Multiple copies of shdocvw.dll

I have 13 copies of shdocvw.dll in various directories dating from 2002 through 2008. NIS2008 has never detected any malware or spyware associated with these files.

I understand that the only one that is essentual is the one in c:\windows\system32.

Should I leave well enough alone or delete all of them except the one in system32?

Also, I have visited Intellisearch and they asked to down load yet another shdocvw.dll.

I refused and the site would not work with out it.

Adware? Spyware? OK?????

 

Although it's interesting how they got scattered all over your drive, they apparently aren't doing any harm and the space they take up is minimal.

But still, if you want to spend the time to get rid of them, I suggest that you rename them first and see if any problems show up over a period of time when you use all your programs. Leave the ones you find at
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\dllcache\
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\
and C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386\.

Rename all others to some unique name that will make it easy to find them with a simple search later. I always rename by placing the original extension in front of the file name and using ZZZ for the renamed extension. That would make your file name become dllshdocvw.zzz after you rename it. That way a search for *.zzz will turn them all up quickly. I know of no other files that have ever used the zzz extension so it's pretty unique and safe to use. You can delete all of them once you are convinced they won't be missed.

BTW, I use the zzz prefix string for renaming Registry keys as well since it's easy to find all my work if/when necessary. It's always safer to rename rather than delete.

As always, keep current backups. Drive images are excellent life savers.

End of novel.

 

Thanks

Thanks, I think I will just leave well enough alone.

 

I'd say that would be the smart thing to do.