BTRegSvr

DLLs and OCXs are libraries that Windows and some third-party applications need to work properly. If you encounter errors about missing libraries with this format, you can download the files from various online services and register them. This way, you can resolve the issues and run the Windows tools or other programs you're interested in.

Registering DLL or OCX files is a fairly simple job, requiring you to fire up Command Prompt or another console utility as well as to enter the /regsvr32 command and the file name and extension of the library.

If this task fails, one solution is to run the console program with administrative rights. Some users might lose sight of this aspect. To avoid this, you can turn to BTRegSvr.

The difference between this app and the method we previously described is that it applies administrative rights from the start, so you don't have to remember this when trying to register libraries.

Unfortunately, BTRegSvr doesn't come wrapped in a graphical user interface. Just like the Windows built-in regsvr32 command, it makes use of the console environment and asks you to enter the file name and extension of the DLL or OCX library you're trying to register.

The downloaded archive contains two executable files corresponding to 32-bit and 64-bit Windows. Make sure to run the one that matches your computer's architecture.

There is no actual setup involved, and double-clicking one of the exes shows a popup message with the command-line syntax and which tells you to enter the name of a binary.

Next, you can copy the target library file in BTRegSvr's directory, open Command Prompt in this location (hold down Shift while right-clicking to pick this entry from the context menu), then type BTRegSvr32.exe (or BTRegSvr.exe) and the file name and extension of the DLL.

It's also possible to unregister the library if it already exists in the system registry (/u switch) as well as to run BTRegSvr without any messages (/s switch). Note that, if you have User Account Control enabled, you will be prompted by Windows to allow the program's permission using administrative rights.

This means that it's not possible to run BTRegSvr if you're not the administrator of the computer, since system registry modifications cannot be made by non-admin PC users.

BTRegSvr has little to offer. Besides the fact that it spares you the trouble of remembering the /regsvr32 command for registering and unregistering libraries, it happens to apply administrator rights if you forget about this aspect.

It would've been more practical if it came wrapped in a graphical interface, especially for users who aren't familiarized with the console environment.