How to Fix Missing PROPPGWZ.DLL?

Some users in the Microsoft Support Community encountered the PROPPGWZ.DLL error while trying to install software on their Windows 10/11 computer. PROPPGWZ.DLL, being a rarely-used terminology, you are probably asking yourself what is it and if it can harm your computer? Well, we will answer these questions in the next section, including how to fix PROPPGWZ.DLL errors.

What is PROPPGWZ.DLL?

PROPPGWZ.DLL is a dynamic link library (DLL) from Microsoft, and it is part of the VB 6 Property Page Wizard. Some Windows games and programs may need this file to run smoothly. So, if PROPPGWZ.DLL is missing, you may encounter errors when you open an application. Unfortunately, PROPPGWZ.DLL is an old software that may not work well with newer operating systems. The last released version of this file is the 6.0.0.8169 version.

Can PROPPGWZ.DLL Harm My Computer?

PROPPGWZ.DLL is one of the many computer terms that is hard for many users to know or even trust. Given that most computer users don’t have advanced technical skills, when they spot a file that is out of the ordinary, they tend to get nervous.

So, the short answer to this question is that PROPPGWZ.DLL is not harmful to your computer. In fact, PROPPGWZ.DLL is necessary for some computer programs to run uninterrupted. If it is missing or you erase it from your system, you will not be able to run some applications and games.

However, PROPPGWZ.DLL can also be potentially dangerous if it is paired with a malicious executable file. Typically, PROPPGWZ.DLL provides more instructions for executable files. So, if it hooked with a harmful .exe file, then it will be seen as dangerous in that sense. The good news is that a reliable antivirus program usually detects an infected PROPPGWZ.DLL file.

If you suspect an executable file will cause harm to your computer, you should scan the file together with PROPPGWZ.DLL. Just in case you run them together, you will only worry less about your device getting an infection.

Common Mistakes When Handling .DLL Files

Generally, when you encounter a problem because a particular DLL file is missing, you may be tempted to download the file from the many DLL sites. That is not advisable. The main problem you will run into with downloaded DLLs is that they are obsolete. Most sites offering DLLs get them by just downloading their own or from their users’ computers. The trust is that most of these sites are after traffic.

The other problem is that such DLLs are usually integrated into packages. Usually, an update in one DLL in a package comes with updates to other DLLs in that package. So, in the likelihood that you get an updated DLL file, you will not get related files that have also been updated. Though less common, some downloaded DLLs could also be loaded with viruses, which could harm your PC.

How to Fix the PROPPGWZ.DLL Error?

The best way to get a stable PROPPGWZ.DLL is to get it from the source from which it originated. In most cases, that source could be your Windows installation media, the .Net framework packages, or even the app that came with PROPPGWZ.DLL. Keep in mind that you must download the PROPPGWZ.DLL library before you can install it.

Wasting no time, let’s now explore different ways in which you can fix the PROPPGWZ.DLL error:

Solution 1: Copy the PROPPGWZ.DLL Library to the Windows System Directory

The file you are planning to download is a compressed one with the .zip extension, so you need to extract the dynamic link library from this zip file:

1. To extract it, double click on the .zip file that you downloaded, then open the file.
2. In the window that opens next, you will notice the PROPPGWZ.DLL library, which you need to install.
3. Click on the library you want to select, and then hit the Extract To icon on the upper section of the Zip window. After this, select your desired storage location.
4. Now, copy the PROPPGWZ.DLL library from the desktop, and then paste it into the C:\Windows\System32 directory.
5. If you are running a 64-bit OS, copy the PROPPGWZ.DLL library and transfer it to C:\Windows\sysWOW64 as well.
6. Next, you need to run the Command Prompt as an administrator. To do so, open the search box, type cmd into it, and press Enter. From the list of results, select Command Prompt.
7. When the Command Prompt window appears, execute this command: %windir%\System32\regsvr32.exe /u Proppgwz.dll. It will delete all incorrect registries of the PROPPGWZ.DLL library.
8. If you are running the 64-Bit operating system, you will also need to execute this additional command: %windir%\SysWoW64\regsvr32.exe /u Proppgwz.dll.
9. Now, you need to create a new registry for the dynamic link library to replace the one you deleted from the Windows Registry Editor. To accomplish this task, copy the following command and paste it into the Command Line: %windir%\System32\regsvr32.exe /i Proppgwz.dll.
10. Again, if you are using a 64-bit Windows, execute this command: %windir%\SysWoW64\regsvr32.exe /i Proppgwz.dll.
11. Don’t be bothered if you see some error messages while executing these commands because they will not prevent the installation.

Important Note: Modifying the Registry can be risky if you don’t have enough skills. A minor error can lead to file loss or complete system shutdown. So, if you are afraid of messing things up, you can use the Outbyte PC Repair tool to help you automate the editing tasks.

Solution 2: Copy the PROPPGWZ.DLL Library

1. First, locate the installation directory of the program that is causing the PROPPGWZ.DLL error. To do that, right-click on the program and choose Properties.
2. Next, navigate to the Shortcut tab and click on the Open File Location button.
3. Now, copy the PROPPGWZ.DLL library.
4. After this, paste the copied PROPPGWZ.DLL library into the program’s installation directory.
5. The process will be complete when the DLL file is moved to the program installation directory.

Solution 3: Use the System File Checker

1. Open an elevated Windows Command Prompt by going to the Start menu, type cmd into the search box, and press Enter. After this, choose Command Prompt from the list of results.
2. Once the Command Prompt window opens, type this command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
3. This process can take a while, so you should be patient. When it finishes, try running the program again to see if the error persists.

Solution 4: Clean Install the Program that Is Causing the PROPPGWZ.DLL Error

1. Use the Windows + R shortcut to open the Run dialog box.
2. Next, enter this command into the box and click OK: appwiz.cpl. The command will open the Programs and Features utility.
3. When the Programs and Features window opens, find the programs that are giving you the DLL error. Right-click on it and choose Uninstall.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the program. When done, restart your computer.
5. Now, reinstall the program and check if the problem has been solved.

Solution 5: Update Windows

If nothing else works, try updating your operating system. Some users have resolved DLL errors by just updating their operating systems. To do that, you first need to check if there are any available updated. If available, manually install the latest update packs.

Wrap-Up

When the PROPPGWZ.DLL is missing or outdated, the programs that rely on dynamic link libraries usually give an error. This menace is not limited to external applications alone. Even basic Windows programs and tools that use dynamic link libraries will misbehave. Hopefully, the above guide helped you resolved the PROPPGWZ.DLL error.