Are you a hardcore PC gamer? If yes, then you are probably familiar with various error messages that pop up on your screen. But if not, don’t worry because we’ve got your back. In this article, we will share with you everything that we know about one particular file that is known to trigger PC game-related error messages: wtsapi32.dll.
About Wtsapi32.dll
Wtsapi32.dll is a part of the Microsoft Windows operating system. It is developed by Microsoft as a part of the Windows Terminal Server SDK APIs.
This file is usually called upon by games and applications. If it is missing, you may come across various error messages, such as the following:
- Wtsapi32.dll is missing
- Wtsapi32.dll crashed
- Wtsapi32.dll error loading
- Wtsapi32.dll was not found
- Wtsapi32.dll access violation
- Wtsapi32.dll could not be located
- The procedure entry point wtsapi32.dll is missing
- Cannot find wtsapi32.dll
- Cannot register wtsapi32.dll
Should Wtsapi32.dll Be Removed?
Now that you know that the wtsapi32.dll can cause problems on your PC, do you think it should be removed? Is wtsapi32.dll harmful?
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As mentioned, the wtsapi32.dll file is a part of the Windows operating system. This means it should not be removed or deleted.
However, it seems that cybercriminals have found some loopholes in this file that they were able to step up their game and exploit this useful DLL. They hijacked the file, using it to make the Youndoo.com website appear in an infected computer’s browser.
Once on the website, a Youndoo redirect virus creates a fake version of the DLL file and stores it in the application folder of the browser. When a user double-clicks on the fake file, it will start with its malicious acts.
If you don’t remove the fake DLL file, there is a chance that more damages will be incurred. The worst that could possibly happen is that your PC might no longer start up properly.
How to Remove a Fake Wtsapi32.dll?
We do not recommend deleting a legitimate wtsapi32.dll file because it’s part of the Windows OS. What we suggest that you should do is to remove the fake one. So, how do you remove a malicious Wtsapi32.dll on your PC?
Method #1: Reboot Your PC
When it comes to fixing problems with DLL files, the first thing that you should do is to reboot your PC. Often times, a simple reboot is all it takes to handle a situation like this.
Method #2: Use an Anti-Malware Tool
Your Windows PC already has a built-in tool that checks for any intrusion of malware entities. It is called Windows Defender. While it can be relied on at all times, you have to take note that new malware strains are introduced every now and then. So, if you haven’t updated your OS yet, it is possible that viruses and other malicious components can pass through Defender.
What we suggest that you do is to install an effective third-party anti-malware tool that can scan your PC for any dangerous entities.
Method #3: Perform a System Restore
For this method, you need to spend a bit of time to remove the fake DLL and recover the original one. And yes, this may sound like a tricky fix, but it’s worth a try. Also, we suggest that you relax because the System Restore feature of your Windows OS will make the process easier and more straightforward for you.
Here’s how:
- Go to the Start menu.
- Into the search box, input System Restore and hit Enter.
- Select Restore System Files and Settings.
- Hit Next to continue.
- Choose a desired restore point from the list.
- Click the Scan for affected programs option. This will give you an idea about what changes will take happen to other apps and device drivers.
- Confirm by clicking OK.
- The system restore process will start. Expect your PC to restart every now and then. This may take a while, but it can definitely resolve your problem and get rid of the problematic DLL file.
Summary
Before you remove the wtsapi32.dll, make sure you are dealing with a malicious one. Remember that deleting a legitimate file might only cause more problems in the long run.
If you do not know what files or processes you are dealing with, you may run a quick scan using a PC repair tool. It can check your system files and identify those that can be used by cybercriminals as loopholes and perform nasty activities.