WLDCore.dll missing; Windows Live Mail won't Start?

Infopackets Reader 'biggrampa' writes:

" Dear Dennis,

Regarding Windows Live Essentials: I have an error message stating that wldcore.dll missing or not found. I have tried to reinstall Windows Live Essentials but it says it is already there, and I have latest version. I have also tried uninstalling using revo uninstaller, but it says that the program cannot be found. When I try to run Windows Live Mail, it says wldcore.dll missing. Any ideas? "

My Response:

Most likely a Windows Registry setting is corrupt and pointing to an invalid location of the wldcore.dll file. To fix the error, you can try a number of solutions listed below in order of preference.

(Also note that the solutions listed below can be generalized and applied to any 'missing DLL error' messages you may receive on your system -- simply replace the phrases "Windows Live Essentials" and "Windows Live Mail" in the instructions below with whatever program you're having problems with).

Solution #1: Download Windows Live Essentials Again

Based on your question, I understand that you have difficulty reinstalling Live Essentials. I'm including this as the first step so that it follows in line with all proceeding solutions in case others are having a similar problem, but circumstances may be different:

1. Go to http://explore.live.com and click the Download Now button

2. Select all the check boxes then click Install

3. Once finished, restart the computer

Try launching Windows Live Mail again. If that doesn't work, try the next solution

Solution #2: Re-register the wldcore.dll and wldlog.dll files

You can try unregistering and then re-registering the misplaced DLL files using an administrative command line. Here are the steps:

1. Click Start and type in 'cmd' (no quotes); do NOT press Enter

2. Right click cmd.exe and select Run As Administrator

3. Copy and paste the following commands:

regsvr32 /u wldcore.dll

regsvr32 /i wldcore.dll

regsvr32 /u wldlog.dll

regsvr32 /i wldlog.dll

exit

Try running Windows Live Mail again. If that doesn't work, try the next solution.

Solution #3: Repair Windows Live Essentials

Oftentimes you can select a 'repair' option from an installed program via the Control Panel. Here are the steps:

1. Click Start -> Control Panel, then click Programs and Features

2. Locate Windows Live Essentials and right click, then choose "Uninstall / Change"

3. On the next dialogue box, select "Repair All Windows Essentials Programs"

4. Click Apply and wait for the process to complete

Try launching Windows Live Mail again. If that doesn't work, try the next solution.

Solution #4: Add the wldcore.dll path to Environment Variables

Sometimes Windows can't find a .DLL if the path isn't explicitly part of the Windows Environment Variables settings. Here's how you can add the path:

1. Click Start and type in 'cmd' (no quotes) and press Enter

2. Copy and paste the following commands:

C:

cd \

dir wldcore.dll /s

Your hard drive will begin searching for the file wldcore.dll. When it finds the file, it will output the location. Note its location; for sake of simplicity (and for the following steps), I will say the path is 'c:\Program Files\Windows Live\Shared', but your path may be different.

Now, proceed with the following steps to add the path to your Environment Variables:

3. Click Start -> My Computer, right click, select Properties

4. Click the Advanced System Settings link on the left

5. Go to the Advanced Tab and select Environment Variables button

6. Under User Variables heading, select Path and click Edit

7. Append the following to the end of the line of Variable value (your path may be different):

;c:\Program Files\Windows Live\Shared

8. Click OK, OK, OK

Try launching Windows Live Mail again. Hopefully by now this should resolve the issue.

Update 20180829: You can also download the wldcore.dll from dlldownloads.com if none of the other solutions are working (use the last download link on the page).