UNICOWS.dll: download the file and fix the error

32-bit (x86) Windows system file Scanned by antivirus

UNICOWS.dll is a Windows system file, installed and updated by Windows itself. Its official description: “Microsoft Layer for Unicode on Win9x Systems (MSLU)”, by Microsoft Corporation.

If it is missing or damaged, Windows displays for example: “The program can't start because UNICOWS.dll is missing from your computer.” Two methods can fix the error, below.

Method 1 · quick · about 1 minute

Download only UNICOWS.dll

Ideal if only this file is reported missing: you replace a single file, without reinstalling anything.

⇓ Download UNICOWS.dll .zip file: the DLL + its instructions · downloaded 2,425 times

Version: 1.0.3703.0
Architecture: 32-bit (x86)
Size: 246.42 KB
Publisher: Microsoft Corporation

Then:

Extract UNICOWS.dll from the zip file and copy it to the folder of the program showing the error (where its .exe file is).

System file: copy it only to the folder of the program that shows the error. Never replace the version in C:\Windows; if the error persists, use method 2.

SHA-256: a491c11f667fda3fb3311f6221bca15e4da159df4c12f7a7a0cfbf99f2b7c60b · Check on VirusTotal · Product: Microsoft (R) Windows (R) 95, Windows (R) 98, and Windows (R) Millennium Operating Systems

Other versions of this file: unicows.dll (1.0.4018.0)

Method 2 · complete · official method · 15 to 30 minutes

Repair Windows files (SFC and DISM)

Windows can check and replace its own missing or damaged system files with the official DISM and SFC tools.

Microsoft: System File Checker tool

Open a Command Prompt as administrator: Start menu, type cmd, right-click › Run as administrator.
Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter, wait until it finishes, then type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Restart your computer, then install the updates offered by Windows Update.

Complete guide: Missing Windows system DLL

Error messages related to UNICOWS.dll

The program can't start because UNICOWS.dll is missing.
The program can't start because unicows.dll is missing.
Error loading UNICOWS.dll. The specified module could not be found.
Error loading unicows.dll. The specified module could not be found.
Failed to load UNICOWS.dll
Failed to load unicows.dll

Why does this error occur?

The program expects another version of the file (old program, or designed for another version of Windows).
Damaged system file: crash, power cut, failing disk.
Malware or antivirus that modified or deleted the file.

Other Windows system files

KERNEL32.dll User32.dll XInput1_4.dll comctl32.dll d3d11.dll d3d9.dll dxgi.dll msvcrt.dll shell32.dll winmm.dll

Frequently asked questions

Should I copy UNICOWS.dll to C:\Windows\System32?

No: replacing a system file with another version can prevent Windows from starting. Only copy it to the program’s folder, or repair Windows with SFC and DISM.