Fix Error Loading: C:\Windows\System32\Shell32.dll Access Is Denied Problem
Recently, my computer started behaving weird. Some tasks never started and launching any Control Panel applet brought this weird error dialog that displayed: “Error Loading: C:\WINDOWS\system32\shell32.dll Access is Denied”.

I was really annoyed and started hunting down what exactly caused the problem. I thought my computer was infected with spyware. I ran a scan using Spyware Doctor and thank God! There wasn’t any spyware in my computer.

Now, I badly wanted to fix this error and I found out the solution to “Error Loading: C:\Windows\System32\Shell32.dll” in a matter of minutes.
You’ve got Comodo Firewall and/or Antivirus installed on your computer? That is the application that’s causing this weird error to occur. All you need to do is right click on the Comodo Firewall icon in your system tray, go to Defense + Security Level and choose Disabled.

The error dialog should no longer appear because we’ve disabled the Firewall settings that was causing the dialog to pop up. Let me know in the comments if you need any help!
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Thanks for the info. I think i have seen similar errors in some of my friend’s PCs.
deb
25 May 09 at 5:48 pm
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26 May 09 at 5:24 am
I was having a huge problem with error loading windows system 32\shell 32.dll and couldn’t open several programs as a result. I stumbled upon your salution and tries it and BANG, problem solved. Thanks soooo much
Jon
15 Jul 09 at 10:27 pm
I think you’re throwing out the baby with the bath water………sort of crippling a valuable function of the firewall……all one has to do is access defense+ security settings, advanced, and change the predefined SS to limited or any other setting that is applicable…….problem solved…..next time you have a problem with a specific program, go to the forums for THAT program instead of accepting a counter-productive hack solution which will leave you vulnerable.
B.A.Miron
14 Aug 09 at 2:09 am
@BA Miron– I was having a terrible time with this error loading–Sure enough it was Comodo Defense. I would rather do anything other than try and wade thru the endless quandry of the Comodo forums. Trying to find anything in the Comodo forums is HELL! I dumped COmodo altogether and found another firewall/antiv package. How is that for a hack?
MarkD
24 Oct 09 at 4:39 pm
Genial!
Max
4 Nov 09 at 4:02 pm
Spot on! Thanks!
Jose
2 Dec 09 at 9:39 pm
Thanks alot bro, ive been trying to fix that for weeks! your my hero j/k
Jru
12 Jan 10 at 11:07 am
Thank you! I recently loaded Comodo after having a virus….and by disabling the Defense and Security level I can now access applications that were giving me the error code. Question: Have I compromised my security by changing that setting?
Glenda
26 Mar 10 at 12:57 am
Thank you so much! I have been banging my head against a brick wall trying to solve this problem. I had this problem ever since I upgraded to Windows 7. I hope other people are able to find this and I’ve posted a link on Microsoft Answers.
Finally, I’d like to echo Glenda’s comments, is there anyway to keep Comodo turned on? Or do I have to turn it on and off as necessary/get a different security package?
James
24 Jun 10 at 11:09 pm
Thanks man! I almost pulled my hair off googling and trying out solutions that didnt work till I found yours…
P n S
27 Jun 10 at 8:49 pm
Try dumping Comodo and switching to Microsoft Security Essentials..
Xun
18 Jul 10 at 9:27 am
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you !
John
22 Jul 10 at 11:28 pm