How to Retrieve .DL_ Files Lost to a Virus or Malware Infection

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .DL_ file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Retrieve .DL_ Files Lost to a Virus or Malware Infection
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .DL_ file?

Compressed .DLL file created by Makecab, a Windows utility used for compressing files and creating .CAB files; often used for storing DLL files on Windows installation CDs so that they take up less space on the disc.

What Are Common Causes of ".DL_" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes for ".DL_" files being lost or failing:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".DL_" files while cleaning up their computer or organizing files.
  2. Software or hardware issues: Errors or malfunctions in software or hardware can lead to the loss or corruption of ".DL_" files. This could include issues with the operating system, file system, or storage devices.
  3. Virus or malware infection: Malicious software can infect and damage files, including ".DL_" files. Viruses or malware can corrupt or delete files, making them inaccessible.
  4. Power outages or system crashes: Unexpected power outages or system crashes can interrupt file operations, leading to the loss or corruption of ".DL_" files.
  5. File system errors: Errors in the file system structure can result in file loss or corruption. This could occur due to improper shutdowns, disk errors, or other system issues.
  6. Human error: Users may accidentally overwrite or move ".DL_" files to different locations, making them difficult to find or causing them to be lost.
  7. Incompatible software or file format: If a software application or operating system does not support the ".DL_" file format, it may fail to open or handle the file correctly.
  8. Physical damage or hardware failure: Physical damage to storage devices, such as hard drives or flash drives, can result in the loss of ".DL_" files. Additionally, hardware failures can lead to data loss if the files are stored on a faulty device.

It is important to regularly back up important files, including ".DL_" files, to prevent data loss and to use reliable antivirus software to protect against malware infections.

How to recover lost ".DL_" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".DL_" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".DL_" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".DL_" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".DL_" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".DL_" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".DL_" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo compressed DLL File image file file?

Programs that open ".DL_" files

Windows
Microsoft Makecab Microsoft Makecab
Microsoft Expand Microsoft Expand

Additional Information

  • File type: Compressed DLL File

  • File extension: .DL_

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Compressed Files

  • Format: Binary

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:43 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .DL_ files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is the purpose of .DL_ file format and how is it used in computer systems?

    The .DL_ file format is typically used for compressed dynamic link libraries (DLLs) in computer systems. DLLs contain code and data that multiple programs can use simultaneously, which helps in reducing redundancy and improving efficiency.

    The purpose of the .DL_ file format is to compress DLL files to save disk space and make it easier to distribute them. These compressed DLL files can be expanded or decompressed using a utility program like Microsoft's Expand.exe.

    When a program needs to use a DLL, it can access the compressed .DL_ file and expand it to its original DLL format. This allows the program to load the necessary functions and data from the DLL into its memory space, enabling it to use the shared code and resources provided by the DLL.

    The use of .DL_ files helps in efficient storage and distribution of DLLs, as they occupy less disk space and can be easily compressed and decompressed as needed.

  • Can you explain the process of compressing and decompressing .DL_ files and the tools or software commonly used for this purpose?

    .DL_ files are compressed files that are typically used for distributing device drivers or other system files in Windows operating systems. The compression and decompression of .DL_ files involve the following steps:

    Compression:

    • The compression process begins with selecting the files or folders that need to be compressed into a .DL_ file.
    • The most commonly used tool for compressing .DL_ files is Microsoft's Makecab utility. It is a command-line tool available in Windows operating systems.
    • Makecab uses a compression algorithm called LZX to compress the files. This algorithm provides high compression ratios and is optimized for compressing executable files.
    • The Makecab utility creates a .CAB file, which is then renamed with the .DL_ extension.

    Decompression:

    • Decompressing a .DL_ file involves reversing the compression process to retrieve the original files.
    • The most commonly used tool for decompressing .DL_ files is the Expand utility, also provided by Microsoft. It is a command-line tool available in Windows operating systems.
    • Expand utility takes the .DL_ file as input and extracts the original .CAB file.
    • Finally, the extracted .CAB file can be opened using various archive managers or extraction tools to access the individual files or folders.

    It is worth mentioning that .DL_ files are specific to Windows operating systems, and the Makecab and Expand utilities are native tools provided by Microsoft. These tools are typically used by system administrators, device manufacturers, or software developers for compressing and distributing files efficiently.

  • Are there any limitations or compatibility issues associated with .DL_ formats, and if so, how can they be overcome?

    Yes, there are limitations and compatibility issues associated with .DL_ formats. The .DL_ format is typically used for compressed files, specifically compressed dynamic-link library (DLL) files on Windows operating systems. The main limitation is that these files need to be decompressed before they can be used.

    Compatibility issues can arise when trying to decompress .DL_ files on non-Windows systems or with older versions of Windows. Since .DL_ files are specific to Windows, they may not be directly compatible with other operating systems like macOS or Linux. Additionally, if you are using an older version of Windows that does not support the compression algorithm used in the .DL_ file, you may encounter compatibility issues.

    To overcome these limitations and compatibility issues, you can follow these steps:

    1. Ensure you are using a Windows operating system: .DL_ files are primarily designed for Windows, so make sure you are using a compatible Windows version.
    2. Use the appropriate decompression tool: To decompress .DL_ files, you need a decompression tool that supports this format. The most common tool is the expand.exe utility, which is included with Windows. You can run the following command in the Command Prompt to decompress a .DL_ file:

    ```

    expand

    ```

    1. Update your Windows version: If you are encountering compatibility issues with an older version of Windows, consider updating to a newer version that supports the compression algorithm used in the .DL_ file.
    2. Explore alternative compression formats: If compatibility with non-Windows systems is a concern, you may consider using alternative compression formats like ZIP or RAR, which are more widely supported across different operating systems.

    By following these steps, you can overcome limitations and compatibility issues associated with .DL_ formats.
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