Microsoft Windows DLL dpapi.dll

How to Fix Dpapi.dll DLL Issues and Download Updates

Last Updated: 11/27/2023
[Average Read Time: 4.5 minutes]

dpapi.dll, also known as a Data Protection API file, was created by Microsoft for the development of Microsoft® Windows® Operating System. DLL files fall under under the Win32 DLL (Dynamic link library) file type category.

dpapi.dll was first released for Windows 8 Operating System on 08/01/2012 with Windows 8. The most recent version [file version 10.0.15063.0 (WinBuild.160101.0800)] was introduced on 07/29/2015 for Windows 10. dpapi.dll is found in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 8.

In this article, you will find detailed dpapi.dll information, a DLL file troubleshooting guide, and a list of versions that are available for free download.

File Analysis Provided by Jason Geater (Author)

File Overview

General Information ^✻
File Name:	dpapi.dll
File Extension:	DLL file extension
Description:	Data Protection API
Object File Type:	Dynamic link library
File Operating System:	Windows NT 32-bit
MIME Type:	application/octet-stream
User Popularity Rating:

Developer and Software Information
Software Developer:	Microsoft Corporation
Software Program:	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Legal Copyright:	© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

File Details
Character Set:	Unicode
Language Code:	English (U.S.)
File Flags:	(none)
File Flags Mask:	0x003f
Entry Point:	0x1d90
Code Size:	8192

View Other dpapi.dll Information

File Info	Description
File Size:	13 kB
File Modification Date/Time:	2017:03:18 18:19:20+00:00
File Inode Change Date/Time:	2017:11:05 07:07:54+00:00
File Type:	Win32 DLL
MIME Type:	application/octet-stream
Warning:	Possibly corrupt Version resource
Machine Type:	Intel 386 or later, and compatibles
Time Stamp:	2026:10:15 06:06:23+00:00
PE Type:	PE32
Linker Version:	14.10
Code Size:	8192
Initialized Data Size:	4608
Uninitialized Data Size:	0
Entry Point:	0x1d90
OS Version:	10.0
Image Version:	10.0
Subsystem Version:	10.0
Subsystem:	Windows command line
File Version Number:	10.0.15063.0
Product Version Number:	10.0.15063.0
File Flags Mask:	0x003f
File Flags:	(none)
File OS:	Windows NT 32-bit
Object File Type:	Dynamic link library
File Subtype:	0
Language Code:	English (U.S.)
Character Set:	Unicode
Company Name:	Microsoft Corporation
File Description:	Data Protection API
File Version:	10.0.15063.0 (WinBuild.160101.0800)
Internal Name:	dpapi.dll
Legal Copyright:	© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Original Filename:	dpapi.dll
Product Name:	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Product Version:	10.0.15063.0

^✻ Portions of file data provided by Exiftool (Phil Harvey) distributed under the Perl Artistic License.

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What are dpapi.dll Error Messages?

Dynamic Link Library dpapi.dll Errors

dpapi.dll is considered a type of Dynamic Link Library (DLL) file. Dynamic Link Library files, like dpapi.dll, are essentially a "guide book" that stores information and instructions for executable (EXE) files - like sapisvr.exe - to follow. These files were created so that multiple programs (eg. Windows) could share the same dpapi.dll file, saving valuable memory allocation, therefore making your computer run more efficiently.

Unfortunately, what makes DLL files so convenient and efficient, also makes them extremely vulnerable to problems. If something happens to a shared DLL file, either it goes missing or gets corrupted in some way, it can generate a "runtime" error message. Runtime is pretty self-explanatory; it means that these errors are triggered when dpapi.dll is attempted to be loaded either when Windows is starting up, or in some cases already running. Some of the most common dpapi.dll errors include:

Access Violation at address - dpapi.dll.
dpapi.dll could not be found.
Cannot find C:\Windows\System32\dpapi.dll.
Cannot register dpapi.dll.
Cannot start Windows. A required component is missing: dpapi.dll. Please install Windows again.
Failed to load dpapi.dll.
The application has failed to start because dpapi.dll was not found.
The file dpapi.dll is missing or corrupt.
This application failed to start because dpapi.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.

Your dpapi.dll file could be missing due to accidental deletion, uninstalled as a shared file of another program (shared with Windows), or deleted by a malware infection. Furthermore, dpapi.dll file corruption could be caused from a power outage when loading Windows, system crash while loading dpapi.dll, bad sectors on your storage media (usually your primary hard drive), or quite commonly, a malware infection. Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.

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How to Fix dpapi.dll Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your dpapi.dll issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.

Step 1: Restore your PC back to the latest restore point, "snapshot", or backup image before error occurred.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

Hit the Windows Start button
When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
In the search results, find and click System Restore.
Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the dpapi.dll error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

Step 2: Run SFC (System File Checker) to restore the corrupt or missing dpapi.dll file.

System File Checker is a utility included with every Windows version that allows you scan and restore corrupted system files. Use the SFC tool to fix missing or corrupt dpapi.dll files (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

Hit the Windows Start button
In the search box, type "cmd" but DO NOT PRESS "ENTER".
Press and hold "CTRL-Shift" on your keyboard while pressing "ENTER".
You'll be prompted with a permission dialog box.
In the box, click "YES".
You should have a black screen with a blinking cursor.
In that black screen, type "sfc /scannow" and hit "ENTER".
SFC will begin scanning for dpapi.dll issues and any other system file problems.
Follow any on-screen commands to complete the process.

Please be aware that this scan might take a while, so please be patient while it is working.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

sfc /scannow

Step 3: Perform a Windows Update.

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many dpapi.dll error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

Hit the Windows Start button
In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the dpapi.dll error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.

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If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your dpapi.dll File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate dpapi.dll file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free dpapi.dll files for every applicable version of Windows. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download dpapi.dll Files".
Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
Copy the file into the appropriate directory for your Windows version:

Windows 8: C:\Windows\System32\
Windows 8.1: C:\Windows\System32\
Windows 10: C:\Windows\System32\

Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows 10.

GEEK TIP : We must emphasize that reinstalling Windows will be a very time-consuming and advanced task to resolve dpapi.dll problems. To avoid data loss, you must be sure that you have backed-up all of your important documents, pictures, software installers, and other personal data before beginning the process. If you are not currently backing up your data, you need to do so immediately.

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Download dpapi.dll Files (Malware-Tested 100% Clean)

CAUTION : We strongly advise against downloading and copying dpapi.dll to your appropriate Windows system directory. Microsoft typically does not release Windows DLL files for download because they are bundled together inside of a software installer. The installer's task is to ensure that all correct verifications have been made before installing and placing dpapi.dll and all other DLL files for Windows. An incorrectly installed DLL file may create system instability and could cause your program or operating system to stop functioning altogether. Proceed with caution.

Windows 10

File Name

Software Version

File Version

Architecture

dpapi.dll

10.0.15063.0

10.0.15063.0 (WinBuild.160101.0800)

64-bit (x64)

Expand for Detailed File Information +

OS Version:	Windows 10
Software:	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Software Version:	10.0.15063.0
File Version:	10.0.15063.0 (WinBuild.160101.0800)
File Size:	13312
File Date:	03/18/2017
MD5 Checksum:	efafd51012dd5aeaf113ae3322fcf991
SHA1 Checksum:	142a6dfecc1b4d6c0ffcec2928ba1fbb048f8df7
SHA256 Checksum:	6d985ad5ce05355df79d7da8e3a7b0b306714f1bdc9ee1a5e2341326bb79b40f
CRC32:
File Directory Location:	C:\Windows\System32\

File Version, System, and Machine Information
File Type:	Win32 DLL
Image Version:	10.0
Initialized Data Size:	4608
Linker Version:	14.10
Machine Type:	Intel 386 or later, and compatibles
PE Type:	PE32
Subsystem:	Windows command line
Subsystem Version:	10.0
File Modification Date/Time:	03/18/2017

Windows 8.1

File Name

Software Version

File Version

Architecture

dpapi.dll

6.3.9600.17415

6.3.9600.17415 (winblue_r4.141028-1500)

64-bit (x64)

Expand for Detailed File Information +

OS Version:	Windows 8.1
Software:	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Software Version:	6.3.9600.17415
File Version:	6.3.9600.17415 (winblue_r4.141028-1500)
File Size:	12800
File Date:	11/21/2014
MD5 Checksum:	65a6f9a2826d8de0f92431043851b85f
SHA1 Checksum:	b98161a1e59a2f57b89fde53d9cbfc059842b4d3
SHA256 Checksum:	4445d1fe2e029080a6ea8bea53ed6a574bbceceb644c0d9b488387a8bb0d1c12
CRC32:
File Directory Location:	C:\Windows\System32\

File Version, System, and Machine Information
File Type:	Win32 DLL
Image Version:	6.3
Initialized Data Size:	4608
Linker Version:	11.0
Machine Type:	Intel 386 or later, and compatibles
PE Type:	PE32
Subsystem:	Windows command line
Subsystem Version:	6.3
File Modification Date/Time:	11/21/2014

Windows 8

File Name

Software Version

File Version

Architecture

dpapi.dll

6.2.9200.16384

6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247)

64-bit (x64)

Expand for Detailed File Information +

OS Version:	Windows 8
Software:	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Software Version:	6.2.9200.16384
File Version:	6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247)
File Size:	10752
File Date:	07/26/2012
MD5 Checksum:	64e93ed82eb4a29208b862a3f592ca36
SHA1 Checksum:	3e4e97732b87ca0df9042cc4a586ee6d355737d6
SHA256 Checksum:	b16203f2f06d6b1d7eb85a086edaaa1298550fd50763d4498b93a0b208048857
CRC32:
File Directory Location:	C:\Windows\System32\

File Version, System, and Machine Information
File Type:	Win32 DLL
Image Version:	6.2
Initialized Data Size:	4096
Linker Version:	10.10
Machine Type:	Intel 386 or later, and compatibles
PE Type:	PE32
Subsystem:	Windows command line
Subsystem Version:	6.2
File Modification Date/Time:	07/26/2012

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Files Related to dpapi.dll

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File Name	Description	Software Program (Version)	File Size (bytes)	File Location
kerberos.dll	Kerberos Security Package	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (6.0.6002.18005)	654848	C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\
authui.dll	Windows Authentication UI	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (6.2.9200.16384)	2033152	C:\Windows\Boot\EFI\uk-UA\
Windows.Media.Streamin...	DLNA DLL	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (12.0.9200.16384)	995328	C:\Windows\System32\
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Other Files Related to dpapi.dll

File Name	Description	Software Program (Version)	File Size (bytes)	File Location
OneX_v1.xsd	XML Schema Definition	Windows 8.1	5957	C:\Windows\L2Schemas\
WWAN_profile_v1.xsd	XML Schema Definition	Windows 7	6201	C:\Windows\L2Schemas\
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WLANAP_profile_v1.xsd	XML Schema Definition	Windows 7	7504	C:\Windows\L2Schemas\
WLANAP_profile_v1.xsd	XML Schema Definition	Windows 8.1	7548	C:\Windows\L2Schemas\

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