McAfee, Inc. McAfee Total Protection DLL HWAPI.dll

Fixing DLL Errors: HWAPI.dll Download and Repair

Last Updated: 11/27/2023
[Time Required for Reading: 3.5 minutes]

McAfee HackerWatch files such as HWAPI.dll utilize the DLL file extension. This file is considered a Win64 DLL (Dynamic link library) file, and was first created by McAfee, Inc. for the McAfee HackerWatch software package.

The first release in the Windows 10 Operating System for HWAPI.dll was on 08/29/2019 inside McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20). According to our records, this is the primary and most recent file release from McAfee, Inc..

In this article, you will find detailed HWAPI.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:	HWAPI.dll
File Extension:	DLL file extension
Description:	McAfee HackerWatch
Object File Type:	Dynamic link library
File Operating System:	Win32
MIME Type:	application/octet-stream
User Popularity Rating:

Developer and Software Information
Software Developer:	McAfee, LLC.
Software Program:	McAfee HackerWatch
Legal Copyright:	Copyright © 2019 McAfee, LLC.

File Details
Character Set:	Windows, Latin1
Language Code:	English (U.S.)
File Flags:	(none)
File Flags Mask:	0x003f
Entry Point:	0x5dae4
Code Size:	605696

View Other HWAPI.dll Information

File Info	Description
File Size:	942 kB
File Modification Date/Time:	2020:01:13 14:07:21+00:00
File Type:	Win64 DLL
MIME Type:	application/octet-stream
Machine Type:	AMD AMD64
Time Stamp:	2019:06:12 06:12:37+00:00
PE Type:	PE32+
Linker Version:	14.0
Code Size:	605696
Initialized Data Size:	354816
Uninitialized Data Size:	0
Entry Point:	0x5dae4
OS Version:	6.0
Image Version:	0.0
Subsystem Version:	6.0
Subsystem:	Windows GUI
File Version Number:	19.0.120.0
Product Version Number:	19.0.120.0
File Flags Mask:	0x003f
File Flags:	(none)
File OS:	Win32
Object File Type:	Dynamic link library
File Subtype:	0
Language Code:	English (U.S.)
Character Set:	Windows, Latin1
Company Name:	McAfee, LLC.
File Description:	McAfee HackerWatch
File Version:	19.0.120.0
Legal Copyright:	Copyright © 2019 McAfee, LLC.
Product Name:	McAfee HackerWatch
Product Version:	19.0.120.0

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

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What are HWAPI.dll Error Messages?

Dynamic Link Library HWAPI.dll Errors

HWAPI.dll is considered a type of Dynamic Link Library (DLL) file. Dynamic Link Library files, like HWAPI.dll, are essentially a "guide book" that stores information and instructions for executable (EXE) files - like Setup.exe - to follow. These files were created so that multiple programs (eg. McAfee Total Protection) could share the same HWAPI.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 HWAPI.dll is attempted to be loaded either when McAfee Total Protection is starting up, or in some cases already running. Some of the most common HWAPI.dll errors include:

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

Your HWAPI.dll file could be missing due to accidental deletion, uninstalled as a shared file of another program (shared with McAfee Total Protection), or deleted by a malware infection. Furthermore, HWAPI.dll file corruption could be caused from a power outage when loading McAfee Total Protection, system crash while loading HWAPI.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 HWAPI.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 HWAPI.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 HWAPI.dll error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

Step 2: If recently installed McAfee Total Protection (or related software), uninstall then try reinstalling McAfee Total Protection software.

You can uninstall McAfee Total Protection software by following these instructions (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

Hit the Windows Start button
In the search box, type "Uninstall" and press "ENTER".
In the search results, find and click "Add or Remove Programs"
Find the entry for McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20) and click "Uninstall"
Follow the prompts for uninstallation.

After the software has been fully uninstalled, restart your PC and reinstall McAfee Total Protection software.

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

McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)

McAfee, Inc.

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 HWAPI.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 HWAPI.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 HWAPI.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 HWAPI.dll file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free HWAPI.dll files for every applicable version of McAfee Total Protection. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download HWAPI.dll Files".
Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
Copy this file to the appropriate McAfee Total Protection folder location:

Windows 10: C:\Program Files\Common Files\McAfee\HackerWatch\
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 HWAPI.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 HWAPI.dll Files (Malware-Tested 100% Clean)

CAUTION : We strongly advise against downloading and copying HWAPI.dll to your appropriate Windows system directory. McAfee, Inc. typically does not release McAfee Total Protection 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 HWAPI.dll and all other DLL files for McAfee Total Protection. An incorrectly installed DLL file may create system instability and could cause your program or operating system to stop functioning altogether. Proceed with caution.

McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)

McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)

File Name

Software Version

File Version

Architecture

HWAPI.dll

19.0.120.0

19.0.120.0

64-bit (x64)

Expand for Detailed File Information +

OS Version:	Windows 10
Software:	McAfee HackerWatch
Software Version:	19.0.120.0
File Version:	19.0.120.0
File Size:	964744
File Date:	01/13/2020
MD5 Checksum:	05f644b086c163c4759c5f251f3535bf
SHA1 Checksum:	83b130099a70a10c11aed553eead576648a16883
SHA256 Checksum:	a134b6d9b3b34234b4e14beda99f77f92274146db676ee66a0eb8a62c36d06c8
CRC32:
File Directory Location:	C:\Program Files\Common Files\McAfee\HackerWatch\

File Version, System, and Machine Information
File Type:	Win64 DLL
Image Version:	0.0
Initialized Data Size:	354816
Linker Version:	14.0
Machine Type:	AMD AMD64
PE Type:	PE32+
Subsystem:	Windows GUI
Subsystem Version:	6.0
File Modification Date/Time:	01/13/2020

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Files Related to HWAPI.dll

DLL Files Related to HWAPI.dll

File Name	Description	Software Program (Version)	File Size (bytes)	File Location
mcvsoutil.dll	McAfee VirusScan Utility	McAfee Cloud AV (22,5,0,0)	1737496	C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\WMI\
HcThe.dll	McAfee HIP Thin Hook Environment	McAfee Host Intrusion Prevention (8.0.0.4719)	38184	C:\Windows\System32\sru\
api-ms-win-crt-utility...	ApiSet Stub DLL	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (10.0.17134.12)	11624	C:\Users\Tester\AppData\Local\
api-ms-win-core-util-l...	ApiSet Stub DLL	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (10.0.17134.12)	11112	C:\Windows\inf\
Resource.dll	McAfee WebAdvisor	McAfee WebAdvisor (4,1,0,0)	303816	C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\

Other Files Related to HWAPI.dll

File Name	Description	Software Program (Version)	File Size (bytes)	File Location
setupact.log	Log	McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)	217108	C:\Windows\Logs\DPX\
setupact.log	Log	McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)	62521	C:\Windows\Panther\UnattendGC\
SA.DAT	Game Data	McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)	6	C:\WINDOWS\Tasks\
api-ms-win-core-heap-l...	ApiSet Stub DLL	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (10.0.17134.12)	11112	C:\Users\Tester\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDriv...
EtwRTEventLog-System.etl	Microsoft Event Trace Log	McAfee Total Protection 2019 (16.0 R20)	432	C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\WMI\RtBackup\

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