iertutil.dll was not found error. Cannot start Windows XP

This is becoming a more common problem on Windows XP PCs. It appears to have been corrupted by a faulty update.

To fix the issue, press CTRL-ALT-DEL at the blank screen and start the task manager. From the Task Manager, select File, New Task (Run).

In the Task windows, type CMD, then press the OK button.

The error message will appear a few more times, but the Command Prompt will eventually appear.

From the command prompt, type CD C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DLLCACHE

Then type COPY IERTUTIL.DLL ..

This will copy the correct version of iertutil.dll to the C:\Windows\System32 folder.

If the file is not found, you can type in DIR C:\WINDOWS\IERTUTIL.DLL /S

A list of files and locations will show up. You can copy the files from any of those folders.

After this, reboot the system and the problem showld be fixed.

11 thoughts on “iertutil.dll was not found error. Cannot start Windows XP”

    1. If you do the DIR C:\WINDOWS\IERTUTIL.DLL /S command, and no files are found, then this may not be your problem, or you may not have IE v7 or higher installed.

  1. Hello,
    I found files, but could you please explain when you said “You can copy the files from any of those folders”
    How to copy them?
    Thanks
    Esad

  2. Thanks so much for this been trying to find the solution for this and yours is the only one that worked for me. Thanks so much was going to buy a new laptop. Life saver

  3. So, I have the message box appear stating this application has failed to start because idtuti.doll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem. Behind is another message box with RUNDLL as the heading but cannot see it as the mouse and keyboard will not work, I can use the keyboard in initial start up of the computer but once the Windows XP screen appears, nothing. How can I fix this if I cannot use the mouse/keyboard to click/type?

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