How to fix the specified program not found error

The specified process cannot be found error is a problem that some users need to solve on the Windows 11/10 platform. This error often occurs when users try to launch certain applications or during Windows startup. When this problem occurs, this error message pops up:

RunDLL: There was a problem starting [file reference]. The specified procedure could not be found.

Some users have posted on Microsoft's support forums about issues that occur when they try to launch MS Office applications. In a forum post, one user said:

After restarting, my Microsoft Office won't open again. (The program specified by the error message). I can only open all files using My Office cloud.

Therefore, users cannot use the software where this problem occurs. Do you need to fix specified program errors in Windows 11/10? If you do this, you may be able to fix the specified procurement error using the following potential solutions.

What is the error that the specified program cannot be found?

The specified process error is a RunDLL problem related to a DLL (dynamic link library) file. This means that Rundll32.exe cannot access the file specified in the error message. Therefore, software that requires the referenced DLL file cannot start.

So the Unable to find the specified program problem is in some ways similar to the more common DLL missing errors that break Windows. It can be caused by corrupted or missing system or third-party software DLL files.

How to fix specified program errors in Windows 11/10?

1. Run the SFC command line utility

1. Click the taskbar button for the search utility shown in the screenshot below.
   
2. To find the command prompt, enter the keyword cmd in the search text box.
3. SelectRun as Administrator for the command prompt search results.
   
Before starting the SFC scan, enter this command and press
4. Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
   
Then enter this SFC command and press
5. Return: sfc /scannow
   
Wait until the SFC scan reaches the 100% mark and display the result message in the command prompt.

2. Run a malware (antivirus) scan

Double-click
1. Windows Security on the system tray.
   
Select
2. Virus & Threat Protection on the Home tab.
   
Click
3. Scan Options to open more scan settings.
   
Then select the
4. Full Scan radio button shown below.
   
Click Now
5. Scan to start.
   

#You can also scan for malware using third-party utilities like Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes has a free version of its software that you can use to remove malware.

3. Roll Windows back to a previous time

1. Right-click the Start menu’s taskbar button and select Run.
   
2. Open System Restore by entering this command in Run and clicking OK: rstrui
   
3. If there is an option Select a different restore point, select that radio button. Then click Next to continue.
4. Select a restore point to restore Windows to a time before the specified process error occurred on your desktop or laptop. Or, if you're not sure, choose the oldest available restore point.
5. Then click the Next and Finish buttons to restore Windows to the date of your choice.

This method will remove software installed after the restore point you selected. Click "Scan for affected programs" in System Restore to check which software you need to reinstall.

4. Reinstall the software and a specified program error occurs.

1. Start running through the Win X menu (or press the Windows R hotkey).
2. Then enter this Programs and Features command and click OK: appwiz.cpl
   
3. Select the software in which the specified program error occurred and click its Uninstall option.
   
4. After uninstalling the software, click Power and Restart on the Start menu.
   
5. Then reinstall the latest version of the software you just uninstalled.

To ensure that the uninstalled software leaves no residue, it is best to use a third-party uninstaller application such as IObit Uninstaller. IObit Uninstaller includes options for erasing residual files and registry entries left behind after uninstalling a program.

If an error occurs with a built-in application (such as Windows Photos), you will need to reinstall the application using PowerShell. You can enter this PowerShell command to reinstall specific built-in applications:

Add-AppxPackage -register “C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\” –DisableDevelopmentMode

Will resetting Windows 11 fix specified program issues?

Yes, resetting Windows may work as this will at least restore the missing DLL system files. However, resetting Windows also removes any third-party applications that are not preinstalled on your PC. Therefore, this potential fix is ​​only recommended as a last resort.

You can reset Windows using the Reset this PC utility. Our How to reset Windows 11 to its factory settings post provides complete instructions for resetting the platform. Or check out the How to Factory Reset Windows 10 tutorial, which is more specific to the 10, 8.1, and 8 platforms.

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