Member Avatar for Member #2466

Browsing through this forum today, I noticed many people have a problem with bridge.dll causing various errors in windows. So, instead of responding to every single thread, I thought I might put a solution to this dilemma in one post to streamline things a bit. So here goes.
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First off, bridge.dll is related. To get rid of spyware, there are handy tools that you will need.
programs to help stop Spyware
Bitdefender online virus scan

The two most popular are Ad-aware and Spybot S&D (search and destroy). For help with setting these up refer to: How to Setup Ad-aware & Spybot

Make sure you do a detailed scan with the software and remove as much spyware as you can. This will catch the bridge.dll problem. However, this is a sticky problem and usually won't go away. Even after the scan and removal, the bridge.dll error may still pop up during boot time. If you are still receiving this error, it is due to the fact that a registry key has been added to windows by the spyware that installed itself onto your computer. So now when windows boots up, it is still looking for bridge.dll to run and can't find it because you removed it with your spyware scan!

We can get rid of this pesky error by using notepad and the registry. I'll step you through it.

REGEDIT4
 
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"RunDLL"=-

Cut and paste the text above in the code box into a notepad file onto your desktop. Unsure how to get to notepad? Go to start, Run, then type 'notepad' and hit return. That will pop up a notepad window that you can cut and paste the above code into. Save it to your desktop...it doesn't matter what you name it. Save the file. Now double click it and it will ask you if you want to add this value to your registry. Accept the change and reboot. Your bridge.dll problem should be history! Good Luck!

happy Spyware hunting!

TKS

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by cherokee92

Dani AI

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Good start by — the .reg approach removes the leftover startup reference that causes the RunDLL error, and ’s trouble saving the file is exactly the kind of Windows quirk you see when extensions are hidden (the file can end up named bridge.reg.txt even though it looks like bridge.reg). If a double-click still opens it as text, enable showing file extensions in Explorer and try again. (learn.microsoft.com)

If the message keeps coming back the underlying issue is persistence: the adware often plants entries in multiple autostart locations (Run keys, scheduled tasks, services, BHOs, ActiveX). Use Autoruns (Sysinternals) to enumerate every autostart location and remove any entries that reference bridge or the missing DLL — it’s safer and more thorough than hunting a single key. Back up the registry before making changes, or use msconfig first if you’re uneasy. (learn.microsoft.com)

Run a modern on‑demand scanner (for example Malwarebytes and AdwCleaner), reboot to Safe Mode or use rescue media to delete stubborn files, and check Internet Explorer’s Downloaded Program Files / View Objects for any Bridge ActiveX to remove. Do not “fix” this by downloading a random copy of bridge.dll from a DLL site — that often makes things worse because the file is part of adware. (malwarebytes.com)

Important cleanup final steps: clear old System Restore points (Disk Cleanup → Clean up system files → More Options → Clean up) and then create a fresh restore point so snapshots can’t reintroduce the file. Quick checklist: (1) update and run a full antimalware scan, (2) run Autoruns and remove any bridge-related entries, (3) delete the file from Safe Mode or offline media, (4) clean restore points and make a fresh one. If the file regenerates, consider an offline rescue scan or professional help. (learn.microsoft.com)

Thanks to for the simple starter fix and to / for highlighting common pitfalls — the problem is usually straightforward once the persistence points are found and removed.

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Member Avatar for crunchie

Doesn't work for me. It just opens as a text document.

Member Avatar for Member #2466

dats cuz i forgot an important step :P fixed it now. Hadn't had my coffee yet :)

In the above post (which I can't edit for some reason) I forgot to explain this step:

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Before double clicking the text file you have pasted the code to on the desktop...rename it. Right click on the file, choose rename, and rename it, bridge.reg (important to use .reg).

Now double click the file and accept the changes.
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I would like to ask that a moderator to edit my post above to eliminate confusion.

Member Avatar for crunchie

Still opens as txt file. BTW I don't have the bridge problem, just trying your fix.

Member Avatar for Member #2466

Hrmm..

Ok...try 'save as' and save it as bridge.reg onto the desktop. Be sure to save it with the option of 'all files' instead of saving it in text format (should be the second pull down box when the 'save as' window pops up. That should work...if it doesn't, I have no idea why. It works fine on the Win2000 pewters here. *shrug*

Member Avatar for crunchie

I had to go to Start\Programs\Accessories\Notepad paste the regedit in, name it ***.reg, save as *all files* & now it works. For some reason I couldn't change the original one I created. Shrugs.

Member Avatar for cherokee92 
BAD BOY :evil: 

Ok I am Cherokee92 and joined cuz I know nothing and followed your before coffee. So [EMAIL=Moonsblu@hotmail.com]Email Me Here[/EMAIL] you coffee druggie and tell me how to take the bad one out of the registry.... :lol: ...Okkkk    :rolleyes: I don't know how. Course I drink coffee too with my soboxone in the morning too. Big Hugs & Kisses
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