What is Dld.exe? Should I Uninstall it?

If you’ve ever stumbled upon a mysterious file named DLD.exe on your Windows system, you’re not alone. The DLD.exe file is the executable for an app called Download Direct by SenBit. If you don’t know anything about it, you have probably installed it by mistake in another software bundle. Whichever it is, you may safely remove it because it’s not a Windows System file.

How do I identify and uninstall Dld.exe?

1. Identify and check the DLD.exe process

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
2. Click on the Processes tab to see all running processes.
3. Look for DLD.exe in the list of processes.
4. If found, right-click on DLD.exe and select Properties to check the file location and other details.
5. If it’s in the C:\Program Files\download direct folder, it is legitimate. You can still close its process if you’re in Task Manager.

This process helps you identify whether the DLD.exe running on your system is legitimate or potentially harmful by verifying its location and details.

2. Uninstall Download Direct (if identified as DLD.exe)

1. Open the Start menu, type Control Panel in the search bar and press Enter.
2. In the Control Panel, click on Programs and then Programs and Features.
3. Locate Download Direct in the list of installed programs.
4. Click on Download Direct and then click on Uninstall.

Uninstalling Download Direct removes the software associated with DLD.exe, which is a download accelerator that can be safely removed if causing issues. To check if it’s completely uninstalled, go to C:\Program Files\download direct in File Explorer and manually delete potentially remaining files.

3. Use security software to scan for malware

Even though you identified that Download Direct is a legitimate software, it’s still worth scanning your PC with Windows Defender, and, even better, with a third-party antivirus.

If any threats are found, follow the software’s instructions to quarantine or remove the malware.

Using security software ensures any instance of DLD.exe or related files that might be malware is detected and removed, securing your computer.

4. Manual cleanup of unnecessary files

1. Open the Start menu and type cleanmgr in the search bar, then press Enter to open Disk Cleanup.
2. Select the drive you want to clean (usually C:) and click OK.
3. Check the file types you want to delete, such as temporary files and system files, and click OK to delete them.

Regularly cleaning your system of unnecessary files, including old program files like DLD.exe, helps maintain system performance and prevents potential issues related to cluttered storage.

Is Dld.exe safe?

Right now, it’s not on any antivirus list for any malicious actions, but as with any other software, if you downloaded it from an unsafe website, it might be infected, so you need to take every precaution possible.

DLD is also associated with Digital Line Detect which is a tool that came with old DELL ;laptops and enabled Conexant or Broadcom modem drivers. However, its executable file is Dlg.exe. If you find it, you may also remove it by using the solutions above.

By following these steps, you can ensure that DLD.exe is properly managed on your system, whether it’s a legitimate file or a potential threat. Always keep your system clean and secure to avoid future issues.

We also have a complete guide on how to clean the Applications Data folder on Windows 11 and make sure it’s nothing there you don’t want or need.

Did Dld.exe keeps bothering you? Let us know in the comments below.