"Msnls.dll Cannot Be Found" Error Message When Browsing with AOL Software (250542)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
This article was previously published under Q250542

SYMPTOMS

When you browse the Internet with Internet Explorer on your Windows NT-based computer and America Online (AOL) as your Internet Service Provider (ISP), you may periodically receive the following error message:
msnls.dll cannot be found.
Also, the Msnls.dll file cannot be located on your AOL or Windows NT installation media.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if you are using an out of date version of the AOL software. Older versions of the AOL software periodically try to use the Msnls.dll file included with Internet Explorer version 3.x.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, obtain and install version 5.0 (or later) of the AOL software. For information about how to do so, contact AOL.

NOTE: AOL does not support running the AOL software on Windows NT-based computers, but the current version of their software does not require use of the Msnls.dll file.

WORKAROUND

Another way to resolve this issue is to create a "dummy" file. You can create a "dummy" file and add it to the system directory of NT (normally winnt\system). To do this, do one of these methods:
  1. Create a new file on the system directory of NT:
    • Navigate to and open Notepad on your computer.
    • Add some sample text to the body of the Notepad file.
    • Select File, and save as Msnls.dll.
  2. Copy a file to the system directory of NT and rename the file Msnsls.dll.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/13/2003
Keywords:kb3rdparty kbenv kberrmsg kbprb KB250542
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