If you are getting the mscomctl.ocx or one of its dependencies not registered error in Windows, fix it in simple steps.
For some Windows users, the mscomctl.ocx not found or not registered error is one of the most common issues. For instance, I recently got hit with this error, which is inconvenient. The entire error message is “Component mscomctl.ocx or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid.” When you see this error, it might block you from installing or running programs in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
The good thing is, it is pretty easy to fix the mscomctl.ocx or one of its dependencies not registered error in Windows. All you have to do is troubleshoot a few things and follow a couple of steps, and you are good to go.
So, without further ado, let me show you how to fix the mscomctl.ocx or one of its dependencies not registered error in Windows.
- What is the mscomctl.ocx file?
- Why am I seeing the mscomctl.ocx not registered error?
- Fix mscomctl.ocx not registered error in Windows
What is the mscomctl.ocx file?
The mscomctl.ocx is a system file used for many system apps and functions. To be specific, mscomctl.ocx is an ActiveX Control module. The file is a dependency for many Windows apps and features. If the file is deleted, corrupted, or unregistered, Windows will show an error, and programs might also fail to install.
Why am I seeing the mscomctl.ocx not registered error?
There are many reasons why you might see the mscomctl.ocx or one of its dependencies not registered error. A couple of the main reasons are missing or corrupted mscomctl.ocx file, unregistered OCX file, etc. As for why this happens, there is no single reason. Few of the most common ones include but are not limited to sudden system shutdown, a program messing with system files, unintentional file deletion, etc.
Fix mscomctl.ocx not registered error in Windows
Since there are multiple reasons why the file might be missing or corrupted, there are various things you can do to fix the mscomctl.ocx or one of its dependencies not registered error. Follow the below steps one after the other, and it should be solved in no time.
- Re-register the mscomctl.ocx file
- Run program troubleshooter
- Replace mscomctl.ocx file from another PC
- Run Windows Store Apps troubleshooter
Re-register the mscomctl.ocx file
If the mscomctl.ocx is unregistered, you can re-register the file to fix the mscomctl.ocx error. You have to execute the command, and you are good to go. Here is how to do it.
- Right-click the Start menu.
- Choose the “Windows Terminal (admin)” option.
- Select “Command Prompt” from the top bar dropdown menu.
- Execute the below command in the CMD tab.
regsvr32 “C:\Windows\SysWOW64\MSCOMCTL.OCX” - The above action will re-register the file.
- Close the terminal window.
- Reboot the computer.
Replace mscomctl.ocx file from another PC
If re-registering did not work, the mscomctl.ocx file might be missing or corrupted. In that case, you have to restore or replace it. If you have access to another up-to-date Windows PC, you can copy the mscomctl.ocx file from that PC and place it in your computer. That way, you can replace or restore the mscomctl.ocx file.
You can find the mscomctl.ocx in the following location. Open the File Explorer, paste the below path in the address bar and, press Enter. Next, copy the mscomctl.ocx file to a USB drive. Next, plug in the USB drive in your machine and paste it into the same location below. If prompted for admin rights, press the “Continue” button.
64-bit systems:
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
32-bit systems:
C:\Windows\System32\
After that, close the File Explorer and reboot the computer. It should fix the mscomctl.ocx or one of its dependencies not registered error.
Important note: Before copying the file from another PC, make sure the PC is clean from malware. I recommend you perform a complete antivirus scan on the source PC just to be on the safe side.
Warning: Do not download the mscomctl.ocx file from the internet. In general, it is not recommended to download system files from untrusted websites. It might cause unnecessary headaches.
Run Windows Store Apps troubleshooter
Running the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter will often fix many OCX file problems. The good thing is, the troubleshooter is pretty simple to run. All it takes is a few clicks. Here is how to do it.
- Use “Start + I” to open Settings.
- Choose “System” on the sidebar.
- Scroll down and click on “Troubleshoot.”
- Scroll down and click “Run” next to “Windows Store Apps.”
- Windows 11 will scan the system and shows potential actions.
- Follow the wizard.
- Once done, the mscomctl.ocx problem should be fixed.
Conclusion — Fix mscomctl.ocx not registered problem
That is all. It is that simple to fix the mscomctl.ocx not registered problem in windows 11. Though not perfect, the above actions should fix the issue for most users. If everything else fails, I recommend you use the system restore. If there is no recent system restore, you might have to reset Windows 11. Resetting will ultimately restore all system files. However, depending on which option you choose, Windows might remove all applications. In that case, you might have to reinstall them manually.
I hope this simple and easy Windows 11 troubleshooting guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.
