api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll - Analyze and How to Fix Errors

★★★★★ Verified File (27.08.2026)

Description

Creation date: 20.11.2015 06:52:50
File version: 10.0.10586.15
Antivirus scan: ✅ OK
Category: System
File size: 18.4 kb.
Architecture: 64-bit (x64)
✅ This file is compatible with 64-bit Windows and ❌ will not work on a 32-bit operating system.
How to determine your system architecture: Press keys Win+R , enter symbols wmic os get osarchitecture , press Enter.

Digital file signature `api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll`

Publisher: Microsoft Corporation
Issuer: Microsoft Code Signing PCA
Encryption algorithm: SHA1
Time stamp: Apr 5 06:03:49 2018 GMT

The api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll file is a Dynamic Link Library (DLL) that contains code and resources for the Microsoft Windows operating system. DLL files are essential components that provide reusable functions, which can be shared across multiple applications to ensure efficient resource utilization.

MD5: 5c5619e06fb2b03808e383bdaf8804d8
SHA-1: e3ac5254757e8927d47ef19ba9c61998c579cf72
SHA-256: bc9bd0d10821dd009b330377515927651775781a453adc5b99e78e1ed97d9dab

Where it is used

This file likely plays a role in the core functionality of Windows. It might be involved in user profile management and other system-related tasks. Given its name, it could relate to:

User Environment Initialization
System Performance Monitoring
Security and Identity Management

Errors related to `api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll`

The following errors can occur when this file is missing or corrupted:

Error: "api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll not found"
Missing api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll
Error loading api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll

File security

The file is marked as safe and can be trusted. It is a legitimate system file from Microsoft, which ensures that it does not pose a risk to your computer. However, if you receive any suspicious error messages or encounter unexpected behavior after updating the file, ensure the source of the update is reliable.

api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll was not found
The code execution cannot proceed because api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll was not found
Failed to load api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll
The procedure entry point ... could not be located in api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll

1.
2a. 👉 Try to copy api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll C:\Program Files\Your program\
2b. Also try to copy to bin, lib folders.
2c. Try to copy api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll C:\Program Files (x86)\Your program\
👉 Before you replace any files, make sure to back them up.
How do I switch to the current Windows directory?
- Press and hold the key "win" on the keyboard and press the key "r" , then write %windir% and press the key Enter.
How to switch to the directory Program Files (x86) ?
- Press Win+R then enter %ProgramFiles(x86)% and after press Enter.

How to fix errors

Reinstall programs: If an application that depends on this DLL file is missing or has been corrupted, reinstalling it might resolve the issue.
Update Windows: Make sure your operating system and all installed components are up to date. This often includes updating related system files.
Replace the DLL manually:

Download a trusted version of the file from Microsoft or other official sources.
Extract and locate the correct version of the DLL file in your Windows System32 folder (typically C:\Windows\System32).
Replace the old file with the new one, ensuring compatibility and system integrity.

FAQ

Q: Is api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll safe to replace manually?

A: Yes, but always download the file from a trusted source. Microsoft's official site is a good place to start.

Q: Can this be a virus or malware?

A: No, it is a legitimate system file provided by Microsoft. However, ensure that any replacements come from trustworthy sources to avoid risks.

Conclusion

The api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll file is an essential part of the Windows operating system. By understanding its role and how to fix potential issues, you can maintain a stable and secure computing environment.

api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll File Overview & Troubleshooting Guide

The file api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll is a core system file designed to provide application profiling functionality within the Microsoft Windows Operating System. It serves as an ApiSet Stub DLL, routing API calls from older or generic software components to the correct underlying Windows kernel functions.

?? Standard File Location

In a healthy Windows installation, this file is natively present and should never be manually moved or deleted. Its standard locations depend on your system's architecture:

For 64-bit systems (64-bit files): C:\Windows\System32\
For 64-bit systems (32-bit compatibility files): C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
Internal Windows Cache (ApiSet stubs): C:\Windows\System32\downlevel\

??? How to Fix api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll Errors Without Downloading

When software fails to launch and reports this DLL as "missing" or "corrupt," it usually means the operating system's internal API-set mappings are broken, or a runtime component is missing. Do not download standalone DLL files from unverified third-party websites, as they often contain malware or cause system instability.

Instead, use these native, safe methods to resolve the issue:

1. Copy the File from the Local "Downlevel" Cache

Windows often keeps a backup copy of all ApiSet stubs inside an internal system cache. You can copy it directly to your application's folder without downloading anything:

Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
Navigate to: C:\Windows\System32\downlevel\
Find api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll in this folder.
Right-click the file and select Copy.
Paste the file directly into the main installation folder of the game or software that throws the error.

2. Run the System File Checker (SFC)

Windows has built-in diagnostic tools that automatically verify the integrity of core operating system files and replace missing or corrupt elements:

Click the Start menu, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Type the following command and press Enter:
```
sfc /scannow
```
Wait for the process to hit 100%. If it finds any corruption, Windows will repair it automatically from a protected local cache. Restart your PC afterward.

3. Update or Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables

Most applications throwing this error rely on the Universal C Runtime (CRT). Installing or repairing these packages brings back all required api-ms-win-core modules:

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
Scroll down to Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable installations.
Click on the three dots (or select them) and click Modify, then choose Repair.
Alternatively, if they are missing entirely, run a clean installation of the official combined Visual Studio 2015-2022 Redistributable packages directly via Windows Update or the official Microsoft site.

4. Trigger a Clean Reinstallation or File Verification of the Software

If the error occurs specifically with a PC game or an app, the software's local registry links or internal binaries might be broken:

For Steam/Epic Games: Right-click the game in your library, go to Properties > Installed Files, and click Verify integrity of game files.
For Desktop Applications: Uninstall the application via the Control Panel, restart your PC, and run the original installer file again.

If you would like to pinpoint the root cause together, please let me know:

What specific game or application triggers this error?
Which version of Windows are you currently running?

Other versions:
️ api-ms-win-core-profile-l1-1-0.dll 10.0.17134.12 32-bit (x86)
Microsoft Corporation