The sxS.dll module is the driver file for the Side-by-Side technology, the standard for executable files in Windows XP as well as the later versions that attempt to reduce the DLL process. The Side-by-side technology, also called WinSxS or SxS, refers to the universal side-by-side store, a native equivalent of .NET Global Assembly Cache. The executable files that have an SxS manifest are assigned SxS assemblies. SxS stores multiple versions of DLLs in the WinSxS Windows subdirectory, then loads them on demand which reduces dependency issues in applications that contain an SxS manifest. In every application that employs an SxS should have a manifest. These manifests are sections embedded in the executable file, although may be an external file. If the operating system launches the application while detecting the existence of a manifest, the DLL loader directs to the DLL version of the corresponding object in the manifest. Without the manifest, the DLL loader will load default versions of all the DLL dependents.

Most non-system processes that are running can be stopped because they are not involved in running your operating system. sxs.dll. is used by WinSxS, If you shut down sxs.dll, it will likely start again at a later time either after you restart your computer or after an application start. To stop sxs.dll, permanently you need to uninstall the application that runs this process which in this case is WinSxS, from your system.

After uninstalling applications it is a good idea to scan you Windows registry for any left over traces of applications. Registry Reviver by ReviverSoft is a great tool for doing this.

The ReviverSoft experts have not yet reviewed sxs.dll

A process usually a part of an installed application such as WinSxS, or your operating system that is responsible for running in functions of that application. Some application require that they have processes running all the time so they can do things such as check for updates or notify you when you get an instant message. Some poorly written applications have many processes that run that may not be required and take up valuable processing power within your computer.

We have not received any complaint about this process having higher than normal impact on PC performance. If you have had bad experiences with it please let us know in a comment below and we will investigate it further.

The first thing you should do if sxs.dll. is causing errors on your computer is to run a Windows registry scan with Registry Reviver If you are still seeing errors after this you should uninstall the program that sxs.dll, belongs to, in this case WinSxS