regserver

Regserver refers to the process and mechanism by which a COM (Component Object Model) server is registered in the Windows registry, enabling the system to locate and instantiate components. In Windows, registration is typically performed by invoking a component’s exported DllRegisterServer function, often through the regsvr32 utility.

The registration mechanism relies on the registry to map class IDs (CLSIDs), programmatic IDs (ProgIDs), and other metadata to the corresponding DLL or server file. A COM DLL can export DllRegisterServer to write these entries into the registry and to register associated type libraries. Conversely, DllUnregisterServer removes those entries. This self-registration approach allows software to register itself without manual registry editing, though it may also be performed by installation programs.

Common usage involves the regsvr32 tool. To register a DLL, one typically runs: regsvr32 path\component.dll. To unregister, regsvr32 /u path\component.dll. On 64-bit Windows, there are separate regsvr32 utilities for 64-bit and 32-bit components located in System32 and SysWOW64, respectively, and the appropriate one must be used. Administrative privileges are often required to modify registry entries.

Security and compatibility considerations apply. Self-registration executes code inside the DLL, which can pose security risks if the component is untrusted. Some environments restrict registry modifications or require elevated privileges. Modern deployment approaches sometimes avoid per-component registry entries via registration-free COM using application manifests, reducing reliance on regserver-style registration.

While many software packages include a small utility named RegServer to perform manual or scripted registration, regsvr32 remains the standard tool for invoking a DLL’s DllRegisterServer entry point.