Force my software to use the DLL from a specific location

If you want to force your software to use a specific DLL from a specific location, you can follow these steps:

1. Place the Desired DLL in a Specific Location: Make sure you have the correct version of the DLL you want to use in the desired location.

2. Modify Environment Variable: You can modify the PATH environment variable to prioritize the directory containing your desired DLL. This way, when your software searches for the DLL, it will find the one in the specified location first.

   • Open the "System Properties" dialog.
   • Go to the "Advanced" tab.
   • Click on the "Environment Variables" button.
   • Under "System Variables," find the "Path" variable and click "Edit."
   • Add the directory path of your desired DLL at the beginning of the list (e.g., C:\Your\DLL\Path).
   • Click OK to close all the dialogs.

3. Restart Your Application: If your software was already running, close and reopen it. It should now find and use the DLL from the specific location.

By adding the directory containing your desired DLL to the beginning of the PATH environment variable, you're giving it a higher priority for DLL loading. However, keep in mind that modifying the PATH variable affects the entire system, so be cautious when making changes.

If your software uses a different mechanism to locate DLLs (e.g., via explicit paths or configuration files), you'll need to adjust accordingly.