Thursday, September 18, 2025: What is the Adobe Photoshop error message: "Unable to load required component 'Unicows.dll?"
I have used Adobe Photoshop for many years with no problems. I was an early adopter, and I purchased one of the earlier (expensive) programs. However recently it has been unusable because of an error message: "Unable to load required component 'Unicows.dll." How do I fix this?
I guess this yet another one of the many challenges of moving up to Windows 11. I had to try several different versions of my question before I got this answer – that made since. Essentially the very old Adobe Photoshop I purchased years ago – has now been made obsolete.
LOL – I just talked with an IT director who is really
knowledgeable about such matters – and his answer was: Abandon Adobe and Go to
GIMP. https://www.gimp.org/ From the GIMP
website: “The Free & Open Source Image Editor: This is the official website
of the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP).
“GIMP is a cross-platform image editor available for GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows and more operating systems. It is free software, you can change its source code and distribute your changes.
“Whether you are a graphic designer, photographer, illustrator, or scientist, GIMP provides you with sophisticated tools to get your job done. You can further enhance your productivity with GIMP thanks to many customization options and 3rd party plugins.”
++++++++++++++++++
This was the answer that I got.
The "Unable to load required component Unicows.dll" error most commonly occurs when trying to run an older, unsupported version of Adobe Photoshop on a modern version of Windows. The Unicows.dll file was a component of the Microsoft Layer for Unicode (MSLU), which was used to enable Unicode support on older operating systems like Windows 98, ME, and XP.
Because modern Windows versions have native Unicode support, this outdated file is not included. The simplest and most effective solution is to update your software, which you can do by following the instructions below.
Fix the Unicows.dll error
1. Update your version of Photoshop
The most reliable solution is to update Photoshop to the latest compatible version for your operating system. Newer versions of the application do not require the obsolete unicows.dll file.
- For Creative Cloud users: Open the Creative Cloud desktop application and install the latest updates for Photoshop.
- For users of older versions: If you are using a perpetual license for an older version (e.g., Photoshop CS3) on a modern OS, your software is likely out of support. You may need to purchase or subscribe to a newer version of Photoshop that is compatible with your current Windows OS.
2. Reinstall Photoshop
If you already use a modern, supported version of Photoshop and this error appears, a corrupted installation may be the cause. A clean reinstallation can resolve the issue by replacing any damaged files.
- Uninstall Photoshop through your Windows settings (Settings > Apps > Apps & features).
- Run the Adobe CC Cleaner Tool. This utility from Adobe removes leftover files from previous installations that could cause problems.
- Reinstall Photoshop from your Creative Cloud desktop app.
3. Update your Windows OS
Ensuring your operating system is fully updated is a general-purpose fix that can solve many DLL and compatibility issues.
- Open Windows Settings, then go to Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- Install any available updates.
If you are using old, unsupported software
If you are intentionally using an old
version of Photoshop (like CS3 on Windows XP), and the issue suddenly appeared,
it suggests a system file may have become corrupted.
- Run a System File Checker scan: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and
run the command sfc /scannow. This will check and repair any corrupted Windows
system files.
- Exercise caution with downloaded DLLs: Some
websites offer unicows.dll for download. However, doing so is not
recommended, as these files can be out of date, contain malware, or be the
wrong version for your system.
