SDL.dll is missing from my computer - VS 2010

Question

I'm trying to compile a SDL-program I've written, but when I do, this error shows up:

The program can't start because SDL.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem

I have no idea as to why. I have SDL.dll.

• I have put it in the correct folder: C:\Windows\System32.

• I have the correct PATHS to all the SDL headers and such as well.

VS says:

Build succeeded: 1

and THEN the error above pops up on screen.

Answer 1

Add it into your debug folder or whatever directory your program is currently located at.

Answer 2

SDL.dll has to either be in the same directory as your application, or in a directory that's in the PATH environment variable.

Answer 3

IfSDL.dll is 32-bit and you're running a 64-bit system you have to place the dll into /Windows/SysWOW64/ rather than /Windows/System32/, which is used for 64-bit dlls.

EDIT:
You probably shouldn't be deploying your DLLs by copying them into the System32 directory, unless they're common libraries that are used by several applications, and even then I would use discretion. For example, an application could update the DLL, which could break other applications that rely on an older version of the library.

Instead, copy the DLLs into the same directory that the executable is being built in. If you're building and executing with Visual Studio it will look for the DLL in the Project directory, where your source files are probably located.