Kernel32.dll

Definition - What does Kernel32.dll mean?

A kernel is the core part of an operating system that performs the basic and fundamental operations including memory management, input/output operations and interrupts. Kernel32.dll is a Windows kernel module. It is a 32-bit dynamic link library that is used in Windows operating systems. On system boot up, kernel32.dll is loaded into a protected memory so that it is not corrupted by other system or user processes. It runs as a background process and carries out important functions like memory management, input/output operations and interrupts.

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Techopedia explains Kernel32.dll

The core of an operating system is called the kernel. It forms the basic code around which the OS is built and provides the basic functionalities such as memory management, interrupt handling and input/output handling. It manages the input and output requests from software and translates them into CPU instructions and instructions to the electronic components of a computer. Some of functions and tasks of the kernel are:

Executing processes
Handling interrupts
Memory management
Managing the address space
Interprocess communication
Central processing unit instructions processing and allocation
Random access memory management
Input/output device management

The tasks performed by the kernel are carried out in the kernel space whereas the operations carried out by GUI and other user applications are carried out in user space.

In the case of Windows operating systems beginning with Windows 95, kernel32.dll runs as part of the kernel module. It is one of the files required for the proper functioning of the Windows OS. This kernel is most widely known due to error messages that users see when something goes wrong with it. Faults or errors caused in the kernel32.dll file can cause Windows to malfunction or not work at all.