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  1. C:
  2. Windows
  3. System32
  4. hal.dll
FileRisk: Do not touch

hal.dll C:\Windows\System32\hal.dll

Windows Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL): isolates the kernel and drivers from hardware platform differences. Protected system file.

Updated on By AltF4 Formation

What it’s for

hal.dll is the Hardware Abstraction Layer. It hides platform details (interrupt controllers, timers, buses) from the kernel and drivers so the same code runs on different machines. The loader loads it at boot with the kernel, before the boot drivers.

What it contains

  • A kernel-mode library, signed by Microsoft, in C:\Windows\System32.
  • On recent versions Windows picks the HAL that suits the machine by itself; there is no manual choice as on older Windows.

Risks and best practices

  • Do not delete, move or replace it: the machine would no longer boot. Above all, never swap in the file from another Windows version.
  • A startup message that names hal.dll usually points to a damaged installation or an incorrect boot configuration. From WinRE, run bootrec /rebuildbcd, then an offline scan: sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows.

Useful commands

Fenêtre de terminal
# File version
(Get-Item "$env:windir\System32\hal.dll").VersionInfo | Select-Object FileName, FileVersion, ProductName


# Digital signature
Get-AuthenticodeSignature "$env:windir\System32\hal.dll" | Select-Object Status, @{n="Signer";e={$_.SignerCertificate.Subject}}


# Protected file integrity (as administrator)
sfc /verifyfile="$env:windir\System32\hal.dll"

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