Registry Editor: Cleaning AppInit_DLLs for Game Launch Speed

The objective is to clear the Injection Queue, ensuring that when you click “Play,” the CPU execution jumps straight to the game’s entry point without detour.

1. Locating the Injection Points

Windows stores these global hooks in two specific locations for 32-bit and 64-bit compatibility.

Primary (64-bit) Path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

Secondary (32-bit/WOW64) Path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

2. Cleaning Protocol (Step-by-Step)

Before proceeding, we recommend exporting these keys as a backup.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to the Primary Path listed above.
3. Look for the value named AppInit_DLLs.
   • The Goal: This string should be empty.
   • The Cleanup: If you see paths to .dll files (often related to old overlays or driver “helpers”), double-click it and delete the text string.
4. Look for LoadAppInit_DLLs.
   • Set this value to 0 (Hexadecimal) to globally disable the feature.
5. Repeat these steps for the Secondary (WOW6432Node) Path to ensure older 32-bit launchers are also optimized.

3. Why This Matters for 2026 Anti-Cheat Engines

Modern anti-cheats like Ricochet, Vanguard, and Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) have become extremely sensitive.

• Conflict Detection: If an old, unsigned DLL is listed in AppInit_DLLs, the anti-cheat may flag it as an injection attempt, causing your game to close immediately or triggering a “Security Violation.”
• Memory Integrity: Cleaning this registry key helps maintain the Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) chain, reducing the processing overhead during the initial kernel-to-user-mode handshake.

4. Identifying “Ghost” DLLs

If your AppInit_DLLs wasn’t empty, you likely had “Ghost” processes running. Common culprits found in 2026 include:

• Legacy OSDs: Old versions of Rivatuner or Fraps.
• Bad Audio Drivers: Some older virtualization software hooks into every process to “enhance” audio.
• Malware/Adware: Historically, this key was a favorite for persistent browser hijackers.

Registry Value	Default State	Optimized State	Impact
AppInit_DLLs	(Blank)	(Blank)	Prevents unneeded library loading.
LoadAppInit_DLLs	1	0	Disables the injection mechanism entirely.
RequireSignedAppInit_DLLs	0	1	Blocks unsigned (potentially malicious) hooks.