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Asked: 2026-06-13T13:59:19+00:00

I’m trying to use the Microsoft Shell Controls And Automation COM object library (

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I’m trying to use the Microsoft Shell Controls And Automation COM object library (C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll) from within an SSIS Script Task to manipulate .zip archives.

Unfortunately, although I have successfully added the relevant Reference and the Script Task compiles OK. I’m using VB.NET, for what it’s worth. I get the following runtime error as soon as I try to create any objects defined within the library:

Error: 0x1 at Archive File: System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException: Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation. —> System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not load file or assembly ‘Interop.Shell32, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null’ or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified.
File name: ‘Interop.Shell32, Version=1.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null’
at ST_a2650b7f39504eaa8c80e37a6736d957.vbproj.ScriptMain.Main()

I thought the Interop DLL would all be taken care of for me – does anyone know what step am I missing?

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    SSIS needs all .dll references to be registered with the GAC, you are correct.

    You have different options regarding installing this dll into the GAC:

    1. Drag and drop the .dll into the %windir%\assembly\ folder.

    2. Use the gacutil.exe you are thinking about using: Regarding installing into the GAC using the gacutil, there is alot of useful information here: Global_Assembly_Cache. Basically, if you have the .NET framework installed (you are using VB.NET so no problem there), you will have a gacutil.exe in your Microsoft.NET folder.

    3. (What I normally use when all else fails) Create a windows MSI project in Visual Studio that automatically does all this for you, useful info here: How to install assembly in the GAC using MSI

    If you install that .dll in the GAC and you are still having problems, another option is to actually create a separate visual studio project that contains your logic for manipulating the needed zip files build it and call its exe from SSIS using the Execute Process Task. You can pass arguments specified in the SSIS package. Not very elegant, but it gets the job done if you are keen on using SSIS.

    UPDATE:

    The solution in this question did the trick SSIS Script Task COMException / FileNotFoundException error. The problem was in adding a signed reference of the dll, this answer provides a good step-by-step workaround for adding a COM reference within the SSIS Script Task.

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