Fix Preferences.dat Errors and Download Now

Last Updated: 11/25/2023
[Time to Read: ~3-5 minutes]

Game Data files, such as preferences.dat, are considered a type of Dynamic Link Library (Game Data) file. They are associated with the DAT file extension, developed by Open Source for eMule 0.50a.

The first version of preferences.dat for eMule 0.50a was seen on 07/14/2010 in Windows 10. This file marks the latest update from Open Source, according to our records.

Please see below for more detailed information, DAT file troubleshooting instructions, and free downloads of different versions of preferences.dat.

File Analysis Provided by Jason Geater (Author)


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File Overview


General Information
File Name: preferences.dat
File Extension: DAT file extension
File Type: Dynamic Link Library
Description: Game Data
User Popularity Rating:
 
Developer and Software Information
Software Program: eMule 0.50a
Developer: Open Source
Software: eMule
Software Version: 0.50a
File Details
File Size (Bytes): 61
Oldest File Date: 10/14/2019
Latest File Date: 10/14/2019


What are preferences.dat Error Messages?


Dynamic Link Library preferences.dat Errors

preferences.dat is considered a type of Dynamic Link Library (DLL) file. Dynamic Link Library files, like preferences.dat, are essentially a "guide book" that stores information and instructions for executable (EXE) files - like OneDriveSetup.exe - to follow. These files were created so that multiple programs (eg. eMule) could share the same preferences.dat file, saving valuable memory allocation, therefore making your computer run more efficiently.

Unfortunately, what makes DLL files so convenient and efficient, also makes them extremely vulnerable to problems. If something happens to a shared DAT file, either it goes missing or gets corrupted in some way, it can generate a "runtime" error message. Runtime is pretty self-explanatory; it means that these errors are triggered when preferences.dat is attempted to be loaded either when eMule is starting up, or in some cases already running. Some of the most common preferences.dat errors include:

Your preferences.dat file could be missing due to accidental deletion, uninstalled as a shared file of another program (shared with eMule), or deleted by a malware infection. Furthermore, preferences.dat file corruption could be caused from a power outage when loading eMule, system crash while loading preferences.dat, bad sectors on your storage media (usually your primary hard drive), or quite commonly, a malware infection. Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.



How to Fix preferences.dat Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your preferences.dat issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.


Step 1: Restore your PC back to the latest restore point, "snapshot", or backup image before error occurred.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the search results, find and click System Restore.
  4. Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
  5. Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
  6. Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the preferences.dat error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

Step 2: If recently installed eMule (or related software), uninstall then try reinstalling eMule software.

You can uninstall eMule software by following these instructions (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "Uninstall" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the search results, find and click "Add or Remove Programs"
  4. Find the entry for eMule 0.50a and click "Uninstall"
  5. Follow the prompts for uninstallation.

After the software has been fully uninstalled, restart your PC and reinstall eMule software.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

eMule 0.50a

Open Source

Step 3: Perform a Windows Update.

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many preferences.dat error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
  4. If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
  5. After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the preferences.dat error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.



If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your preferences.dat File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate preferences.dat file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free preferences.dat files for every applicable version of eMule. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

  1. Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download preferences.dat Files".
  2. Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
  3. Copy this file to the appropriate eMule folder location:
    Windows 10: C:\Users\Tester\AppData\Local\eMule\config\
  4. Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows 10.


GEEK TIP : We must emphasize that reinstalling Windows will be a very time-consuming and advanced task to resolve preferences.dat problems. To avoid data loss, you must be sure that you have backed-up all of your important documents, pictures, software installers, and other personal data before beginning the process. If you are not currently backing up your data, you need to do so immediately.



Download preferences.dat Files (Malware-Tested 100% Clean)


CAUTION : We strongly advise against downloading and copying preferences.dat to your appropriate Windows system directory. Open Source typically does not release eMule DAT files for download because they are bundled together inside of a software installer. The installer's task is to ensure that all correct verifications have been made before installing and placing preferences.dat and all other DAT files for eMule. An incorrectly installed DAT file may create system instability and could cause your program or operating system to stop functioning altogether. Proceed with caution.

Windows 10


Files Related to preferences.dat


DAT Files Related to preferences.dat

File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
{78222E87-EEB4-11E9-A5... Game Data eMule 0.50a 566784 C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\
settings.dat Game Data eMule 0.50a 8192 C:\Windows\System32\
ntuser.dat Game Data eMule 0.50a 1310720 C:\Windows\inf\
SA.DAT Game Data eMule 0.50a 6 C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\
9WZDNCRFJ364.dat Game Data eMule 0.50a 460 C:\Windows\Temp\44C7A540-18EC-41DB-9E7E-5640699...

Other Files Related to preferences.dat

File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
CBS.log Log Pidgin 2.12.0 888726 C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\
setuperr.log Log vanBasco's Karaoke Player 2.53 5309 C:\Windows\Logs\DPX\
setuperr.log Log WinMorph 3.01 build 801 2280 C:\Windows\Logs\DPX\
setuperr.log Log Game Editor 1.4.0 23532 C:\Windows\Logs\DPX\
symbol.ttf TrueType Font Ares Galaxy 2.3.8 70128 C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.Office.O...


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