Fix Vpmsece3.dll Error for Symantec Client Security, NavNT and Symantec Antivirus

Vpmsece3.dll is a module that belongs to Symantec Antivirus, which is a product of the Symantec Corporation.

Error Message

You may get an error message similar to the ones listed below when you start Microsoft Outlook.

The add-in 'C:\Program Files\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\vpmsece.dll' could not be installed or loaded. This problem may be resolved by using Detect and Repair on the Help menu.

Unable to load “C:\Program Files\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\vpmsece.dll”. You may be out of memory, out of system resources, or missing a .dll file.

If you have a version of Symantec Antivirus 10 installed, the error message may point to either vpmsece2.dll or vpmsece3.dll. If you use Detect and Repair as instructed in the error message, you still do not resolve the problem.

A quick note:

If you see NavNT or use Symantec AntiVirus 8.x or an earlier version, instructions for resolution are found under Method 3 and Method 4.

Resolution

How to Fix Vpmsece3.dll Could not be Loaded or Out of Memory Error

Method 1 ? Symantec Client Security

  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Set Windows to show hidden and system folders.
  3. On the Windows taskbar, click Start and go to Search.
  4. Proceed to Files and Folders.
  5. Type in extend.dat in Search for files or folders named.
  6. Click on Search Now.
  7. Wait for the search results to show.
  8. Delete all copies of extend.dat that you find.
  9. Reboot your PC.

A Group Policy that hides system files may be in force. You may not find extend.dat through Search even when Windows is set to show all files.

Method 2 – Symantec Client Security

Find and Delete Copies from Command Prompt.

  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Go to Start and then click on Run.
  3. Type in cmd in the Open box.
  4. Press OK.
  5. Type the following command in the command prompt.cd %appdata%
  6. Press Enter.
  7. The Application Data folder for the current local user should come up.
  8. If this folder does not show up, use the full path pointing to the current local user?s Application Data folder instead.cd “C:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data”
  9. Type in cd microsoft\outlook.
  10. Press Enter.
  11. Now type in del extend.dat.
  12. Press Enter again.
  13. Delete each instance of the extend.dat file for every user local account that you find on the computer.
  14. Reboot the computer.

Some versions of Windows have a user folder called LocalService. Delete the extend.dat file that you find here too, like in the sample path below.

\Documents and Settings\LocalService\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Method 3 ? NavNT, Symantec AntiVirus 8.x or earlier

  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Set Windows to show hidden and system folders.
  3. On the Windows taskbar, click Start and go to Search.
  4. Proceed to Files and Folders.
  5. Type in extend.dat in Search for files or folders named.
  6. Click on Search Now.
  7. Wait for the search results to show.
  8. Delete all copies of extend.dat that you find.
  9. Reboot your PC.

A Group Policy that hides system files may be in force. You may not find extend.dat through Search even when Windows is set to show all files.

Method 4 – NavNT, Symantec AntiVirus 8.x or earlier

  1. Close Outlook.
  2. Go to Start and then click on Run.
  3. Type in cmd in the Open box.
  4. Press OK.
  5. Type the following command in the command prompt.cd %appdata%
  6. Press Enter.
  7. The Application Data folder for the current local user should come up.
  8. Type cd microsoft\outlook.
  9. Press Enter.
  10. Delete each instance of the extend.dat file for every user local account that you find on the computer.
  11. Reboot the computer.

Symantec has a reputation for having many troublesome issues as well as for being a resource hog. If you would like to avoid such issues entirely, your best option may be to switch to a different antivirus program.

There are many alternative programs available that can perform as well as or even better than Symantec programs. These programs play well with other programs and applications while Symantec does not.

Select an antivirus program that will provide you with excellent protection without consuming all your resources.