[.net] How to extract an assembly from the GAC?

There is a package I have to deal with which installs assemblies straight into the GAC (e.g. somewhere deep in %windows%/assembly).

How do I exorcise the actual assembly (the DLL) from the GAC into the normal file system?

Thanks.

Use the file browser "Total Commander" instead.

1. Enable the "show hidden/system files" setting in Total Commander
2. Browse to "c:\windows\assembly"
3. copy

Copying from a command line is unnecessary. I typed in the name of the DLL from the Start Window search. I chose See More Results. The one in the GAC was returned in the search window. I right clicked on it and said open file location. It opened in normal Windows Explorer. I copied the file. I closed the window. Done.

From a Powershell script, you can try this. I only had a single version of the assembly in the GAC so this worked just fine.

cd "c:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\assembly\GAC_MSIL\"
Get-ChildItem assemblypath -Recurse -Include *.dll |  Copy-Item -Destination "c:\folder to copy to"

where the assembly path can use wildcards.

One other direction--just unpack the MSI file and get the goodies that way. Saves you from the eventual uninstall . . .

just navigate to C:\Windows find the [assembly] folder right click and select add to archive

wait a little

vola you have an archive file containing all the assemblies in your GAC

This MSDN blog post describes three separate ways of extracting a DLL from the GAC. A useful summary of the methods so far given.

The method described here is very easy:

http://andreasglaser.net/post/2008/08/05/Extract-assembly-from-Global-Assembly-Cache-(GAC)-with-network-drive-mapping.aspx

Summary from Article:

• Map a Network Drive (Explorer -> Tools)
  • Map to \servername\folder (\\YourServer\C$\Windows\Assembly)
• No need for sharing if you are the Administrator
• Browse to the drive and extract your assembly

I think the easiest way is to do it through the command line like David mentions. The only trick is that the .dll isn't simply located at C:\Windows\Assembly. You have to navigate to C:\Windows\Assembly\GAC\[ASSEMBLY_NAME]\[VERSION_NUMBER]_[PUBLIC KEY]. You can then do a copy using:

copy [ASSEMBLY_NAME].dll c:\ (or whatever location you want)

Hope that helps.

I am the author of PowerShell GAC. With PowerShell GAC you can extract assemblies from the GAC without depending on GAC internals like changing folder structures.

Get-GacAssembly SomeCompany* | Get-GacAssemblyFile | Copy-Item -Dest C:\Temp\SomeCompany

Easy way I have found is to open the command prompt and browse through the folder you mention until you find the DLL you want - you can then user the copy command to get it out. Windows Explorer has a "helpful" special view of this folder.

Think I figured out a way to look inside the GAC without modifying the registry or using the command line, powershell, or any other programs:

Create a new shortcut (to anywhere). Then modify the shortcut to have the target be:

%windir%\assembly\GAC_MSIL\System

Opening this shortcut takes you to the System folder inside the GAC (which everyone should have) and has the wonderful side effect of letting you switch to a higher directory and then browsing into any other folder you want (and see the dll files, etc)

I tested this on windows 7 and windows server 2012.

Note: It will not let you use that target when creating the shortcut but it will let you edit it.

Enjoy!

Yes.

Add DisableCacheViewer Registry Key

Create a new dword key under HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Fusion\ with the name DisableCacheViewer and set it’s [DWORD] value to 1.

Go back to Windows Explorer to the assembly folder and it will be the normal file system view.

Open RUN then type %windir%\assembly\GAC_MSIL, this will open your dlls in folders' view you can then navigate to your dll named folder and open it, you will find your dll file and copy it easily

Open the Command Prompt and Type :

cd  c:\windows\assembly\GAC_MSIL 

xcopy . C:\GacDump /s /y

This should give the dump of the entire GAC

Enjoy!