'Error Loading BRIDGE.DLL' when starting Windows

Problem

When starting Windows, you receive one of the following messages:

• Error loading C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files\Bridge.dll,

• Error loading C:\Winnt\Downloaded Program Files\Bridge.dll,

• Error loading C:\Windows\System32\Bridge.dll, or

• Error loading C:\Winnt\System32\Bridge.dll.

Solution

Bridge.dll is related to spyware called Win32/Bryss.Spy.Trojan or Keylog-Briss. Most likely your antivirus program has removed the file but not removed the reference to it in the Windows registry. Since the file itself has been removed, it no longer poses a threat.

To clean up, download the latest version of Malwarebytes and perform a full scan. It should remove any remaining registry entries related to the file.

It can also be removed by using the Add/Remove Programs applet in Control Panel and uninstalling Bridge.