"registering" a file

[Dan]

I was working on friends computer, trying to install software. I received an error message that a certain .ocx file was missing or not properly registered. After copying it from my pc and pasting it where it belonged, I still got the same message.
I have since solved this problem, but am curious:]
Is there a way to "register" a file once it's copied to the hard drive. I know that most software programs do this as part of the installation, just wondering if there is a way to do it manually?

[doctorgonzo]

Go to Start...Run and type "Regsvr32 control.ocx" where 'control.ocx' is the name of the ActiveX control that is in the error message.