┌─ FILE ANALYSIS ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ┐
│ DEVELOPER : Microsoft
│ CATEGORY : System
│ MIME TYPE : application/vnd.microsoft.portable-executable
│ MAGIC BYTES : 4D5A
└ ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ┘
What is a DLL file?
DLL (Dynamic Link Library) is a shared library format used by Windows applications. Unlike EXE files, DLLs cannot run on their own — they provide reusable functions, classes, and resources that multiple programs can load and use simultaneously, reducing memory usage and enabling modular software.
How to open DLL files
- Dependency Walker (Windows) — View DLL dependencies
- PE Explorer (Windows) — Resource and structure viewer
- IDA Free (Windows, Linux, macOS) — Disassembly
- dotPeek (Windows) — .NET DLL decompiler
- 7-Zip — Extract .NET resources
Technical specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | PE (Portable Executable) |
| Loading | Dynamic linking at runtime |
| Exports | Function and data exports |
| Architecture | x86, x64, ARM |
| Registration | COM DLLs require regsvr32 |
Common use cases
- Shared code: Reusable functions across programs
- Plugins: Application extensions and add-ons
- System libraries: Windows API (kernel32.dll, user32.dll)
- COM objects: Component Object Model components