Dependency Walker is a free utility that scans 32-bit and 64-bit Windows modules to build a hierarchical tree showing module dependencies. It detects common application problems such as missing or invalid modules. It can be run as a graphical or console application, and handles various types of module dependencies. Dependency Walker runs on many versions of Windows, and can process modules for Windows CE. It is similar to the "ldd" and "nm" tools for Unix systems, and shows which functions a module exports and calls.

1. Usage Note of
Microsoft
Dependency Walker
(depends.exe)
William.L
wiliwe@gmail.com
2012-02-07

2. Index
Introduction..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Usage ................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Dependency Walker program................................................................................................................ 4
Manual ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Reference ......................................................................................................................................................... 6

3. Introduction
Dependency Walker is a free utility that scans any 32-bit or 64-bit Windows module (exe, dll, ocx, sys,
etc.) and builds a hierarchical tree diagram of all dependent modules. For each module found, it lists all
the functions that are exported by that module, and which of those functions are actually being called by
other modules. Another view displays the minimum set of required files, along with detailed information
about each file including a full path to the file, base address, version numbers, machine type, debug
information, and more.
Dependency Walker is also very useful for troubleshooting system errors related to loading and
executing modules. Dependency Walker detects many common application problems such as missing
modules, invalid modules, import/export mismatches, circular dependency errors, mismatched machine
types of modules, and module initialization failures.
Dependency Walker runs on Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, and 7. It can process any
32-bit or 64-bit Windows module, including ones designed for Windows CE. It can be run as graphical
application or as a console application. Dependency Walker handles all types of module dependencies,
including implicit, explicit (dynamic / runtime), forwarded, delay-loaded, and injected. A detailed help is
included.
Dependency Walker is completely free to use. However, you may not profit from the distribution of it, nor
may you bundle it with another product.
This tool is similar to “ldd” (List Dynamic Dependencies) and “nm” (list symbol) under Unix-like
systems (ex: Linux).
Dependency Walker official site :
http://www.dependencywalker.com/

4. Usage
Before using depends.exe, it needs to install SDK/WDK. Dependency Walker’s current version is
v2.2 and Visual Studio version is 2012.
Dependency Walker program
Drive:Program FilesWindows Kits8.0Toolsx86depends.exe
Manual
Drive:Program FilesWindows Kits8.0Toolsx86Depends.chm
Steps :
1. Run depends.exe
2. Select an executable by clicking menu item “File > Open”
3. Then it will show dependent module tree diagram as below.
Here showing the selected executable, test4.exe, depends on Kernel32.dll and MSVCR1110.dll DLLs or
said it uses APIs exported from these libraries.
We can use Dependency Walker to see an executable or module depends on which library BEFORE
running it and then check if the running environment lacks those dependent modules or libraries.
When building an executable, to configure static link for the running environment has no MSVCR1110.dll.
Followings are API dependent DLL trace examples (the selected executable functions showing system
information, O.S version).
GetVersionEx()
This is defined in “Drive:Program FilesWindows Kits8.0Includeumsysinfoapi.h”. For wide
character(Unicode,UTF-16) it represents GetVersionExW() and GetVersionExA() for ANSI version.
See http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms724451(v=vs.85).aspx. This API is
exported from DLL “Kernel32.dll”.

5. GetSystemInfo()
See http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms724381(v=vs.85).aspx. This API is
exported from DLL “Kernel32.dll”.
These error messages are the case that it can find modules for current CPU architecture.
An alternative tool is Microsoft DumpBin, it is included in Visual Studio. To achieve similar function as
Dependency Walker, please run the below command:
dumpbin.exe /DEPENDENTS
See below links for more information.
* DUMPBIN Command Line
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/20y05bd5.aspx
* Description of the DUMPBIN utility
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/177429

6. Reference
* Escape from DLL Hell with Custom Debugging and Instrumentation Tools and Utilities
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/bb985842.aspx
* How to use Dependency Walker?
http://wiki.imacros.net/Dependency_Walker
http://www-archive.mozilla.org/quality/help/dependency-walker.html