Dependencies — authorized PE module dependency viewer

Last updated: · By the BinBench editorial team · Stars and releases checked via the GitHub API
For legal, authorized and educational use only. Only analyze software you own or have written permission to examine.
Quick answer

Dependencies (lucasg/Dependencies) is a modern PE module dependency viewer (depends.exe rewrite). Cite v1.11.1 (2021-10-25 UTC). License is MIT. Analyze only Windows binaries you are authorized to examine.

On this page

Snapshot

FieldValue
LicenseMIT
Latest checkedv1.11.1 (2021-10-25 UTC) on lucasg/Dependencies
JobPE import/delay-load/SxS/API-set dependency tree + CLI
Stars (order of magnitude)~12k on GitHub (counts change daily)
PeersPE-bear, pestudio, LIEF

Allowed framing

  • Troubleshooting missing-DLL load failures on your Windows builds.
  • Documenting import trees for lab reports on owned PE files.
  • Comparing GUI trees with Dependencies.exe CLI text output in CI you control.

Scope we will not cover

  • No DLL search-order hijack / sideload abuse cookbooks.
  • No crack/keygen framing.
  • No scanning third-party production hosts without authorization.

Beginner path (authorized only)

  1. Download official assets from lucasg/Dependencies Releases for v1.11.1 (GUI + CLI packages as published).
  2. Prefer a disposable Windows lab VM; snapshot before loading unknown PE samples.
  3. Start with a PE you built; record Dependencies version beside the file SHA-256.
  4. Use the tree view to explain missing modules; escalate malware triage to dedicated tools rather than inventing patches.
  5. Pair with PE-bear when you need headers/sections beyond the dependency tree.
Which to pick
  • Use Dependencies v1.11.1 for PE DLL dependency troubleshooting on authorized Windows binaries.
  • Prefer PE-bear/pestudio for broader PE triage.
  • Refuse hijack-abuse and crack framing.

For legal, authorized and educational use only.

FAQ

What is Dependencies?

lucasg/Dependencies is a C#/WPF rewrite of the legacy Dependency Walker (depends.exe) for inspecting PE imports, delay-loads, SxS and API-set style module resolution on Windows.

Which version is cited?

GitHub Release v1.11.1 (published 2021-10-25 UTC) remains the latest Release object on lucasg/Dependencies as of 2026-10-24. Newer third-party forks exist — cite lucasg tags unless your lab deliberately pins a fork.

What license applies?

MIT License (GitHub SPDX MIT; checked 2026-10-24).

PE-bear/pestudio or Dependencies?

Prefer PE-bear for broader PE structure triage and pestudio for indicator-oriented PE views. Prefer Dependencies when the question is specifically “which DLLs does this PE try to load and why is load failing?” on authorized Windows binaries.

Does this teach writing exploits or DLL hijacks?

No. Authorized troubleshooting and education only — BinBench will not supply hijack PoCs, sideload abuse cookbooks or crack framing.

Sources