Failed To Open Dlllist.txt For Reading Error Code 2 -

Batch script example:

if not exist dlllist.txt (
    echo Creating empty dlllist.txt...
    type nul > dlllist.txt
)
dlllist.exe @dlllist.txt

PowerShell example:

if (-not (Test-Path "dlllist.txt")) 
    New-Item -Path "dlllist.txt" -ItemType File
& "dlllist.exe" "@dlllist.txt"

If you are using Dependency Walker and keep seeing this error, you might be accidentally launching it with a script argument.

Once resolved, you can take steps to ensure it never returns: failed to open dlllist.txt for reading error code 2

  • Avoid batch profiling scripts unless you are an advanced user who has prepared all necessary input files.

    • For ScriptHookV or OpenIV errors:

    In almost all cases, this error is benign. It usually appears, you click "OK", and the rest of the program continues to function normally. However, if you see this error constantly popping up on system startup or when opening non-developer applications (like Microsoft Word or a game), that could indicate malware.

    Some older malware strains attempt to open or write to dlllist.txt as part of a DLL injection routine. If you see the error outside of Dependency Walker or custom scripts: Batch script example: if not exist dlllist

    The @ symbol indicates a response file — a text file containing arguments. Without this file, error code 2 appears.

    In 99% of cases, this error is not caused by a virus, corrupt Windows installation, or failing hard drive. It is caused by a legacy, but still widely used, tool called Dependency Walker (also known as depends.exe).

    Dependency Walker is a free tool that scans 32-bit and 64-bit Windows executables (EXE files) and dynamic link libraries (DLL files) to list all dependent modules. It is an essential utility for: PowerShell example: if (-not (Test-Path "dlllist

    The program looks for dlllist.txt in its current working directory (often the folder where the .exe resides). If the file is missing, CreateFile or fopen returns INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE or NULL, and GetLastError() returns 2.

    Common reasons: