What is the DPL file format?
A .dpl file is a Delphi Package Library, a Windows DLL-format dynamically linked library introduced with Borland Delphi 3 in 1997. It is a standard Windows PE executable containing Delphi-specific package metadata: a unit dependency table, exported class and procedure symbols, and compiled Delphi object code. The file exports a RegisterModule entry point recognized by the Delphi IDE and runtime.
The .dpl format was short-lived. Borland replaced it with .bpl (Borland Package Library) in Delphi 4 (1998). Modern Delphi development uses .bpl exclusively; .dpl files are obsolete artifacts encountered only in Delphi 3-era projects.
Because .dpl files are standard Windows PE/DLL executables, general-purpose PE inspection tools such as Dependency Walker (depends.exe) and CFF Explorer can read their exports and import tables.
The .dpl extension is also used by two unrelated formats:
- KakaoTalk PotPlayer stores media playlists as plain-text
.dplfiles listing media file paths. - The discontinued DPL Digital Photo Librarian application (Oneil Software) used
.dplfor its proprietary image database.
File context - Delphi project directory versus media player settings folder - is usually sufficient to determine which format a given .dpl file represents.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMDPL is a PE executable/DLL - treat with the same caution as any DLL. Do not load DPL files from untrusted sources; a malicious DPL could execute arbitrary code when loaded by the Delphi IDE or runtime.
Format details
in a nutshell- KakaoTalk PotPlayer Playlist - PotPlayer (Windows media player) uses .dpl as a plain-text playlist file listing media file paths.
- DPL Digital Photo Librarian Database - Proprietary database for Oneil Software's DPL Digital Photo Librarian photo catalog app (discontinued).
Programs that open DPL files
Windows3 apps
Delphi (IDE)
Paid Legacy Delphi 3 DPL packages can only be installed in Delphi 3; modern Delphi/RAD Studio uses BPL only.
Dependency Walker (depends.exe)
Free Open the DPL as a DLL to inspect exported symbols and dependency chain (read-only inspection).
PE Explorer / CFF Explorer
Free Inspect DPL as a PE binary - view sections, exports, and Delphi package metadata. Technical details
deep spec| Encoding | Binary |
| Byte order | Little-endian (Windows PE) |
| Container | Windows PE (Portable Executable) DLL |
| Magic bytes | 0x4D 0x5A ("MZ") - standard Windows PE/DLL header |
| Typical file size | 50 KB - 5 MB |
| Delphi version | Delphi 3 (1997, Borland Software) |
| Superseded by | .bpl (Borland Package Library) starting with Delphi 4 (1998) |
| Exported entry point | RegisterModule - recognized by Delphi IDE and runtime |
| Internal content | Unit dependency table, exported class/procedure symbols, compiled Delphi object code |
| OS | Windows only |
| Unrelated uses | PotPlayer playlist (plain text); discontinued DPL Digital Photo Librarian database |
| Detection note | MZ header alone does not identify as Delphi package; Delphi-specific PE sections required |
| Released | 1997 (Delphi 3) |
DPL conversions
Community Q&A
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