---
title: "What is the difference between an EXE and a DLL?"  
description: "What is the difference between an EXE and a DLL?"  
author: "Sumit Kesarwani"  
published: 2014-04-10  
updated: 2020-09-15  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/interview/1954/what-is-the-difference-between-an-exe-and-a-dll  
category: ".net"  
tags: [".net"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# What is the difference between an EXE and a DLL?

DLL is an In-Process Component whereas EXE is an Out-Process Component. Exe is for single use whereas you can use DLL for multiple uses.

Exe can be started as standalone where DLL cannot be.

## Answers

### Answer by hanmandlu vasani

DLL\
1.it is a dynamic link libray\
it will load and execute runtime, used as part of EXE. it can not be run independently\
2.it runs in the application process memory, so it is called as in-process component\
3.it can be reused in an application\
4.it does not have main function or entry point

EXE\
1.it is an executable file, itselsf an application, which can be run independently\
2.it runs in separate process, so it is called out-process component\
3.it cannot be reused an application\
4.it has main function or entry point

### Answer by Sumit Kesarwani

DLL is an In-Process Component whereas EXE is an Out-Process Component. Exe is for single use whereas you can use DLL for multiple uses.

Exe can be started as standalone where DLL cannot be.


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Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/interview/1954/what-is-the-difference-between-an-exe-and-a-dll

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