An optional integer value that specifies the load flags to apply when resolving import dependencies of the module. The default value is 0. For a list of supported flag values, see the `LOAD_LIBRARY_SEARCH_*` entries in [LoadLibraryEx](/windows/win32/api/libloaderapi/nf-libloaderapi-loadlibraryexw).

When the operating system resolves the imports of a module, it uses the [default search order](/windows/win32/dlls/dynamic-link-library-search-order). This behavior is similar to the behavior of [LoadLibrary](/windows/win32/api/libloaderapi/nf-libloaderapi-loadlibrarya). Use the **/DEPENDENTLOADFLAG** option to specify a *load_flags* value that changes the search path used to resolve imports. On supported operating systems, it makes import resolution behave more like [LoadLibraryEx](/windows/win32/api/libloaderapi/nf-libloaderapi-loadlibraryexa) when using the *load_flags* parameter. For information on the search order set by *load_flags*, see [Search order using LOAD_LIBRARY_SEARCH flags](/windows/win32/dlls/dynamic-link-library-search-order#search-order-using-load_library_search-flags).

This flag can be used to make [DLL planting attacks](/windows/win32/dlls/dynamic-link-library-security) more difficult. For example, consider an app that imports a dependent DLL by name. An attacker could plant a DLL with the same name earlier in the import resolution search path, such as the application directory. If you specify the link option `/DEPENDENTLOADFLAG:0x800` (the value of the flag `LOAD_LIBRARY_SEARCH_SYSTEM32`), then the module search path is limited to the %windows%\system32 directory. Protected directories are more difficult - but not impossible - for an attacker to change. For more information, see [Dynamic-Link Library Security](/windows/win32/dlls/dynamic-link-library-security).