Generate PDB from .NET DLL file?

You can use ILSpy. This is the handy free app for disassembling and generating pdb for managed dll's.


PDB contains debug symbols related to DLL, and would normally be built together with the DLL. To enable generating pdb files go to project Properties, Build tab, Advanced... button and select in Debug Info field "pdb-only" or "full":

Visual Studio generate PDB

If you need to debug a thirdparty assembly without sources, then dotPeek and ReSharper will be extremely helpful having an option to generate PDB from DLL. In ReSharper, this can be done through ReSharper > Windows > Assembly Explorer by opening necessary assembly and clicking "Generate Pdb...":

Resharper Generate PDB


Even you have no sources and code obfuscated, you can create pdb by recompile with ildasm and ilasm:

  • decompile assembly by ildasm: ildasm /out=assembly_name.il assembly_name.dll
  • complile with ilasm: ilasm assembly_name.il /dll /pdb

Actually you can do it also with dotPeek from 1.2 version onward.

Right click the assembly in Assembly Explorer, and select "Generate Pdb". It also has the option to generate files for referenced assemblies all at once.

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Tags:

C#

.Net

Debugging

Pdb Files

Disassembly

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