I think the main concern here is the directory containing the application (especially if it's in the downloads directory), which is always first in the search o

I think the main concern here is the directory containing the application (especially if it's in the downloads directory), which is always first in the search order on Windows [1]. There was an article in the Old New Thing blog about how this is because the application's directory is expected to be its own safe package, usually a subdirectory of Program Files. You're talking about the current working directory, which can be different, and you're right it was moved later in the search order in XP SP2 (also mentioned in [1]). I had no idea it was ever searched at all, so thanks for that! [1] https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/dlls/dynamic-link-library-search-order#standard-search-order-for-desktop-applications https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/dlls/dynamic-...