# DE Decompiler FAQ: code recovery, C++Builder and licenses > Answers about DE Decompiler: supported compilers, Delphi and C++Builder code recovery, VCL forms, Pascal export, Free Lite, AI Helper and licensing. Canonical HTML: ## Frequently asked questions Answers about supported applications, native-code decompilation, VCL forms and extensions. ### Which compilers and architectures are supported? DE Decompiler supports applications written in Delphi 3–13 and VCL applications built with C++Builder for Win32 and Win64. For C++Builder, form visualization, unit/class/function analysis and the other tools are supported; code is reconstructed as Delphi-like Pascal and exported as PAS/DFM. C++Builder-specific library RTTI knowledge bases are not yet available. Functions outside the shared VCL coverage, and object properties or methods that cannot be identified, may be shown without their library names. Code decompilation quality for C++Builder is therefore noticeably lower than for applications written in Delphi. This limitation concerns code-reconstruction quality and library-name recognition. The other supported features remain available for C++Builder under the same edition rules as for applications written in Delphi. ### Why choose DE Decompiler over competing products? DE Decompiler combines private offline analysis, native performance and long-standing reverse-engineering expertise: - **Private offline analysis.** Core decompilation and analysis run entirely on your computer. DE Decompiler does not upload analyzed files or decompiled data to DotFix Software servers and can be used with the network disconnected. Optional AI Helper processing can use local models through Ollama; a remote API service receives the code you choose to submit to it. - **Fast native implementation.** DE Decompiler is written in Delphi and compiled directly to machine code. Its decompilation engines operate without an intermediate bytecode, managed runtime or wrapper-based execution and do not depend on third-party libraries or frameworks. This specialized implementation provides high performance even on modest hardware; local AI models have separate hardware requirements. - **Human-engineered core algorithms.** The code implementing the key decompilation and analysis algorithms was designed without AI-generated code. These specialized engines reconstruct program logic, identify types and VCL calls, and connect the high-level listing with native instructions for detailed review. - **Continued development since 2007.** DE Decompiler was first sold publicly in 2007–2008 and continued to evolve for internal use before its public relaunch. It draws on the practical reverse-engineering experience of DotFix Software, which has developed software tools since 2001. - **Technical support seven days a week.** We answer customers every day, including weekends and public holidays. Analysts in different countries can obtain assistance without having to plan urgent investigation work around another country’s working week or holiday calendar. - **Tested in virtualized and compatibility-layer environments.** DE Decompiler is routinely tested with Wine, Parallels and Proton. These are verified usage scenarios for customers, including antivirus analysts and security teams. ### How much original code can be recovered? For applications written in Delphi, code recovery can reach up to 75%, comparable to VB6 Native Code recovery in VB Decompiler. This is an indicative upper estimate, rather than a guarantee for every application. The result depends on the compiler version, optimizations and the instructions and metadata preserved in the binary. This estimate does not describe C++Builder code recovery, whose quality is lower because C++Builder-specific library RTTI knowledge bases are not yet available. DE Decompiler reconstructs Delphi-like code, including conditions, case blocks, loops and recognized VCL calls. Machine code does not retain the original source text: variable names are often generated, data layouts may be inferred and some calls may lack their original VCL method names. The percentage describes reconstructed code, not a ready-to-compile source project. Recovered code requires manual review and correction before use in an IDE. ### Can I recover the exact original source project? DE Decompiler reconstructs forms, declarations and Delphi-like procedure code, including conditions, case blocks, loops and recognized VCL calls. Native binaries do not preserve the original source text: variable names are commonly generated, layouts may be inferred and some calls may lack their VCL method names. Before opening recovered code in an IDE, manually correct decompilation inaccuracies and incompatibilities and provide missing units, components and dependencies. ### Can I navigate from a VCL form to its event handler? Yes. Select a recovered event in the VCL form view to open its handler. This navigation is available for supported applications written in Delphi or built with C++Builder. ### Can I export recovered code and forms? Use **File > Save decompiled project** for Delphi project output. Use **File > Save all in one module** for a combined `.pas` listing. See [Saving recovered material](https://www.de-decompiler.com/help/saving_results.htm). C++Builder code is reconstructed as Delphi-like Pascal, with PAS/DFM output. It is not converted back into the original C++ source. As with other native-code reconstruction, review and correct inferred types, generated names and decompilation inaccuracies manually before using the recovered material in an IDE. ### Can I review an analysis without the original executable? A saved VDD database can retain recovered structure, form resources and cached native code. Undecoded procedures still require the matching executable. See [Analysis databases](https://www.de-decompiler.com/help/working_with_database.htm). ### What hardware does AI Helper require? Local AI processing needs hardware suitable for the selected model. See [AI Helper](https://www.de-decompiler.com/help/ai_code_enhancement.htm) for minimum and recommended GPU memory for the illustrated 27B model. These requirements apply to the machine running Ollama. ### Can I use custom plugins? FRX Image Viewer is available for recovered DFM pictures and recognized native ImageList icons; see [installation and downloads](https://www.de-decompiler.com/plugins.htm). The plugin interface and SDK are the same as in VB Decompiler. You can develop a plugin for your own analysis tasks using the [SDK and API reference](https://www.de-decompiler.com/plugins_sdk.htm). You can also ask an AI coding agent to implement a plugin: provide the SDK reference link and describe the required behavior, then review and test the resulting DLL in DE Decompiler. ### Can I obfuscate a Win64 application? Yes. The integrated obfuscator supports Win32 and Win64 VCL applications written in Delphi or built with C++Builder. ### What can I test with Free Lite? Free Lite provides VCL form inspection, native Win32/Win64 disassembly, syntax highlighting, procedure search and string references for supported applications written in Delphi or built with C++Builder. High-level Pascal code decompilation, AI Helper, the HEX Editor and obfuscation require a commercial license. [Download Free Lite](https://www.de-decompiler.com/download.htm) · [Compare commercial licenses](https://www.de-decompiler.com/order.htm) ### How do Single Developer and Enterprise differ? Single Developer is assigned to one named developer and one physical computer or locally hosted virtual PC. It cannot be shared between developers, rotated among team members, transferred or reassigned to another developer. Enterprise permits use within the licensed company by up to 20 users on up to 20 physical computers or locally hosted virtual PCs. Both provide the commercial product features. ### What happens when the first year ends? The installed version continues to work on the computer where it was activated. New versions, technical support and moving an activation to another computer require an active updates and support period. One-year renewals are available for both licenses. 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