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#1
WinHlp Files
Greetings Good Forum Folks:
I wish to download the WinHlp32.exe file. The MS Download site has links to this file for O/S up to 8.1, but nothing for Windows 10. Will the download for 8.1 run on Windows 10?
WinHlp Files
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New #2
.hlp files are no longer supported in Windows 10. Past WinHlp32.exe files from previous Windows OS's will not be relevant to Windows 10 Everything now is online: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/products/windows?os=windows-10. If that doesn't answer your questions then post it here.
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New #3
Yes, you will now have to look for alternate ways to find 'help' for certain applications now. Usually, now-a-days, the help for software that gets released directs you to their webpage for help with an internet shortcut.
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New #4
Unfortunately, much still useful third-party software also came with .hlp files, and it is reading those that is probably at the root of this question.
The .hlp format has been deprecated since Vista, ten years ago. This is because it had fundamental security flaws. The compiled html format (.chm) has been the supported format since then.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WinHelp#End_of_supportAt the 2006 WritersUA conference, Microsoft announced its intentions to phase out WinHelp as a supported platform. Ted Dworkin (Partner Director of WinHelp Experience) stated, "WinHelp does not meet the code standards established for Vista. These standards include security, reliability, and performance." He went on to say that WinHelp is designed in such a way that, "...we would have to rewrite it from the ground up to meet the Vista code standards. And that approach doesn't make sense given that we have two other Help systems in Vista."
It is actually possible to decompile a .hlp file and recompile it in .chm format. The .chm help looks and feels just like the old .hlp help. For some of my cherished 'older' software I have used the instructions (with links to third-party tools) that I mentioned in my post #70 here...
Can't read older *.hlp files on Windows-10
...alternatively, read the rest of that thread for ways to get winhlp32.exe to run in Windows 10 (did I mention the security risks?).
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New #5
Many, many thanks to all you fine folks who offered suggestions on how to solve this problem. The issue is corrected although it is a kinda' obtuse way to do it, and it will only work for people who have the necessary app.
The situation, at least in my case, revolves around programming apps in the Basic language. I've messed with it off and on (mostly off) for the last twenty years simply for the fun of it. My original app was Liberty Basic 4 which had a winhlp32.exe file included. Liberty Basic does not translate very well on Windows 10. However another version named Just Basic and is put out by the same folks who developed Liberty Basic (same login, same coding format, etc.) runs very well but does not include the file in question. So I install Liberty Basic, open the help file and dock it and use it as my help reference while running Just Basic.
I know my problem is very specific to my situation, but it may help those you have an old app that has a functioning help file.
Once again, thanks for all the replies.
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