Win10 v1909 - Run HLP files or How to Convert

I have had this fun in the past, and found various methods of converting .hlp files, none satisfactory. So some years ago I 'sourced' a copy of winhlp32.exe (vn 5.1.2600.5512, dated 14/8/2008) - that may have been from an XP installation, or a MS download - all I know is that those downloads now offer to install one of a number of Windows updates which will supposedly add the .exe, but none (of course) for W10. This is for W8.1:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/down....aspx?id=40899
but I have not tried it, as I already have the .exe. There is a lot of discussion about the issue here:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...b08a71e?page=1
and it may be that somewhere in there is a link to a source that can be trusted.

If you manage to find the .exe, then you have to rename the 12 kB 'stub' file in the Windows folder called 'winhlp32.exe' (that involves taking ownership, then adding the requisite permissions), and then simply copy over the genuine article. The effect doesn't seem to last long, before an update or whatever screws it up again.

All-in-all it is a right pain, because MS wants to protect us from some potentially dangerous .hlp files (which may exist, of course). I'm happy to take my chances.

mngerhold:
Thanks for responding.
I was good to go through Win-7 with workarounds, but Win-10 killed everything in regard HLP.
I haven't tried running Office (my primary need for HLP) in compatability mode, but as you point out
Win-10 has a way of undoing things during updates so a real PITA. If I recall correctly, even putting
the required XP HLP exe and support files on Win-10 no longer works.

dw85745 said:

If I recall correctly, even putting the required XP HLP exe and support files on Win-10 no longer works.

Well, its working for me right now! No support files required, just winhlp32.exe of the right flavour.

Interesting.
I checked C:\windows and see I have what appears to be an XP copy of WinHlp32.exe (renamed so M$ doesn't kill and ALSO the correctly named WinHlp32.exe that Windows now defaults to, to generate the error message.
However, that file is TrustedInstaller protected and I can't delete because of permissions. Attempted to change permissions ( if doing it correctly as been awhile since played with permissions) and everything is grayed so no way to invoke. If I recall the last time I did this i had a bat file that took care of it all -- will have to check to see if still have.
Any suggestions or list of instructions on HOW TO?
.