Can't read older *.hlp files on Windows-10

jamesrayner said:

Hi, I had this problem yesterday I have amended a batch file to help install it - here: http://s228375290.websitehome.co.uk/work/WinHlp/winhlp32.zip
Extract the zip file to the users hard drive or desktop etc - make sure all the files are in the same folder or on the desktop
Right-click and do a "Run as administrator" on the batch file
It will install the working help file
It works on Windows 10 64 bit
I have induced a sample help file in the zip so you can test it too

Worked like a charm for me. Thanks a lot!

You said:

Here is the file

Hello from a pre-Windows programmer and thank you. I just replaced the M$ W10 stub version in the \Windows folder and it works fine (for BCB5 help). Seems that only limitation is lack of search.

Abdelhak said:

Here is a procedure that works, the zip file containing:
Readme.txt
RoboEX32.dll
Win10-Hlp32-Fix.cmd
winhlp32.exe (From Windows XP SP2 X64)

Microsoft OneDrive - Access files anywhere. Create docs with free Office Online.

Thank you so much -- this works in the year 2020 on my 64 WIN10 -- if anyone is wondering if the "32s" in the file names wouldn't work on a "64", they do perfectly -- just follow the concise instructions. That other Kumail fix isn't available to DL it appears anymore, but this fix is dynomite -- I can run Soundforge 7 again!! I almost had a heart attack that it worked on the first try. Unprecedented for this kind of stuff.

You said:

If you don't want to do all of that work, here is a copy of the Windows XP 32-bit winhlp32.exe file:

And the Virustotal report to prove that this is not a virus or fake copy: VirusTotal

A 64-bit Winhlp32.exe file will be posted soon!
(You'd better be grateful because I am installing XP x64 in a VM just for this! :P)

Thank You Thank You Thank You!

hello girls and boys,

Here my xperience with old problem:

• Today I want open a old help (HLP) for particular necessity
• as you know, in Win10 no way!
• Then, i did the follow:

1. I installed WinXP 32bits on a VM (VirtualBox)
2. I copied XP's "WinHlp32.exe" file and the script file by "kimio" into a folder like C:\MeusProgs\MyWinXPHelp32bits = 2files
3. And finally I ran the user's script by "kimio kanda" that copied "Winhelp32.exe" to my MSWin10 64bits C: \ Windows folder - overwriting the existing file
4. Ready! Again I can read my old HLP files

thanks for all

If you are running win10 64bit you will need the win xp 64 bit help program. The 32 bit version will not solve your issue.

You said:

Here is the file

Five years later, still working.

Thank you!

If you have a copy of winhlp32.exe simply put it in the same directory as the .hlp file you want to read or even on the desktop. Do not use Windows open commands but simply drag the .hlp file to the winhlp32.exe and the file will open in the usual way. I have tried this on 32 bit PC and a 64 bit laptop.
Good luck

- - - Updated - - -

Simple Fix for reading winhlp files in Windows10
1. past a copy of winhlp32.exe onto desktop or in the folder where the .hlp fils are.
2. Drag the xxxx.hlp file to the winhlp32.exe file and it will open normally.
3 Do not use shortcut or or windows open commands as windows may emasculate the file.
I have tried this successfully on 32 bit PC and also 64 bit Laptop both recent windows10.
Good luck

kimio kanda said:

How to read an old “.hlp file (*)” on Windows 10 (x64, or, x86)
(*): The “.hlp file” must be read, without any problem, on Windows XP, 2000, ME, or, 98/98SE.
The following is a procedure to be able to read an old “.hlp file” on Windows 10 (x86).
(1) First, get the winhlp32.exe existing in the Windows directory of Windows XP (x86).
(2) Make a temporary folder (for example D:\TEMP) on the HDD of Windows 10 (x86).
(3) Copy the winhlp32.exe (obtained by the #(1) step) into the temporary folder D:\TEMP.
(4) Make a file, named Win10-Hlp32-Fix.cmd, by using the text editor.
All of the contents of the file (Win10-Hlp32-Fix.cmd) are as follows;
@echo off
set crtpth=%CD%
takeown /f "%windir%\winhlp32.exe" >nul
icacls "%windir%\winhlp32.exe" /grant *S-1-5-32-544:F >nul
copy /y "%crtpth%\winhlp32.exe" %windir%
icacls "%windir%\winhlp32.exe" /setowner "NT Service\TrustedInstaller" >nul
echo.
echo Done.
echo.
echo Press any key to Exit
pause >nul
exit
(5) Therefore, you can find two files (winhlp32.exe and Win10-Hlp32-Fix.cmd) in the D:\TEMP.
(6) Open the Command Prompt window, by selecting "Run as administrator.”
(7) Then, move the prompt to the D:\TEMP directory, by using Change Directory (CD)command.
(8) Under this condition, execute the Win10-Hlp32-Fix.cmd command in the D:\TEMP directory.
(9) After the completion of this execution, you can read an old “.hlp file” on Windows 10 (x86).
Remarks:
In the case of Windows 10 (x64), please use the winhlp32.exe existing in the Windows directory of Windows XP (x64).

thanks

it's working on me

- - - Updated - - -

You said:

If you don't want to do all of that work, here is a copy of the Windows XP 32-bit winhlp32.exe file:

And the Virustotal report to prove that this is not a virus or fake copy: VirusTotal

A 64-bit Winhlp32.exe file will be posted soon!
(You'd better be grateful because I am installing XP x64 in a VM just for this! :P)

thank's

it's work on me