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

• Thank you Johan99. Your suggestion helped but I had to change it on my system.
• The Registrykey HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\hlpfile\shell\open\command does not exist on build 16199.
• However: Registrykey HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp does so I changed the default value to "C:\users\temp\winhlp32.exe" %1
• Now my hlp file's open with no problems

Thanks again to all poster's on this thread!!!!!!!!!!!

I followed the instructions and now I can open help files on Windows 10. However, I installed XP winhlp32.exe 32 bit version on my 64bit Windows 10 machine. I get one error, even though the .hlp file opens. The error reads "Cannot find or load the file inetwh32.dll. This file should be copied to the C:\windows\system32 directory in your path." OK to follow this instruction?

Second, can you explain what the following 2 lines are for in your .cmd file?

icacls "%windir%\winhlp32.exe" /grant *S-1-5-32-544:F >nul

icacls "%windir%\winhlp32.exe" /setowner "NT Service\TrustedInstaller" >nul

Thanks much!
Eddo

Just a note, WinXP did have a 64-bit version available but only as the Professional edition.

After following your instructions, I tried to open a hlp file and it complained that I need inetwh32.dll in the c:\windows\system32 directory. I'm running Windows 10 Home. Any further instructions?

hannelius said:

here's a zip file i made
containing the winhlp32.exe from windows XP
i've been using for a year
along with instructions on how to replace it...
it works for me even on x64...
Attachment 65564
edit: this works on windows 8 and 10
even though the help file doesn't say so...
and probably 7 too though i haven't tried it...

I was recently raped by the Win10 big update, and Microsoft again reuninstalled my
old HLP format support that I managed to get again after original install by the tricks
described here. So Microsoft, will you please stop to play with my finely tuned system,
or pls provide some mean to stop all the updates altogether and forever.

Hi,

I had this problem yesterday

I have amended a batch file to help install it - here:

http://s228375290.websitehome.co.uk/...p/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 for me. I have 64-bit Windows 10. Thanks for posting the cmd file.

Worked for me - Win 10 using XP 64 bit file and Win10-Hlp32-Fix.cmd file

jamesrayner said:

Hi,

I had this problem yesterday

I have amended a batch file to help install it - here:

http://s228375290.websitehome.co.uk/...p/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

BLESS YOU! BLESS YOU! BLESS YOU! I created an account here for the sole purpose of thanking you, personally.

I have been struggling for *years* with this issue vs. Sony SoundForge. Any time I would perform certain actions in the software, this annoying browser window would pop up with the "cannot access help" message. It was a real pain when processing a large number of audio files, too.

Now, my only complaint is that I have to break myself of the habit of hitting alt+F4 following an execution of any of those actions. #FirstWorldProblems to say the least!

cheers,
john