Winhlp32.exe

[Lang Murphy]

Searched the NG for info on this... didn't find any, so if this post
duplicates info already known to everyone, I apologize in advance.

Installed WinBatch 2003K the other day. Use help a lot in that program to
get function syntax, etc. Of course, it's the old help system and Vista
throws an error saying it no longer supports that help system.

Copied winhlp32.exe from an XP box. Couldn't delete or rename existing
winhlp32.exe because, I suppose, the system has it locked. So... Booted from
Vista DVD, select repair - command window, rename existing winhlp32.exe to
whatever, copy XP winhlp32.exe from USB thumb drive attached to system,
reboot and voila, old help system works.

(You can delete the existing file if you take ownership of it... but that
may jack up the permissions on it... I prefer the boot from DVD method, but
that's just my preference.)

Again, sorry if this is old news...

Lang

 

[Chad Harris]

Nice tip.

There was a thread here:

Windows Help program (WinHlp32.exe) is no longer included with Win

Saturday, October 14, 2006 11:02 AM

Hello All, just found this to-day as I was using one of my 32x programs and
looking for help.
for the full report look here

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917607

looks like Microsoft is saying to hell with suport of the older systems

So winhelp.exe is the old help? You can access the new one via helppane.exe
and I'm a little confused, because the cmd for it in XP was helpctr.exe (or
at least one I used)--so what is the difference? Is winhelp.exe XP's Help?
I miss the links to MSKBs that XP had. My understanding is that
helppane.exe or Help and Support on the start menu which isn't the MSKBs
but shares the same name can also be reached on the web via

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/default.msp

CH

 

[Chad Harris]

Windows Help program (WinHlp32.exe) is no longer included with Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/917607

I understand what it is, but not why you want it Lang.

CH

 

[Lang Murphy]

Chad,

Well... not sure about winhelp.exe... the file I copied is winhlp32.exe. As
I understand it, the winhlp32.exe that ships with Vista is just a
placeholder that throws the error msg when an app tries to access it for
help support. I'm not clear on how exactly winhelp.exe fits into the
winhlp32.exe scheme of things, if it does at all.

Lang

 

[Lang Murphy]

Chad,

I want it because it's the help system that shipped with WinBatch 2003K and
it contains all the function syntax and usage examples that I use frequently
because I don't have an encyclopedic memory <weak grin>.

There may be a few "legacy" apps that I use that still use .hlp files, for
good or ill. I use InfranView for modifying screenshots for documentation
and that, too, uses .hlp files. Although I don't really use the help for
InfranView, but I wear out the help file for WinBatch.

Thanks for the link, btw... my msg store doesn't go back to Oct.

Lang

 

[Chad Harris]

Thanks Lang. Makes sense.

CH

Chad,

I want it because it's the help system that shipped with WinBatch 2003K
and it contains all the function syntax and usage examples that I use
frequently because I don't have an encyclopedic memory <weak grin>.

There may be a few "legacy" apps that I use that still use .hlp files, for
good or ill. I use InfranView for modifying screenshots for documentation
and that, too, uses .hlp files. Although I don't really use the help for
InfranView, but I wear out the help file for WinBatch.

Thanks for the link, btw... my msg store doesn't go back to Oct.

Lang

 

[Lang Murphy]

np, Chad...

Lang

Thanks Lang. Makes sense.

CH

 

[Alexander Suhovey]

Didn't try following since didn't have a need to access HLP files under
Vista (yet?) but... Wouldn't it be easier to just change HLP file
association to winhlp32.exe you have copied from XP without overwriting
existing file?

Right-click HLP file > Open With... > Browse... > Navigate to folder you've
put XP's version of winhlp32.exe to and select it.

 

[Lang Murphy]

No... don't think so... the Vista winhlp32.exe is not the "real" file...
it's just a placeholder that, when called, throws the error msg that that
help system is no longer supported. Hence, if one -wants- the old system,
one must copy the old exe over the new exe.

Lang

 

[Alexander Suhovey]

Well, out of curiosity I've copied winhlp32 from XP installation, downloaded
some HLP files and it seems to work fine without overwriting any existing
system files on Vista. You can either change association as I've described
above or just double click XP's winhlp32 and you'll be presented with
standard file open dialog.

 

[Lang Murphy]

I think I know what you're saying... you copied winhlp32.exe to a different
directory than \Windows and associated the .hlp file extension to that
file... is that right?

Thanks,

Lang

 

[Alexander Suhovey]

Well of course:
" Wouldn't it be easier to just change HLP file association to winhlp32.exe
you have copied from XP without overwriting existing file?"

 

[Lang Murphy]

Round-about way of saying "copy file to different location". Whatever. I
understand your procedure now.

Lang