Help (.hlp) Files - Cannot Open in Windows Fix

How to Open 32-bit Help (.hlp) Files that Require WinHlp32.exe in Windows​

   Information

Windows Help (WinHlp32.exe) is a Help program that has been included with Microsoft Windows versions starting with the Microsoft Windows 3.1 operating system. However, the Windows Help program has not had a major update for many releases and no longer meets Microsoft's standards. Therefore, starting with the release of Windows Vista and continuing in Windows 7, the Windows Help program will not ship as a feature of Windows 7 and newer. If you want to view 32-bit .hlp files, you must download and install the program (WinHlp32.exe) from the Microsoft Download Center below.

This tutorial will show you how to install and uninstall WinHlp32.exe (KB917607) for 32-bit .hlp files in Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1.

   Note

This is for when you try open an .hlp file in Windows, and you receive one of the following error messages in the Windows Help and Support window:

The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which depends on a feature that isn’t included in this version of Windows. However, you can download a program that will allow you to view Help created in the Windows Help format.

OR

Feature not included

OR

Help not supported

OPTION ONE

To Install WinHlp32.exe to be able to open .hlp Files in Windows

1. Click on the link below to go the Microsoft site. At the Microsoft site, click/tap on the link for the Windows you have installed.
Error opening Help in Windows-based programs: "Feature not included" or "Help not supported"



2. If Validation is Required before Allowed to Download
A) If you see a "Validation Required" message when you open the download page, then click/tap on the Continue button, and follow the on-screen instructions to validate your Windows. (see screenshot below)

3. Select the language of your Windows, and click/tap on the Download button. (see screenshot below)

4. Check the Windows#-KB917607-x64.msu or Windows#-KB917607-x86.msu box that is the same as your installed 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) Windows, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

5. Save the Windows#-KB917607-x64.msu or Windows#-KB917607-x86.msu file to your desktop.

6. Install the downloaded Windows#-KB917607-x64.msu or Windows#-KB917607-x86.msu file.

7. You should now be able to open 32-bit .hlp files using Windows Help and Support.

OPTION TWO

To Uninstall WinHlp32.exe (KB917607) from Windows

1. Open Installed Updates in Programs and Features.

2. Click on KB917607 to uninstall WinHlp32.exe. (see screenshot below)

3. When it's finished, you can close the Installed Updates window.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Create a "Windows Help and Support" Shortcut

 

[adj]

Problem using WinHlp32.exe - asks to copy file to new drive

Hi Brink, O wonderworking sage.

Running W7Ultimate with basically everything on the D drive, (apart from some old data on C). I downloaded and installed WinHlp32.exe but when I right-click on the file I want to open and say Open with WinHlp32.exe, I get the response "Cannot display this help file. try opening the help file again, and if you still get this message, copy the help file to a different drive, and try again." I copied the .hlp file to a USB key and tried again and it worked, opening the file correctly. OK, but why ? It seems an unnecessary bit of flummery.
More seriously, WinHlp32 does not itself allow one to save the opened file (one might want to re-read it - indeed with this one, which is about analysis of a large academic database, it will be essential), so by right-clicking on it, I saved it back from the USB key to the desktop. Is this really necessary ? Even after reading the description on Wikipedia of how .hlp files are organized, I cannot see the purpose of all this.

 

[Brink]

Hello adj,

It may be a issue with you having everything on D instead of C and when you ran the WinHlp32.exe file to install it.

 

[NoN]

Great to put that here...just to mention that registry settings had to be made:


"The following list shows the known functionality regressions from previous releases of WinHlp32.exe. The following known issues apply only to the version of WinHlp32.exe that is discussed in this article."

By default, the following macros are disabled in Windows Help:

• ExecFile
• RegisterRoutine
• ShellExecute
• ShortCut
• Generate
• Test
• ExecProgram

However, all other macros in .hlp files will function as they did in past releases. Therefore, if an .hlp file that depends on these macros is opened after you install Windows Help for Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2, some functionality of the file may not work correctly.

1. On 32-bit editions of Windows, locate and then select the following registry subkey:
2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft
3. 
   On 64-bit editions of Windows, locate and then select the following registry subkey:
4. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft
5. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.
6. Type WinHelp, and then press Enter.
7. Click the WinHelp key.
8. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
9. Type AllowProgrammaticMacros, and then press Enter.
10. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
11. In the Value data box, type 1, click Hexadecimal in the Base area, and then click OK.
12. Exit Registry Editor.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917607/en-us

 

[Keithuk]

I've always used Error opening Help in Windows-based programs: "Feature not included" or "Help not supported" which worked on Vista x86 and Windows 7 x86 but it wouldn't work on my Windows 8 x64, it said not compatible with my system even though I downloaded Windows 8 x64.

 

[Brink]

Hello Keith,

If you have not already, you might see if using the manual method below from the same link in step 1 may help.

Manually enable macros on a single computer

To enable macros on a single computer after you install WinHelp32.exe, follow these steps:

1. Log on by using an administrator account.
2. Press the Windows logo key + R, type regedit, and then click OK.
   
   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
3. On 32-bit editions of Windows, locate and then select the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft
   
   On 64-bit editions of Windows, locate and then select the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft
4. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.
5. Type WinHelp, and then press Enter.
6. Click the WinHelp key.
7. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
8. Type AllowProgrammaticMacros, and then press Enter.
9. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
10. In the Value data box, type 1, click Hexadecimal in the Base area, and then click OK.
11. Exit Registry Editor.

 

[Keithuk]

Thanks Brink but I'm very happy with Windows 7 now. I've actually gone away from making the old *.hlp files I use WinCHM Pro v4.41 and make *.chm help files.

 

[Brink]

Great news.

 

[aqcedward]

When trying to install the Windows8-RT-KB917607-x64.msu in my machine, it prompts an error "The update is not applicable to your computer". Can someone help me?

 

[Brink]

When trying to install the Windows8-RT-KB917607-x64.msu in my machine, it prompts an error "The update is not applicable to your computer". Can someone help me?

Hello Edward, and welcome to Eight Forums.

If you currently have Windows 7 installed as per your specs, you would need to download the update for Windows 7 instead of Windows 8.

 

[aqcedward]

Thanks Brink for the response

i might have overlooked the installer though, I just downloaded this one Windows6.1-KB917607-x64.msu since this is the available installer for windows 7 from MS site but this message was prompted:

"Update for Windows (KB917607) is already installed on this computer."

Its weird since i still can't open my .hlp file, still encountering this error "Cannot display this help file. Try opening the help file again, and if you still get this message, copy the help file to a different drive, and try again."

 

[Brink]

If you haven't already, see if you may be able to open the help file with it on your desktop.

 

[aqcedward]

I've attached the actual message prompt that i am encountering when trying to open the .hlp file

 

[Brink]

Did you already try right click, "Copy", and "Paste" the .hlp file to another location (ex: C:\Users\Public folders) to see if you could open it from there to see if it may be some sort of permissions issue?

 

[aqcedward]

yes i already did the copy and paste to other public folder but result happened...

 

[Brink]

If you like, Zip the file, and upload it here. I'll be happy to take a look at it to see if it does the same for me, and if I can come up with a solution.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[aqcedward]

Thanks brink! I have attached the file...

 

[Brink]

I just tested it in 64-bit Windows 8.1, and it works just fine after installing the KB917607-x64.msu update.

You might see if uninstalling and reinstalling the update for your 64-bit Windows 7 may help. In addition, check to make sure that the .hlp file is unblocked.

 

[aqcedward]

I followed your instruction about unblocking the file.. and it WORKED!!!! YOU ARE AWESOME BRINK! Thank you so much

 

[Brink]

Great news.