Winhlp32.exe

[paulv44]

I am unable to create a file association to open *.hlp files with winhlp32.exe.
Any suggestions please.

 

[Dixon Butz]

You may try this method in this post

Winhlp32 - Windows 7 Forums

 

[paulv44]

If I put the winhlp32.exe from the Windows\system32 folder on the desktop, and drop a *.hlp file on it, the help file opens, but I can't create an association with the *.hlp files to open automatically.

 

[paulv44]

Win 32hlp in Windows 7 RC

The win32hlp.exe file is included in the Windows 7 RC.

What I am attempting to do is:

Open Control Panel, Default Programs, Associate a File Type with a Protocol or Program.

Go to the .hlp extension and click the Change Program icon.

Browse to Windows\System32\winhlp32.exe, and click okay.

The default program (Windows Winhlp32 Stub), will not change.

Would someone who has the RC, please try this and see if it works for you?

Thanks.

 

[SIW2]

Hi,

Mine says it is already associated - see top left - what does yours say?



Are you looking in the right place - it is \Windows\Winhlp32.exe



You are right - it won't change, and it won't open .hlp files - never noticed before. It is only a stub, just 10kb.

 

[SIW2]

You can use this, just extract the .zip, right click and run as admin - browse to the .hlp file you want to open :

View attachment winhlp32.zip

 

[paulv44]

Yes, the hlp files can be opened, but the possibility of creating an association with winhlp32.exe is not available.
Am I correct?

 

[SIW2]

Seems to be the case.

 

[SIW2]

It's not keen on letting you add it to Open With, but you can create a shortcut, and put that in the Send To menu.

Seems to work fine.

 

[paulv44]

Thanks for your assistance.

The more I use Windows 7, the more I like it, except for some items, such as the above, and lack of a full screen dos window.

I have XP Pro and skipped Vista to try Windows 7.

 

[Dixon Butz]

I associated it using the "open with" from the context menu.

 

[paulv44]

I can't do it using the RC version of Windows 7.

 

[Dixon Butz]

Did you right click on a .hlp file and select "Open With"?
Open with box comes up.
Then click other programs arrow (the tiny down arrow on the right.)
Browse button
Browse to Win32hlp.exe

 

[paulv44]

Yep, can't make the association. Do you have the RC or Beta? Perhaps it worked in the beta?

 

[Dixon Butz]

Using 7127
Can you get to the Open With on right clicking a hlp file?

 

[SIW2]

You get the open with, but cannot add to it. Not on 7100 anyway.

 

[Dixon Butz]

I just added it on one of my other pc's with 7100

 

[SIW2]

That's curious - it definitely won't allow any change to the Open With menu for .hlp on my 7100 x64.

I can browse to the same winhlp32.exe that was added succesfuly to the Send To menu.

However, it is not added to to the Open With, it remains unchanged.

 

[Dixon Butz]

32bit here.
No mouse drivers for 64 so I won't be installing. Mouse moves too slow.

 

[paulv44]

Mine is 7100 x32. Can't change openwith. Fixed in 7127 maybe?