Just simple and practical thing

[felipe]

For the ones that use windows 8 or 10 and can't have the old help file suggested after the installation (in the first time using the editor; with f1) here is a simple solution, that worked for me:

I got that old hlp file, i installed a virtual box (vm) with windows xp and masm32 sdk, just to see that file. So i use masm32 sdk in windows 8 and when i want to see that old help file (f1) i run this vm.

[Vortex]

Hi felipe,

How to Open .Hlp Files in Windows Vista, 7 or 8 Which Require Windows Help Program (WinHlp32.exe)?

http://www.askvg.com/how-to-open-help-files-hlp-in-windows-7-that-require-windows-help-program-winhlp32-exe/

Windows Help program (WinHlp32.exe) for Windows 8

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35449

[jj2007]

I do use VirtualBox for old programs, but I wouldn't call it "simple" 8)

Here is somebody who claims that the XP version runs on Win10. Beware of the traps on that site, though.

[felipe]

Hi felipe,

How to Open .Hlp Files in Windows Vista, 7 or 8 Which Require Windows Help Program (WinHlp32.exe)?

http://www.askvg.com/how-to-open-help-files-hlp-in-windows-7-that-require-windows-help-program-winhlp32-exe/

Windows Help program (WinHlp32.exe) for Windows 8

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35449

This didn't work for me, after installation success i still can't open the hlp file directly in windows 8... :icon_exclaim:

[felipe]

I do use VirtualBox for old programs, but I wouldn't call it "simple" 8)

This is true, but just for doing simple things it's really straightforward. ;)

[Yuri]

Here is somebody who claims that the XP version runs on Win10.

Yes, it works. I've just copied winhlp32.exe from my XP partition to Win10. It doesn't have to sit in the Windows folder. A few extra entries in the Registry will make .hlp files be opened with it when you double click them. These settings are for the current user, so they will override those for all users in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and there is no need to change them.

Code Select Expand


Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\.hlp]
@="winhlp32file"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\winhlp32file]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\winhlp32file\shell]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\winhlp32file\shell\open]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\winhlp32file\shell\open\command]
@="\"D:\\PROGRAMS\\WinHlp32XP\\winhlp32.exe\" \"%1\""


[hutch--]

If you are talking about Winhelp files, just get the version in the MASM32 sub forum posted by Jim Giordano. Works fine on Win10. I don't know of anything that will read the ancient DOS help files that came with Microsoft programming environments.

[felipe]

If you are talking about Winhelp files, just get the version in the MASM32 sub forum posted by Jim Giordano. Works fine on Win10. I don't know of anything that will read the ancient DOS help files that came with Microsoft programming environments.

But where is that sub forum with that post? :redface:

[hutch--]

http://masm32.com/board/index.php?topic=5201.0

[felipe]

http://masm32.com/board/index.php?topic=5201.0

This really work! and of course it's much better than switching to a VM for see the hlp file. Thanks a lot Hutch!