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How to open .hlp files on Windows 10/11 [Full Guide]

6 min. read

Updated onJuly 23, 2024

updated onJuly 23, 2024

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Resolve multiple Windows PC issues and speed up your PC effortlessly with specialized software.

Windows 10 is a modern operating system, therefore it has few compatibility issues with older software. For example, it can’t natively open .hlp files and there are several causes for this problem.

Many programs come with their own help files, and some older applications use .hlpformatfor those files.

Thisformatwas supported by older versions of Windows, but Windows 10 doesn’t have native support for it, which means that you can’t open .hlpfileson the newest OS from Microsoft.

Hlp files are commonly used for reading help documentation for older applications. However, according to users, they are unable to view .hlpfiles.

In this article, we’re going to present you with the solutions to fix this predicament, and how to open hlp files on yourWindows 10computer.

How do I open .hlp files in Windows 10?

1. Use adedicated third-party tool

If you want to open .hlp files on Windows 10, you can always use third-party solutions. We recommend you a tool that can be used for both authoring and opening these types of files.

It will also help you to create Help, policy, and knowledge base content. Using rich media, you can be sure that your text looks awesome and is easy to understand.

After creating the content, you can choose to generate the output for multiple platforms, web or mobile, or select from a variety of presets, such as PDF, HTML5, and more.

Adobe RoboHelp

2. Copy winhlp32.exe from Windows XP PC

Windows 10 doesn’t have a winhlp32.exe file that is in charge of .hlp files, and to fix this issue you can copy this file fromWindows XPif you have any old PC running Windows XP.

Also, if you have a Windows XP installation disc you can set up a virtual machine with Virtualbox on your PC, install Windows XP, and transfer winhlp32.exe.

If you don’t know how to set up a VM or what tools to use, we recommend you to take a look at ourdedicated guideand learn everything you need to know.

You might be able to download thisfileonline from third-party sources, but thatfilecan contain malware, therefore, use extra caution and be sure to scan it with your antivirus.

3. Convert .hlp files to PDF documents

Although .hlpfileshave their advantage, some users are suggesting that the best way to view thosefilesis to convert them toPDF documents.

This is a relatively simple procedure, but in order to do it, you need to find a proper converter online. There are many free converters online, so feel free to try any of them.

4. Use Command Prompt

@echo off

set crtpth=%CD%

takeown /f “%windir%winhlp32.exe” >nul

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

copy /y “%crtpth%winhlp32.exe” %windir%

icacls “%windir%winhlp32.exe” /setowner “NT ServiceTrustedInstaller” >nul

echo.

echo Done.

echo.

echo Press any key to Exit

pause >nul

exit

According to users, you might be able to open .hlpfileson your PC simply by running a few commands from Command Prompt, but you need to copy winhlp32.exe from Windows XP.

Keep in mind that you need to copy thefilefrom a 32-bit version of XP if you’re using a 32-bit version of Windows 10. The same goes for 64-bit versions.

If you copy winhlp32.exe from a 32-bit version of Windows XP to a 64-bit version of Windows 10, this procedure might not work.

After running Win10-Hlp32-Fix.cmd the issue should be resolved and you’ll be able to view .hlpfileson your PC. This is an advanced solution, so please read and follow the instructions carefully.

5. Drag the desired file to the winhlp32.exe

According to users, in order to view .hlpfilenaturally on Windows 10, you need to copy winhlp32.exe from a Windows XP.

However, you might also have to change your security permissions and replace certain system files.

According to users, you might be able to avoid all this trouble simply by finding the .hlpfilethat you want to open and dragging into the winhlp32.exefile.

This will open the .hlpfileautomatically without changing your security permissions and you’ll be able to view the contents of thefile.

6. Install the patched winhlp32.exe

The default application used to read .hlp files in older Windows platforms is Winhelp32.exe. Thus, we will try to install a version that is compatible with Windows 10.

To do this, you need to be able to open Command Prompt as admin. If you can’t open it as an administrator, you need to resolve this firstly, with the help of ourcomprehensive guide.

After installing it, you should be able to run .hlp files on your PC. Keep in mind that this solution is rather advanced, and if you’re not careful you can cause damage to your Windows installation.

Windows 10 doesn’t have native support to open .hlp files, but if you have an older application that still uses those files you can try to avoid this limitation by using one of our solutions.

If you have any other files with unknown extension, you can try to open them with thesebest software to open all types of files on Windows 10.

We’d like to hear your opinions on this issue so feel free to comment in the dedicated section below.

How to open .hlp files on Windows 10/11 [Full Guide]#

How do I open .hlp files in Windows 10?#

1. Use adedicated third-party tool#

Adobe RoboHelp#

2. Copy winhlp32.exe from Windows XP PC#

3. Convert .hlp files to PDF documents#

4. Use Command Prompt#

5. Drag the desired file to the winhlp32.exe#

6. Install the patched winhlp32.exe#