WinHlp32 for Windows 10

In the eventuality that you have recently installed Windows 10, then there is a chance that you noticed that you are unable to open or read older help files. To be more precisely, whenever you attempt to access them, you get redirected to a page that explains that the latest version of Windows does not support these files anymore.

WinHlp32 is a tiny application designed to help you with this predicaments, meaning that it restores the ability to open and view the help or HLP files on Windows 10.

It is worth mentioning that the application does not have an interface, but is rather designed as a fix. Consequentially, you need to run the installer and follow the straightforward steps to complete the operation. Since the tool does not have a GUI, it means it does not come with settings or options and hence, you can know it works properly by opening a help file.

In case you change your mind that want to remove it, then you should be able to find it in Uninstall section in the Control Panel. At the same time, the tool does not affect anything on your system, so you should be able to preview the edits you made on the HLP files, meaning annotations, bookmarks or changes to the font and colors, for instance, exactly as you left them.

Not only did Microsoft remove the HLP reader from its latest operating system, but is seems it is also encourages developers to stop using the Windows Help app. Instead they recommend alternative file formats, such as XML, HTML or CHM. On the other hand, if you still have older Help files that you would like to access on a Windows 10 operating system, then perhaps WinHlp32 could come in handy.