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CHM File - What is a .chm file and how do I open it?

Learn about .CHM files and view a list of programs that open them.

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Overview

What is a CHM file? A CHM file contains help documentation compiled and saved in a compressed HTML format. It may include text, images, and hyperlinks. CHM files are used by Windows programs as an online help solution. They are compressed using LZX compression.

More Information CHM file open in Microsoft HTML Help Executable As help documentation has improved and progressed toward website and browser-based formats, the CHM format has largely been retired. Most programs no longer use CHM-based help documentation, and most programs that previously opened CHM files are either unmaintained or no longer open CHM files. NOTE: While CHM files typically contain help documentation, some contain eBooks.

Popularity3.7/5

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DeveloperMicrosoft
Popularity3.7 | 99 Votes

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.CHM File Extension

Compiled HTML Help File

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What is a CHM file?

A CHM file contains help documentation compiled and saved in a compressed HTML format. It may include text, images, and hyperlinks. CHM files are used by Windows programs as an online help solution. They are compressed using LZX compression.

More Information

CHM file open in Microsoft HTML Help Executable

As help documentation has improved and progressed toward website and browser-based formats, the CHM format has largely been retired. Most programs no longer use CHM-based help documentation, and most programs that previously opened CHM files are either unmaintained or no longer open CHM files.

NOTE: While CHM files typically contain help documentation, some contain eBooks.

How to open a CHM file

In Windows, you can open a CHM file by double-clicking it. When you do, the CHM file will appear within Microsoft HTML Help Executable.

If your CHM file contains an eBook, you can open it in Calibre (multiplatform) or another eReader that supports the CHM format.

How to convert a CHM file

You can use G.D.G. Software Chm To Exe (Windows) to extract the .HTM files, images, and other constituent files a CHM file contains. You can also use Chm To Exe to convert a CHM file to the .EXE format. However, to complete the conversion to the EXE format, you must also install G.D.G Software HTML Executable.

Open and view .CHM files with File Viewer Plus . Free Download

Programs that open CHM files

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Windows

File Viewer Plus

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Get it from Microsoft

Free +

Microsoft HTML Help Executable

Included with OS

G.D.G. Software Chm To Exe

Free

Calibre

Free

Mac

Calibre

Free

Linux

Calibre

Free

Category: Web Files

Updated: March 23, 2023

FAQ

What is a CHM file?↓
A CHM file contains help documentation compiled and saved in a compressed HTML format. It may include text, images, and hyperlinks. CHM files are used by Windows programs as an online help solution. They are compressed using LZX compression.
How do I open a .chm file?↓
In Windows, you can open a CHM file by double-clicking it. When you do, the CHM file will appear within Microsoft HTML Help Executable.
How do I convert a .chm file?↓
You can use G.D.G. Software Chm To Exe (Windows) to extract the .HTM files, images, and other constituent files a CHM file contains. You can also use Chm To Exe to convert a CHM file to the .EXE format. However, to complete the conversion to the EXE format, you must also install G.D.G Software HTML Executable.

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