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HLP File - What is an .hlp file and how do I open it?

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

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Overview

What is an HLP file? An HLP file contains help documentation used by Windows Help, a help program included with previous versions of Windows. Typically, the documentation helps users use a specific Windows app or feature. HLP files are now uncommon, since current versions of Windows do not include Windows Help.

More Information Starting with Windows 3.1, Windows included an online help program named Windows Help ( winhelp.exe or winhlp32.exe ). Windows XP was the last version of Windows to include the program by default. The program was available for download and use with Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1, but officially discontinued as of Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012. Windows Help used HLP files to show help documentation to users. The HLP files include not only documentation, but also indexes allowing users to navigate documentation more easily. Developers compiled HLP files using Microsoft Help Workshop ( HCW.exe ). NOTE: HLP files created for older versions of Windows may not be compatible with newer versions of Windows.

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.HLP File Extension

Windows Help File

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What is an HLP file?

An HLP file contains help documentation used by Windows Help, a help program included with previous versions of Windows. Typically, the documentation helps users use a specific Windows app or feature. HLP files are now uncommon, since current versions of Windows do not include Windows Help.

More Information

Starting with Windows 3.1, Windows included an online help program named Windows Help ( winhelp.exe or winhlp32.exe ). Windows XP was the last version of Windows to include the program by default. The program was available for download and use with Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1, but officially discontinued as of Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012.

Windows Help used HLP files to show help documentation to users. The HLP files include not only documentation, but also indexes allowing users to navigate documentation more easily. Developers compiled HLP files using Microsoft Help Workshop ( HCW.exe ).

NOTE: HLP files created for older versions of Windows may not be compatible with newer versions of Windows.

How to open an HLP file

You can open an HLP file with Microsoft Help Viewer (Windows), Adobe RoboHelp (Windows, Mac), or Help Explorer Viewer (Windows). Help Viewer is a Visual Studio add-on; it is not the same program as Windows Help.

How to convert an HLP file

You can use Adobe RoboHelp (Windows, Mac) or YpgSoft Windows HLP To RTF (Windows) to convert HLP files to other formats.

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Programs that open or reference HLP files

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Platform

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Windows

Adobe RoboHelp

Free Trial

Microsoft Help Viewer

Free

Help Explorer Viewer

Free Trial

YpgSoft Windows HLP To RTF

Free Trial

Mac

Adobe RoboHelp

Free Trial

Linux

Help Explorer Viewer

Free Trial

Category: System Files

Updated: August 8, 2022

FAQ

What is an HLP file?↓
An HLP file contains help documentation used by Windows Help, a help program included with previous versions of Windows. Typically, the documentation helps users use a specific Windows app or feature. HLP files are now uncommon, since current versions of Windows do not include Windows Help.
How do I open an .hlp file?↓
You can open an HLP file with Microsoft Help Viewer (Windows), Adobe RoboHelp (Windows, Mac), or Help Explorer Viewer (Windows). Help Viewer is a Visual Studio add-on; it is not the same program as Windows Help.
How do I convert an .hlp file?↓
You can use Adobe RoboHelp (Windows, Mac) or YpgSoft Windows HLP To RTF (Windows) to convert HLP files to other formats.

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