Windows 10: Win10 v1909 - Run HLP files or Howto Convert

HLP files got deprecated in Win7 but workarounds worked.
Win10 v1909 appears to eliminate the ability to execute (use) HLP files.
I have a number of older programs that have or use HLP files including some of M$ old programs.
One program in particular -- a book I use frequently for reference -- was created using HLP and it will now NOT run.

QUESTIONS
1) Anyone have a recent solution to this issue applicable to v1909 and hopefully later?
I have tried a number of workarounds for prior version but none appear to work.

2) If HLP is in fact dead, anyone found a program (hopefully free) which will convert HLP files into some other
format such as CHM or PDF?

:)

 

Converting HLP files in Windows 10 to PDF or a usable format

Hi Chris

I'm Wilfredo S an Independent Advisor

According to what you describe and the known information The full format name of the files that use the HLP extension is Windows Help Format.

Microsoft defined the Windows Help Format standard. HLP files are compatible with the software applications available for devices running Linux, Mac OS, Windows.

The HLP file belongs to the category System Files as well as 298 other file name extensions listed in our database.

The most popular program for handling HLP files is Adobe RoboHelp, but users can choose from 8 different programs that support this file format. The software called Adobe RoboHelp was created by Adobe Systems Incorporated.

.

Unfortunately, the HLP files generated for older versions of Windows are not always displayed correctly in the Windows help viewer of the most recent installations.

In the following link you have some suggestions on how to convert the file

https://windowsreport.com/open-hlp-files-window...

and

https://www.tenforums.com/general-support/16982...

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised
on the site before you decide to download and install it.

I hope it helps you

 

How to Open old HLP files from Windows 10

Microsoft deprecated the old .hlp format over 10 years ago because of security risks.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/micros...-of-hlp-files/

I've converted some of my more useful .hlp files to .chm.

The replacement format for help files is the compiled HTMLHelp format (CHM). The look and use of a .chm help file is almost identical to that of the older .hlp files. In fact, the project files (table of contents, images, text etc.) used to compile a .hlp file can easily be converted to a .chm project. From there it's an easy step to recompile the project in .chm format. Microsoft of course don't release the project files for their Help files, but these can be recreated by decompiling the .hlp file. A step-by-step guide including links to the (free) software required is here:

http://www.help-info.de/en/Help_Info...converting.htm

 

.hlp file support

Sayan, et. al,

Are there help-file converters that will convert HLP files to CHM files that can be recommended.

--JohnH