Error opening Help in Windows-based programs: "Feature not included" or "Help not supported"

Dependencies on "How to Use Help" files

The Help files that are titled "How to Use Help" were removed from Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. The following files were removed:

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  Windows.hlp
  
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  Winhlp32.hlp
  
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  Winhlp32.cnt
  
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  Winhelp.cnt
  
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  Nocntnt.cnt
  

Notes

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  These files are not included in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2.
  
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  The .hlp files that depend on these files may return an error when you try to open them.
  

How to address compatibility issues that are related to WinHlp32.exe
You can use the WinHlp32.exe to view 32-bit Help files. This release provides Group Policy settings and registry subkeys that you can use to work around application-compatibility issues. For example, the Group Policy settings and registry subkeys can be used to resolve issues that are related to macros in .hlp files and to access .hlp files that are stored on intranet sites. However, if users view Help files from an unknown source, the computer will be put at more risk if they enable these policies or these settings. Therefore, you should use caution when you decide whether to implement the application-compatibility workarounds that are described in this section.

Use the following questions to determine whether to install WinHlp32.exe, and which policy changes and registry changes to make.

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  Do you have to have the applications and the functionality that are affected by the removal of WinHlp32.ex?
  
  • 
    How many applications require WinHlp32.exe? How many applications are affected by the functionality changes? How important are these applications?
    
  • 
    How severe is the malfunction that's caused by the changes?
    
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  What are your security requirements and security capabilities?
  
  • 
    Which is more important: That you can use the WinHlp32.exe functionality or that you make sure that your security is as strong as possible?
    
  • 
    Do external security measures, such as a local or a corporate firewall, give you sufficient confidence that you can install WinHlp32.exe and make the policy changes or the registry changes that are described in this article?
    
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