Test Excel macros , XLM , (Excel 4 Macros) winhlp32 files

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Testing and notes in preparation for possible blog on
Excel macros , XLM , (Excel 4 Macros)

---

Excel macros , XLM , (Excel 4 Macros)
Introduction

.
The vagueness of Excel macros , XLM , (Excel 4 Macros)
Before Visual Basic for Applications, VBA, there were Excel macros, XLM.
The concept of XLM is very different from Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros.
VBA was introduced in Excel version 5.0 so these older macros are also known as Excel 4 Macros.
We basically have a lot of single commands, the execution of which does something. The actual way that you can use them seems to be a bit vague. Possibly this is because they have been continued to be supported in newer Office versions and can be used in various ways. It’s not too clear how these ways relate to the original way that they were used before Visual Basic for Applications.
The help information has been continually withdrawn, and it’s possible that the very latest versions of Office my not support them anymore.
So there may be a conscious or unconscious policy to confuse the issue.

There are ways to use an individual command, ( an individual Excel macro ), or a sequential list of them. Typically a list of them would be held in a file looking something with a modern spreadsheet but having the extension .xlm
In many cases the commands do something and / or return something, so they could be thought of as methods or functions.
Often a list of the possible commands would be referred to as a list of excel 4.0 macro functions.
Nobody is sure anymore of what all the possible commands / excel 4.0 macro functions are, or if they all still work, so there is no comprehensive list

Working on closed workbooks
What first interested me in these old Excel macros , XLM , (Excel 4 Macros) things was seeing that they come close to doing sometimes something like the VBA Evaluate function working with a closed workbook reference. The VBA Evaluate function won’t work with a closed workbook reference, which always annoyed me.
http://www.eileenslounge.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=25213
https://eileenslounge.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=34952
https://www.excelforum.com/excel-pro...ml#post5363303

Single value limitation, non array characteristic
One limitation worth pointing out an early stage to avoid possible over excited over possibilities with Excel macros , XLM , (Excel 4 Macros), is that typical commands/functions that return something will unlikely return anything other than a single value


Using Excel macros , XLM , (Excel 4 Macros)
General: In a Cell or Cells
Nobody can remember exactly how Excel macros , XLM , (Excel 4 Macros), were ever used, but approximately they seem to have been used like a modern Excel function, so like
=TheExcel4MacroCommandFunctionThing
But typing one of the old XLM commands/functions in a cell like that doesn’t seem to work in a modern Excel spreadsheet cell. In fact it would likely give you an error: A modern Excel wont recognise the thing as a name or function.
There seems to be a mixture of ways to get things working… , and a couple of things help us often, couple of general observations:
_(i) The common factor in getting the macro commands to run seems to be somehow referring to them. We often see this in Excel and VBA: We sometime talk about “exposing the interface…” : We find in Excel and VBA that sometimes a thing springs into life, or gets done if we are :
refer to a thing;
or
refer to where a thing is at;
or
using/calling its name.
For us, the thing of interest is named ranges. We will consider this in more detail later
_ As part of the compatibility measures present in newer Excel versions, we may add a macro sheet, a “4.0 Macro sheet in a Microsoft Excel” : this may be done via shortcut keys, Ctrl+F11 or from menus after right clicking on a worksheet tab, as in this screenshot
InsertMaco2Sheet.JPG : http://i.imgur.com/JtaUKCQ.jpg
Attachment 3468


We can type our commands, like =TheExcel4MacroCommandFunctionThing in this macro worksheet, and it wont error. We will discuss how we can then use these commands in such a worksheet in detail later







Ref
https://exceloffthegrid.com/using-ex.../#comment-9200
https://www.excelforum.com/excel-pro...ml#post4440076
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1S4UJsL62w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpV__z0iZmo
https://www.mrexcel.com/board/thread...11/#post-95601
https://www.mrexcel.com/board/thread...2#post-5210188

[DocAElstein]

Post for later use

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Post to use later, need URL now

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Old Excel 4 Macros help File
I found a Folder in an old computer
Normal Share ‘FoundMacro4Stuff’ https://app.box.com/s/5g8b5kh62jcxi4rb6niv8h90lh72gt5d
and
zip Share ‘FoundMacro4Stuff.zip’ https://app.box.com/s/jvh0q4jzx0a83r7yiryhs16sa2iq09l3
form
It has a few things in it http://i.imgur.com/9Br7Lb7.jpg
macrofun.exe
BOOTEX.LOG
Readme.txt
Macrofun.cnt

One of the files is some sort of Cabinet exe thing
http://i.imgur.com/rjq7QoL.jpg http://i.imgur.com/65NUgQO.jpg
Share ‘macrofun.exe’ -
Further examination of the exe file tells you its some sort of Win32 Cabinet Self-Extractor
http://i.imgur.com/AhwC8ok.jpg

I don’t know what that is, but if I double click on it I go through some sort of setting up / installing or similar process set of windows
http://i.imgur.com/yLbydAD.jpg http://i.imgur.com/X5LSH6i.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vdxlFDj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Vn431Vn.jpg http://i.imgur.com/bxO7u5c.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/TtHS3mD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7YMUotF.jpg http://i.imgur.com/kqwbHye.jpg
I end up with a .cnt file and a .hlp file, ( and a txt read me file )
http://i.imgur.com/7vD1GCw.jpg http://i.imgur.com/xT9ajOA.jpg

If I double click on that cnt I get nothing useful, but if I double click on the hlp file on an old computer then I get a nice useful user friendly thing to tell me all about Excel4 Macro stuff
http://i.imgur.com/ygnV6U0.jpg http://i.imgur.com/CCVPfeV.jpg

[DocAElstein]

Notes from here
https://www.pconlife.com/fileinfo/winhlp32.exe-info/


later

[DocAElstein]

Test

Rought notes just testing


We are looking for a solution to get the .hpl file to come up when double clicking on it
A solution involves doing once something of this form:
- Right-click a .hlp file.
- Select Open With... from the context menu.
- If you see winhlp32.exe, select it and tick the check box 'Always use this app to open .hlp files'. then click OK.
- If not, click 'More apps', then scroll down and select 'Look for another app on this PC'.
- Browse to C:\Windows\System32, locate and select winhlp32, then click OK.
I n short, that works well. I had success with this. Sometimes some tweaking was necessary…

For future reference this was the full story
Vista

I had a couple of different situations which required different actions to get the thing working
Situation 1 ( Vista )
On some Vista computers, double clicking on a .hlp does nothing.
Right clicking on a .hlp file gave me an error, which in English translates to something like
No program is assigned to the file to carry out this action. Create an assignment in the "Control Panel" under "Assignments".
I went looking where that error told me to look, but such a thing did not exist. By luck, on typing in the suggested thing in the explorer top right search bar, I saw something along the lines of Standard Program , which looked promising
After clicking around a bit I Got to a window similar to what you often get after a ---Right-click on a file ---- - Select Open With ---- action
I then did something which is my German equivalent of something like Look for another app on this PC'.
- Browse to C:\Windows\System32, locate and select winhlp32.exe , then click OK..
( I don’t yet have my winhlp32.exe at a typical Windows system type place. So I navigated to where it was and did the German equivalent of select and OK on it.
That seemed to do the job, - then after a double click on my .hlp file opened it up
( Note however, that whilst the double left click opens the help file, the right click followed by Open With still gives me the original error )


Situation 2 (Vista)
Double clicking on a .hlp file brings up a window telling you that the hlp stuff is out of date and unsupported . ( You will find a lot of reports on the internet from people who see this window a lot ).
Right clicking on the .hlp file and selecting Open With shows you that some program is assigned.
If you simply ignore that , then browse to find the winhlp32.exe where ever you have it, then select it and then OK.
That seemed to do the job, - then after a double click on my .hlp file opened it up

A last Note on Vista
I don’t have an infinite number of Vista machines, and based on some googling I expect sometimes a solution like I needed in my Windows 7 machines might be needed.

Windows 7
Initially the situation appeared to be similar to that last situation 2 Vista: Right clicking on the file gets me an open with option, and that suggest some program is assigned to it.
Double clicking on a .hlp file brings up a window telling you that the hlp stuff is out of date and unsupported
At this point it differs from the Vista situation, in that after doing, (from that right click , open with) the browsing, selecting, OK stuff, we find the situation has not changed and we have the same situation as at the beginning.
_... I followed the first part of this How to delete a file association in Windows 7
After this, I got as they suggested at that link, on a right click on a help file, a new window
I then find that the working solution is to do something via the Control panel, similar to the very first situation 1 Vista
http://i.imgur.com/cD7mrtT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oJ0in2l.jpg

[DocAElstein]

Some expanded notes related to these Thread Posts https://eileenslounge.com/viewtopic....569efb#p281642
https://www.tenforums.com/general-su...ml#post1350832


…. Associating wonks…
We are looking for a solution to get the .hlp files to come up when double clicking on it
In particular here, we are investigating a suggested solution which involves doing once something of this form:
- Right-click a .hlp file.
- Select Open With... from the context menu.
- If you see winhlp32.exe, select it and tick the check box 'Always use this app to open .hlp files'. then click OK.
- If not, click 'More apps', then scroll down and select 'Look for another app on this PC'.
- Browse to C:\Windows\System32, locate and select winhlp32, then click OK.
Something that looks something along these lines: http://i.imgur.com/oWZZ0kw.jpg http://i.imgur.com/LwYnvHS.jpg
In short: that works well. I had success with this. Sometimes some tweaking was necessary… The following are the notes from that.

Vista

I had a couple of different situations which required different actions to get the thing working
Situation 1 ( Vista )
On some Vista computers, double clicking on a .hlp does nothing.
Right clicking on a .hlp file gave me an error, which in English translates to something like
No program is assigned to the file to carry out this action. Create an assignment in the "Control Panel" under "Assignments".
I went looking where that error told me to look, but such a thing did not exist. By luck, on typing in the suggested thing in the explorer top right search bar, I saw something along the lines of Standard Program , which looked promising
After clicking around a bit I Got to a window similar to what you often get after a ---Right-click on a file ---- - Select Open With ---- action
I then did something which is my German equivalent of something like Look for another app on this PC'.
- Browse to C:\Windows\System32, locate and select winhlp32.exe , then click OK.. ( I don’t yet have my winhlp32.exe at a typical Windows system type place. So I navigated to where it was and did the German equivalent of select and OK on it. )
That seemed to do the job, - then after a double click on my .hlp file opened it up
( Note however, that whilst the double left click opens the help file, the right click followed by Open With still gives me the original error Via the Controlpanel I see http://i.imgur.com/gl06ZKH.jpg )
( Note also: In this case, untypical an unassociate software has all options available - See later ** in next post for more details http://i.imgur.com/HSaIsTs.jpg )

Situation 2 (Vista)
This is the more common situation.
Double clicking on a .hlp file brings up a window telling you that the hlp stuff is out of date and unsupported . ( You will find a lot of reports on the internet from people who see this window a lot. Often this process and/or the associated file is somehow referred to with the word “Stub”** ).
Right clicking on the .hlp file and selecting Open With shows you that some program is assigned. -** A general concept similar to this may be referred to as a “help stub” , a sort of Microsoft support but without any support at all. All of the downloads suggested there, or at other Internet sites , either aren’t available anymore, or don’t work.
If you simply ignore the suggested “stub” file association , then browse to find the winhlp32.exe where ever you have it, then select it and then OK.
1_RightClickOpüenWith 2_Browse 3_Select 4_Open(Select) 5_OK
That seemed to do the job, - there after, a double click on my .hlp file opened it up


Some other notes on Vista
I don’t have an infinite number of Vista machines, and based on some googling I expect sometimes a solution like I needed in my Windows 7 machines might be needed: Start using keys MicrosoftSymbol+r or some similar route via the start menu ( bottom left Microsoft Symbol ). …_
Microsoft Symbol Run.JPG , GetIntoVistaRegisterEditor.JPG : http://i.imgur.com/VwprMgF.jpg , http://i.imgur.com/ai1s0JN.jpg
_.. etc.. as in next section Windows 7 for how to to delete a file association …
Even if the dissociation is not necessary , it does Appear to tidy things up a bit. The disassociation clears away the Stub, and if you then re do the right click open with browse Select OK stuff, the stub will be replaced by the Microsoft help – It is the Registry entry in HKEY_CURRENT_USER ….. which is responsible for the Stub unhelpful help window

A YellowToBlueToYellow ( Vista Acer )
With operating systems from Vista, the icon seen in Explorer or on the Desktop seems to change sometimes from Blue to yellow.
Approximately , the working solution seems to be mostly associated with yellow, and Blue is often an indication of the no use stub thing. That is not a clear cut rule, its only approximate.
Here is an example of some experiments , starting from a small old ACER Vista pc
At the start of the experiments I had got the working solution to automatic opening of the help file. All is Yellow
http://i.imgur.com/GF4t1C8.jpg , http://i.imgur.com/2YYMV0a.jpg
But note in the last screenshot , I have no option other than the “Stub”
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp http://i.imgur.com/JeAsGK5.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/1GkiHWH.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/sh5yVJQ.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\UserChoice http://i.imgur.com/Yx7ZJ0m.jpg

To go Blue , one simply needs to click on the (yellow) stub above, after a right click open with: After the OK , the computer blinks a bit, and the Icon in the explorer window, or , if on desktop, turns blue.
We then have the help that’s no help situation on double clicking, http://i.imgur.com/uOCwS3C.jpg , and the registry entries have changed.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp http://i.imgur.com/jSoyJbB.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/NOaDyah.jpg HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/l6QSAZj.jpg

unassoc.exe has first option greyed out http://i.imgur.com/vRth42e.jpg
I go back to yellow after I hit the OK via the usual right click open with browse select OK stuff. Then the double click works. I notice that I do have a second entry, this time at the bottom, although in the past I don’t always see that. Note: In fact it went away later
http://i.imgur.com/9eni0Gn.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/w9QmlE0.jpg
The registry entries have changed.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp http://i.imgur.com/wGAXvdT.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/pa8lQO3.jpg HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/hg1nOLc.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\UserChoice http://i.imgur.com/DpCPqSn.jpg
unassoc.exe now has the first option showing http://i.imgur.com/TdkDLTw.jpg


Windows 7
Initially the situation appeared to be similar to that last situation 2 Vista: Right clicking on the file gets me an open with option, and that suggest some program is assigned to it.
Double clicking on a .hlp file brings up a window telling you that the hlp stuff is out of date and unsupported
At this point it differs from the Vista situation, in that after doing, (from that right click , open with) the browsing, selecting, OK stuff, we find the situation has not changed and we have the same situation as at the beginning.
_... I followed the first part of this How to delete a file association in Windows 7 ***
After this, I got as they suggested at that link, on a right click on a help file, a new window
I then find that the working solution is to do something via the Control panel, similar to the very first situation 1 Vista
http://i.imgur.com/cD7mrtT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oJ0in2l.jpg
I finally end up with these ( new ) registry entries
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hpl http://i.imgur.com/wz8jVsr.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/ulLwM3T.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/INpVZNE.jpg


Virgin (X110) (Win 7)
Initially there was just the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hpl with ab (Standard) REG_SZ hlpfile
I ran unassoc.exe and that was gone as well!
I downloaded the .hlp file , which had a blank icon, and no open with option on the right click. On the double click the new window appeared.
I downloaded winhlp32.exe , restarted the computer and the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList appeared. Still no right click option.
So I browse from the New Window on double click. ( At the start is no Recommended Programs at the top, but the stub is found at C:\Windows\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-winhstb_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_28dc6 47c6aba6742 , BTW as per https://www.pconlife.com/fileinfo/winhlp32.exe-info/ http://i.imgur.com/VcdNXwp.jpg )
https://i.imgur.com/rFsKTN8.jpg
Here is then the situation, initially seeing a yellow ? on the icon, [url=http://i.imgur.com/J7debqu .jpg[/url] double clicking working, and the initial Other Programs entry soon changes to a Recommended programs entry
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp http://i.imgur.com/dUSpyAs.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/S9mhR61.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/akvM638.jpg

[DocAElstein]

Some expanded notes related to this Thread Post https://eileenslounge.com/viewtopic....644906#p281746

Command	Description
Remove file association (User)	Removes the user-specific association (via the Open With dialog) for the chosen file type. Note that this button will remain dimmed if there is no user-specific association for the file type.
Delete file type	Deletes the file type completely from the registry. Both the user-specific and global associations for the chosen file type is removed.
Refresh list	Refreshes the list box contents.

*** Using unassoc.exe https://eileenslounge.com/viewtopic....281746#p281746 , https://app.box.com/s/e7dd2hopzyinrrb2fdkk72scikw4rr6n
https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/u...ndows-7-vista/
An alternative for disassociating …
Vista: I examined the two entries, HKEY_CURRENT_USER ….. and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT , in the registry before and then after below.
Using the software , unassoc.exe , I only had the the second delete option : http://i.imgur.com/mEB7aLo.jpg , http://i.imgur.com/QkXP0Ip.jpg , http://i.imgur.com/jJWVIXP.jpg
The .hlp no longer appears in the list after taking that delete option
The software seemsed to take off the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp only: Even after a computer restart, the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp is still there
After following the usual way to re associate, the .hlp reappears in the list, but the removed entry does not re appear for HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT … so I have no HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Here is the after for the other
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/1npC9iP.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/Y4uRKQi.jpg
Initially I seemed to have success.
The icon was blue suddenly. Double clicking stopped working and instead resorted back to the help that’s no help window.
After following the usual way to re associate, the icon turned yellow, the automatic opening worked, and an entry re appeared at
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT http://i.imgur.com/nJzZYn7.jpg


Windows 7: The two entries appeared to be the same as in Vista
On running the software, I appear to have both options available. http://i.imgur.com/UUjBg8L.jpg
So I tried the first option first http://i.imgur.com/wiFxg7M.jpg , after which the first option became greyed out, http://i.imgur.com/fJGSmfN.jpg
The .hlp still appears in the list , and both entries are still in the registry, and the right click-Open With-Browse-Select/Open- my downloaded winhlp.exe association thing does not result in a successful opening of the .hlp file on double clicking on it. ( Note: the right click-Open With-Browse-Select/Open- my downloaded winhlp.exe association thing brings back the first option
Taking the second option, http://i.imgur.com/IO2MxTj.jpg , http://i.imgur.com/msWhKn5.jpg , removes the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp only and removes the .hlp in the unassoc.exe list.
After this we lose the blue question mark icon, and have no rightclick OpenWith option, and on double clicking on the, now plain, icon, we get the new window. http://i.imgur.com/ZnFx1xx.jpg
Following the browsing from this new window appears to have no effect, other than strangely bringing back the blue question mark icon and the right click OpenWith option
The newly re available route of right click-Open With-Browse-Select/Open- my downloaded winhlp.exe association appears to have no effect.
At this point the situation is that in the Registry we have nothing in no HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and no entry for .hlp in the unassoc.exe list.
Strangely we have now three entries in HKEY_CURRENT_USER …..
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/AxiJxxE.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/efTpjNQ.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\UserChoice http://i.imgur.com/C5p0aKn.jpg

So I now delete the registry HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp … , which effectively leaves me with now no Registry entry.
Initially the .hlp file icon is blue , we have no OpenWith option and a double click leads to the new window. On a Computer restart , the blue question mark icon is replaced by no icon. unassoc.exe list has no .hlp and a single entry has appeared in the registry
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/Jz8zPFi.jpg
After double clicking I get the new window, and taking that route to make a new association , it takes some time before I get the window from which to browse. http://i.imgur.com/0GPeTGc.jpg
After this, all is OK, and note that the icon is yellow. http://i.imgur.com/W4TUt61.jpg
Here are the final Registries
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT http://i.imgur.com/O3lKV4b.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/jVacdaq.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/hwpbLdq.jpg
( a .gid File also appeared )
unassoc.exe has a .hlp , the first option is greyed out, and after trying the second option, the yellow ? on the icon disappeared., we are back to the new window only after double click option… etc…
In the registry I have these
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/A0Y7cbY.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/I3D3XEP.jpg
I repeat the new window associate route, finally all is yellow ? well and Registry entries again
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT http://i.imgur.com/JS1AjEJ.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/FjEcyC1.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/jnxXxd0.jpg

Re try Win7 unassoc.exe exp ( X110 Win 7)
I am starting at a working after right click brose situation, with first option greyed out
Recommended programs entry
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp http://i.imgur.com/dUSpyAs.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/S9mhR61.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/akvM638.jpg
I run unassoc.exe , and immediately after taking the second option, the yellow ? on the icon vanishes. The HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp folder is gone. The two HKEY_CURRENT_USER \Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explore r\FileExts\ .hlp folder entries have not changed
I do the right click browse from double click new window to my downloaded desktop winhlp32.exe
I have the yellow ? on the desktop icon, and unassoc.exe shows first option!!
The HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp folder entry is back, and I have an extra HKEY_CURRENT_USER \Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explore r\FileExts\ .hlp folder entry , and the right click gives me recommended program ? MicrosoftR Help

[DocAElstein]

Some misc rough notes in support of the last few Posts..




Drucky 20thMarch (Vista)

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT http://i.imgur.com/LCmH12Q.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/0QP15Z3.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/rO8dxOs.jpg

unassoc.exe has first option greyed out


Klaus lapTop 20thMarch (Vista)
]
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT http://i.imgur.com/A6TZEvU.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/E6FLTpk.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/Ho9s4XH.jpg

unassoc.exe has first option greyed out


KB 20thMarch (Vista)
http://i.imgur.com/pJpGvUv.jpg
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT http://i.imgur.com/itdpSVx.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/NKuq1YS.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/Fhb3XfI.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\UserChoice http://i.imgur.com/qOVdnMq.jpg

untypically unassoc.exe software has all options available http://i.imgur.com/HSaIsTs.jpg



ACER 22th March (Vista) (After YellowToBlueToYellow, no use of unassoc.exe

Note: there are no other entries : http://i.imgur.com/wdeSTls.jpg

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp http://i.imgur.com/wGAXvdT.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/pa8lQO3.jpg HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/hg1nOLc.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\UserChoice http://i.imgur.com/DpCPqSn.jpg
unassoc.exe now has the first option showing http://i.imgur.com/TdkDLTw.jpg















HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT http://i.imgur.com/O3lKV4b.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/jVacdaq.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/hwpbLdq.jpg

























HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT http://i.imgur.com/O3lKV4b.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/jVacdaq.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/hwpbLdq.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\UserChoice















http://i.imgur.com/cD7mrtT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oJ0in2l.jpg
I finally end up with these ( new ) registry entries
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hpl http://i.imgur.com/wz8jVsr.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/ulLwM3T.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/INpVZNE.jpg



*** Using unassoc.exe https://eileenslounge.com/viewtopic....281746#p281746 , https://app.box.com/s/e7dd2hopzyinrrb2fdkk72scikw4rr6n
https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/u...ndows-7-vista/
An alternative for disassociating …
Vista: I examined the two entries, HKEY_CURRENT_USER ….. and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT , in the registry before and then after below.
Using the software , unassoc.exe , I only had the the second delete option : http://i.imgur.com/mEB7aLo.jpg , http://i.imgur.com/QkXP0Ip.jpg , http://i.imgur.com/jJWVIXP.jpg
The .hlp no longer appears in the list after taking that delete option
The software seemsed to take off the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp only: Even after a computer restart, the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp is still there
After following the usual way to re associate, the .hlp reappears in the list, but the removed entry does not re appear for HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT … so I have no HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Here is the after for the other
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/1npC9iP.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/Y4uRKQi.jpg
Initially I seemed to have success.
The icon was blue suddenly. Double clicking stopped working and instead resorted back to the help that’s no help window.
After following the usual way to re associate, the icon turned yellow, the automatic opening worked, and an entry re appeared at
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT http://i.imgur.com/nJzZYn7.jpg


Windows 7: The two entries appeared to be the same as in Vista
On running the software, I appear to have both options available. http://i.imgur.com/UUjBg8L.jpg
So I tried the first option first http://i.imgur.com/wiFxg7M.jpg , after which the first option became greyed out, http://i.imgur.com/fJGSmfN.jpg
The .hlp still appears in the list , and both entries are still in the registry, and the right click-Open With-Browse-Select/Open- my downloaded winhlp.exe association thing does not result in a successful opening of the .hlp file on double clicking on it. ( Note: the right click-Open With-Browse-Select/Open- my downloaded winhlp.exe association thing brings back the first option
Taking the second option, http://i.imgur.com/IO2MxTj.jpg , http://i.imgur.com/msWhKn5.jpg , removes the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp only and removes the .hlp in the unassoc.exe list.
After this we lose the blue question mark icon, and have no rightclick OpenWith option, and on double clicking on the, now plain, icon, we get the new window. http://i.imgur.com/ZnFx1xx.jpg
Following the browsing from this new window appears to have no effect, other than strangely bringing back the blue question mark icon and the right click OpenWith option
The newly re available route of right click-Open With-Browse-Select/Open- my downloaded winhlp.exe association appears to have no effect.
At this point the situation is that in the Registry we have nothing in no HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and no entry for .hlp in the unassoc.exe list.
Strangely we have now three entries in HKEY_CURRENT_USER …..
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/AxiJxxE.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/efTpjNQ.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\UserChoice http://i.imgur.com/C5p0aKn.jpg

So I now delete the registry HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp … , which effectively leaves me with now no Registry entry.
Initially the .hlp file icon is blue , we have no OpenWith option and a double click leads to the new window. On a Computer restart , the blue question mark icon is replaced by no icon. unassoc.exe list has no .hlp and a single entry has appeared in the registry
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/Jz8zPFi.jpg
After double clicking I get the new window, and taking that route to make a new association , it takes some time before I get the window from which to browse. http://i.imgur.com/0GPeTGc.jpg
After this, all is OK, and note that the icon is yellow. http://i.imgur.com/W4TUt61.jpg
Here are the final Registries
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT http://i.imgur.com/O3lKV4b.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/jVacdaq.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/hwpbLdq.jpg
( a .gid File also appeared )
unassoc.exe has a .hlp , the first option is greyed out, and after trying the second option, the yellow ? on the icon disappeared., we are back to the new window only after double click option… etc…
In the registry I have these
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/A0Y7cbY.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/I3D3XEP.jpg
I repeat the new window associate route, finally all is yellow ? well and Registry entries again
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT http://i.imgur.com/JS1AjEJ.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/FjEcyC1.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/jnxXxd0.jpg

[DocAElstein]

Some expanded notes related to this Thread Post https://eileenslounge.com/viewtopic....569efb#p281642

…. Associating wonks…
We are looking for a solution to get the .hlp files to come up when double clicking on it
In particular here, we are investigating a suggested solution which involves doing once something of this form:
- Right-click a .hlp file.
- Select Open With... from the context menu.
- If you see winhlp32.exe, select it and tick the check box 'Always use this app to open .hlp files'. then click OK.
- If not, click 'More apps', then scroll down and select 'Look for another app on this PC'.
- Browse to C:\Windows\System32, locate and select winhlp32, then click OK.
In short: that works well. I had success with this. Sometimes some tweaking was necessary… The following are the notes from that.

Vista

I had a couple of different situations which required different actions to get the thing working
Situation 1 ( Vista )
On some Vista computers, double clicking on a .hlp does nothing.
Right clicking on a .hlp file gave me an error, which in English translates to something like
No program is assigned to the file to carry out this action. Create an assignment in the "Control Panel" under "Assignments".
I went looking where that error told me to look, but such a thing did not exist. By luck, on typing in the suggested thing in the explorer top right search bar, I saw something along the lines of Standard Program , which looked promising
After clicking around a bit I Got to a window similar to what you often get after a ---Right-click on a file ---- - Select Open With ---- action
I then did something which is my German equivalent of something like Look for another app on this PC'.
- Browse to C:\Windows\System32, locate and select winhlp32.exe , then click OK.. ( I don’t yet have my winhlp32.exe at a typical Windows system type place. So I navigated to where it was and did the German equivalent of select and OK on it. )
That seemed to do the job, - then after a double click on my .hlp file opened it up
( Note however, that whilst the double left click opens the help file, the right click followed by Open With still gives me the original error )


Situation 2 (Vista)
This is the more common situation.
Double clicking on a .hlp file brings up a window telling you that the hlp stuff is out of date and unsupported . ( You will find a lot of reports on the internet from people who see this window a lot. Often this process and/or the associated file is somehow referred to with the word “Stub”** ).
Right clicking on the .hlp file and selecting Open With shows you that some program is assigned. -** A general concept similar to this may be referred to as a “help stub” , a sort of Microsoft support but without any support at all. All of the downloads suggested there, or at other Internet sites , either aren’t available anymore, or don’t work.
If you simply ignore the suggested “stub” file association , then browse to find the winhlp32.exe where ever you have it, then select it and then OK.
1_RightClickOpüenWith 2_Browse 3_Select 4_Open(Select) 5_OK
That seemed to do the job, - there after, a double click on my .hlp file opened it up


A last Note on Vista
I don’t have an infinite number of Vista machines, and based on some googling I expect sometimes a solution like I needed in my Windows 7 machines might be needed: Start using keys MicrosoftSymbol+r or some similar route via the start menu ( bottom left Microsoft Symbol ). …_
Microsoft Symbol Run.JPG , GetIntoVistaRegisterEditor.JPG : http://i.imgur.com/VwprMgF.jpg ; http://i.imgur.com/ai1s0JN.jpg
_.. etc.. as in next section Windows 7 for how to to delete a file association …
Even if the dissociation is not necessary , it does Appear to tidy things up a bit. The disassociation clears away the Stub, and if you then re do the right click open with browse Select OK stuff, the stub will be replaced by the Microsoft help – It is the Registry entry in HKEY_CURRENT_USER ….. which is responsible for the Stub unhelpful help window

Windows 7
Initially the situation appeared to be similar to that last situation 2 Vista: Right clicking on the file gets me an open with option, and that suggest some program is assigned to it.
Double clicking on a .hlp file brings up a window telling you that the hlp stuff is out of date and unsupported
At this point it differs from the Vista situation, in that after doing, (from that right click , open with) the browsing, selecting, OK stuff, we find the situation has not changed and we have the same situation as at the beginning.
_... I followed the first part of this How to delete a file association in Windows 7 ***
After this, I got as they suggested at that link, on a right click on a help file, a new window
I then find that the working solution is to do something via the Control panel, similar to the very first situation 1 Vista
http://i.imgur.com/cD7mrtT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oJ0in2l.jpg
I finally end up with these ( new ) registry entries
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hpl http://i.imgur.com/wz8jVsr.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/ulLwM3T.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/INpVZNE.jpg



*** Using unassoc.exe https://eileenslounge.com/viewtopic....281746#p281746 , https://app.box.com/s/e7dd2hopzyinrrb2fdkk72scikw4rr6n
https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/u...ndows-7-vista/
An alternative for disassociating …
Vista: I examined the two entries, HKEY_CURRENT_USER ….. and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT , in the registry before and then after below.
Using the software , unassoc.exe , I only had the the second delete option : http://i.imgur.com/mEB7aLo.jpg , http://i.imgur.com/QkXP0Ip.jpg , http://i.imgur.com/jJWVIXP.jpg
The .hlp no longer appears in the list after taking that delete option
The software seemsed to take off the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp only: Even after a computer restart, the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp is still there
After following the usual way to re associate, the .hlp reappears in the list, but the removed entry does not re appear for HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT … so I have no HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Here is the after for the other
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/1npC9iP.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/Y4uRKQi.jpg
Initially I seemed to have success.
The icon was blue suddenly. Double clicking stopped working and instead resorted back to the help that’s no help window.
After following the usual way to re associate, the icon turned yellow, the automatic opening worked, and an entry re appeared at
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT http://i.imgur.com/nJzZYn7.jpg


Windows 7: The two entries appeared to be the same as in Vista
On running the software, I appear to have both options available. http://i.imgur.com/UUjBg8L.jpg
So I tried the first option first http://i.imgur.com/wiFxg7M.jpg , after which the first option became greyed out, http://i.imgur.com/fJGSmfN.jpg
The .hlp still appears in the list , and both entries are still in the registry, and the right click-Open With-Browse-Select/Open- my downloaded winhlp.exe association thing does not result in a successful opening of the .hlp file on double clicking on it. ( Note: the right click-Open With-Browse-Select/Open- my downloaded winhlp.exe association thing brings back the first option
Taking the second option, http://i.imgur.com/IO2MxTj.jpg , http://i.imgur.com/msWhKn5.jpg , removes the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hlp only and removes the .hlp in the unassoc.exe list.
After this we lose the blue question mark icon, and have no rightclick OpenWith option, and on double clicking on the, now plain, icon, we get the new window. http://i.imgur.com/ZnFx1xx.jpg
Following the browsing from this new window appears to have no effect, other than strangely bringing back the blue question mark icon and the right click OpenWith option
The newly re available route of right click-Open With-Browse-Select/Open- my downloaded winhlp.exe association appears to have no effect.
At this point the situation is that in the Registry we have nothing in no HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and no entry for .hlp in the unassoc.exe list.
Strangely we have now three entries in HKEY_CURRENT_USER …..
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/AxiJxxE.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/efTpjNQ.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\UserChoice http://i.imgur.com/C5p0aKn.jpg

So I now delete the registry HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp … , which effectively leaves me with now no Registry entry.
Initially the .hlp file icon is blue , we have no OpenWith option and a double click leads to the new window. On a Computer restart , the blue question mark icon is replaced by no icon. unassoc.exe list has no .hlp and a single entry has appeared in the registry
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/Jz8zPFi.jpg
After double clicking I get the new window, and taking that route to make a new association , it takes some time before I get the window from which to browse. http://i.imgur.com/0GPeTGc.jpg
After this, all is OK, and note that the icon is yellow. http://i.imgur.com/W4TUt61.jpg
Here are the final Registries
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT http://i.imgur.com/O3lKV4b.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/jVacdaq.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/hwpbLdq.jpg
( a .gid File also appeared )
unassoc.exe has a .hlp , the first option is greyed out, and after trying the second option, the yellow ? on the icon disappeared., we are back to the new window only after double click option… etc…
In the registry I have these
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/A0Y7cbY.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/I3D3XEP.jpg
I repeat the new window associate route, finally all is yellow ? well and Registry entries again
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT http://i.imgur.com/JS1AjEJ.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithList http://i.imgur.com/FjEcyC1.jpg
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.hlp\OpenWithProgids http://i.imgur.com/jnxXxd0.jpg