KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q159340: Err Msg: This File Is Not a Windows Help File

Article: Q159340
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): 3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11; WINDOWS:3.1,3.11,95
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): win31 win95
Last Modified: 19-DEC-2000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11 
- Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11 
- Microsoft Windows 95 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you attempt to open a Help (.hlp) file located on the Microsoft Windows 95
CD-ROM using Microsoft Windows or Windows for Workgroups version 3.x, the
following error message is displayed:

  This file is not a Windows Help file.

When you click OK, you receive the following error message:

  A newer version of Help is needed to view this Help file.

CAUSE
=====

Due to formatting changes made in Windows 95 Help files, the Windows or Windows
for Workgroups 3.x version of Winhelp.exe is unable to open Windows 95 Help
files. This includes the uncompressed Help files located on the Windows 95
CD-ROM.

RESOLUTION
==========

Upgrade your version of Windows to Windows 95.

MORE INFORMATION
================

When you upgrade Windows or Windows for Workgroups 3.x to Windows 95, the old
version of Winhelp.exe is replaced with new versions of Winhelp.exe and
Winhelp32.exe. These versions can open the uncompressed Help files located on
the Windows 95 CD-ROM, and allow for backwards compatibility in that they are
also able to open Windows or Windows for Workgroups 3.x Help files.

Additional query words: 3.00 3.00a 3.10 3.11 hlp

======================================================================
Keywords          : win31 win95 
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbWin95search kbWFWSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311 kbWFW310 kbWFW311
Version           : :3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11; WINDOWS:3.1,3.11,95

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.