Windows Err Msg: This is Not a Valid Help File (58258)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
This article was previously published under Q58258

SYMPTOMS

When you are attempting to receive help from a Windows application, such as Microsoft Excel, running under Microsoft Windows, one of the following error messages is displayed:
This is not a valid helpfile

-or-

This is not a Windows help file

CAUSE

These errors occur because your WIN.INI file [extensions] section contains the following entry: 
   [extensions]
   hlp=winhelp.exe ^.hlp
This entry allows help files to be opened in Windows Help by running them in File Manager. However, Windows applications that use a help module with the extension .HLP (such as EXCELHLP.HLP) do not function correctly with this entry present.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/7/2005
Keywords:KB58258
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