PRB: HTML Help: Shortcuts Do Not Work When Help File Is Opened Through a UNC Path (276513)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft HTML Help 1.31
  • Microsoft HTML Help 1.32
This article was previously published under Q276513

SYMPTOMS

When a user or a program opens an HTML Help file by using a Universal Naming Code (UNC) path, all shortcuts in the Help file do not work.

CAUSE

The HTML Help shortcut feature was changed for security reasons starting with version 1.31. This change prevents shortcuts from working when the help file is accessed through a UNC path.

This change only affects shortcuts, and only when the shortcut is in a help file that is accessed through a UNC path. Users who access HTML help files through a mapped drive are not affected. Shortcuts in help files that are accessed through UNCs will not work correctly, and no error message is displayed unless an HTML file is specified for the Window parameter of the shortcut object. In this case, the specified HTML file is displayed.

RESOLUTION

Open the HTML help files through a mapped drive.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

A UNC is a network share that is accessible by name. For example, if a user or program opens Alpha\Public\Myhelp.chm, then any shortcuts in Myhelp.chm will not open. If drive G, for example, is mapped to Alpha\public, then shortcuts in G:\Myhelp.chm work correctly.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/11/2000
Keywords:kbDSupport kbprb KB276513
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