How to Download Winhelp.exe and Fix EXE Error Messages

Last Updated: 11/25/2023
[Time to Read Article: 5 minutes]

winhelp.exe, also known as a Windows Executable file, was created by Microsoft for the development of Windows 10. EXE files fall under under the Win16 EXE (Windows Executable) file type category.

winhelp.exe was first developed on 10/25/2001 in the Windows XP Operating System for Windows XP. The latest file update released for Windows 10 was on 07/29/2015 [file version 10]. winhelp.exe is included in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 8.

This article discusses complete file details, EXE file troubleshooting instructions for problems with winhelp.exe, and a comprehensive set of free downloads for every file version that has been catalogued by our team.

File Analysis Provided by Jason Geater (Author)


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File Overview


General Information
File Name: winhelp.exe
File Extension: EXE file extension
File Type: Executable Application
Description: Windows Executable
MIME Type: application/octet-stream
User Popularity Rating:
 
Developer and Software Information
Software Program: Windows 10
Developer: Microsoft
Software: Windows
Software Version: 10
File Details
File Size (Bytes): 8960
Oldest File Date: 04/14/2008
Latest File Date: 03/18/2017


What are winhelp.exe Error Messages?


winhelp.exe Runtime Errors

Runtime errors are Windows errors that occur during "runtime". Runtime is pretty self-explanatory; it means that these EXE errors are triggered when winhelp.exe is attempted to be loaded either when Windows is starting up, or in some cases already running. Runtime errors are the most common form of EXE error you will encounter using Windows.

In most cases, winhelp.exe runtime errors occurring while the program is running will result in the program terminating abnormally. Most of these winhelp.exe error messages mean that Windows was either unable to locate this file on startup, or the file is corrupt, resulting in a prematurely-aborted startup process. Generally, Windows will be unable to start without resolving these errors.

Some of the most common winhelp.exe errors include:

  • winhelp.exe - Bad Image.
  • winhelp.exe Application Error.
  • winhelp.exe could not be found.
  • winhelp.exe could not be installed.
  • winhelp.exe could not be launched. Class not registered.
  • winhelp.exe could not be started.
  • winhelp.exe failed to initialize properly.
  • winhelp.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
  • winhelp.exe is not a valid Win32 application.
  • winhelp.exe is not running.
  • Cannot find winhelp.exe.
  • Error starting program: winhelp.exe.
  • Faulting Application Path: winhelp.exe.
  • The file winhelp.exe is missing or corrupt.
  • Windows failed to start - winhelp.exe.
System Error


The program can’t start because winhelp.exe is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.

Finding the source of the winhelp.exe error is key to properly resolving these errors. Although most of these EXE errors affecting winhelp.exe will happen during startup, occasionally you will encounter a runtime error while using Windows 10. This can occur due to poor programming on behalf of Microsoft, conflicts with other software or 3rd-party plug-ins, or caused by damaged and outdated hardware. Also, these types of winhelp.exe errors can occur if it has been accidentally moved, deleted, or corrupted by a malware infection. Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.



How to Fix winhelp.exe Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your winhelp.exe issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.


Step 1: Restore your PC back to the latest restore point, "snapshot", or backup image before error occurred.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the search results, find and click System Restore.
  4. Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
  5. Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
  6. Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the winhelp.exe error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

Step 2: Run SFC (System File Checker) to restore the corrupt or missing winhelp.exe file.

System File Checker is a utility included with every Windows version that allows you scan and restore corrupted system files. Use the SFC tool to fix missing or corrupt winhelp.exe files (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "cmd" but DO NOT PRESS "ENTER".
  3. Press and hold "CTRL-Shift" on your keyboard while pressing "ENTER".
  4. You'll be prompted with a permission dialog box.
  5. In the box, click "YES".
  6. You should have a black screen with a blinking cursor.
  7. In that black screen, type "sfc /scannow" and hit "ENTER".
  8. SFC will begin scanning for winhelp.exe issues and any other system file problems.
  9. Follow any on-screen commands to complete the process.

Please be aware that this scan might take a while, so please be patient while it is working.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

sfc /scannow

Step 3: Perform a Windows Update.

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many winhelp.exe error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
  4. If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
  5. After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the winhelp.exe error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.



If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your winhelp.exe File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate winhelp.exe file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free winhelp.exe files for every applicable version of Windows. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

  1. Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download winhelp.exe Files".
  2. Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
  3. Copy the file into the appropriate directory for your Windows version:

  4. Windows XP: C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache\
    Windows XP: C:\Windows\
    Windows 8: C:\Windows\
    Windows 8.1: C:\Windows\
    Windows 10: C:\Windows\
  5. Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows 10.


GEEK TIP : We must emphasize that reinstalling Windows will be a very time-consuming and advanced task to resolve winhelp.exe problems. To avoid data loss, you must be sure that you have backed-up all of your important documents, pictures, software installers, and other personal data before beginning the process. If you are not currently backing up your data, you need to do so immediately.



Download winhelp.exe Files (Malware-Tested 100% Clean)


CAUTION : We strongly advise against downloading and copying winhelp.exe to your appropriate Windows system directory. Microsoft typically does not release Windows EXE files for download because they are bundled together inside of a software installer. The installer's task is to ensure that all correct verifications have been made before installing and placing winhelp.exe and all other EXE files for Windows. An incorrectly installed EXE file may create system instability and could cause your program or operating system to stop functioning altogether. Proceed with caution.

Windows 10
Windows XP
Windows 8.1
Windows 8


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EXE Files Related to winhelp.exe

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bootok.exe Boot Acceptance Application for Registry Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (5.1.2600.0) 4608 C:\Windows\System32\winevt\Logs\
scrcons.exe WMI Standard Event Consumer - scripting Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (6.3.9600.17415) 43520 C:\Windows\inf\
convert.exe File System Conversion Utility Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (10.0.15063.0) 19456 C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\...
WinMgmt.exe Windows Executable Windows 7 78336 C:\Windows\inf\
memtest.exe Memory Diagnostic Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (6.3.9600.17109) 1192280 C:\Windows\Fonts\

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File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
OneX_v1.xsd XML Schema Definition Windows 8 5957 C:\Windows\L2Schemas\
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WLANAP_profile_v1.xsd XML Schema Definition Windows 8 7504 C:\Windows\L2Schemas\
WLANAP_profile_v1.xsd XML Schema Definition Windows 10 7548 C:\Windows\L2Schemas\
WLAN_profile_v1.xsd XML Schema Definition Windows 8 15591 C:\Windows\L2Schemas\


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