The Help file (F1), Vista and XP

[NickThissen]

Hey,

I don't know if this is the right forum, if not, please feel free to move it...


I am developing a program in VB6 and would like to include a Windows Help file, the same thing that most Windows program offer and usually pops up when you press F1.

Now, I haven't even begun creating the file yet, I have found some examples on the internet so that is not my question.

The problem is that I once read that Windows Vista now uses a different format for these Help files, and the old XP help files no longer work on Vista.
I have not found any more information about this however, I might be searching for the wrong terms?

If this is correct, would this be a serious problem? Does my application need to determine the OS first before opening either the XP help or the Vista help files? Or does Windows do this automatically?

Does anyone have any more info on these matters? Really appreciated!

[si_the_geek]

That is correct - the old .HLP format is long out of date (it was being phased out when VB6 was released!). There is a way of getting .Hlp files to work on Vista but is not recommended, partly because it requires installing extra software.

Instead you should be creating your help files in .CHM format (like VB 6's help), known as HTML Help. There is software to create HTML Help on the CD for VB, but it isn't installed automatically. You can also download a newer version from Microsofts website.