Hi
I want to delete and replace a file in my System32 Folders. I want to start doing some experiments in a few days with things like that…
I will start on some older less important XP machines, so as to minimise the damage should something go wrong.
I did already try simply locating the file and deleting it. It appeared to work, - it disappeared from the explorer list. …but
_a) although I could no longer see it, if I tried to replace it I got an error telling me it was already there
_b) on restarting the computer it came back in the explorer list
I googled a bit , and sure enough, it is apparently not straight forward to delete such files.
But it’s also not too difficult either, apparently
The method below is what I was thinking of trying next.
Apparently I need just to do these two commands
cd C:\Windows\System32\
del winhlp32.exe
I can either do those commands
_ in that big black cmd window thing, ( which I already know how to get up),
or
_ I can put those two lines in a text file, save that text file with a .bat extension, then double click on it
I am not in any rush to do this , so I thought I would leave it for a few days, and make this thread and see if anyone has any comments before I go ahead . I don’t need any urgent help. I will pick up this little experiment first in a few days time.
Just any comments would be welcome , such as how bad an idea you think it is, or any alternative ways you know of to do this
Thanks
Alan
_._________
P.S.
Out of interest this is why I am thinking of doing it
In this thread , https://eileenslounge.com/viewtopic.php ... 17#p281561 , the problem was Solved of a winhlp32.exe that will run on any computer and open my .hlp files
_ On all computers , all Operating systems it works like this:
Put that file , anywhere , double click on it, then you navigate to find the .hlp file you want, then away you go
_ Currently on just an XP machine I have another second way: I simply double click on the .hlp file, and it opens.
I am taking a guess that it works this way because it goes and finds that winhlp32.exe
So I would like to do some experiments with deleting and/ or pasting in that winhlp32.exe in places such as the system32 folder, or similar places where it is probably dangerous to do that sort of thing ...
This second way already works that way on my XP machine. But you know as the old saying goes …. If it aint broken , then Alan will probably brake it in his attempts to figure out what’s going on… “ – I figure out if I can brake and then repair it working on my XP machine then that might help me in my attempts to get this second way working on my other computers.
:)
Delete and Replace files in System32 Folders
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- BronzeLounger
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Delete and Replace files in System32 Folders
I am having difficulty logging in with this account just now.
You can find me at DocAElstein also
You can find me at DocAElstein also
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- Administrator
- Posts: 78596
- Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 00:14
- Status: Microsoft MVP
- Location: Wageningen, The Netherlands
Re: Delete and Replace files in System32 Folders
Make sure that you only use this for files that you added yourself. It is very dangerous to try and delete other files from the Windows\System32 folder; you may damage Windows itself!
Before doing this, I'd try to associate the .hlp extension with winhlp32.exe.
For example:
- Right-click a .hlp file.
- Select Open With... from the context menu.
- If you see winhlp32.exe, select it and tick the check box 'Always use this app to open .hlp files'. then click OK.
- If not, click 'More apps', then scroll down and select 'Look for another app on this PC'.
- Browse to C:\Windows\System32, locate and select winhlp32, then click OK.
Before doing this, I'd try to associate the .hlp extension with winhlp32.exe.
For example:
- Right-click a .hlp file.
- Select Open With... from the context menu.
- If you see winhlp32.exe, select it and tick the check box 'Always use this app to open .hlp files'. then click OK.
- If not, click 'More apps', then scroll down and select 'Look for another app on this PC'.
- Browse to C:\Windows\System32, locate and select winhlp32, then click OK.
Best wishes,
Hans
Hans
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- Panoramic Lounger
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Re: Delete and Replace files in System32 Folders
Also, consider searching the XP board on the MSFN fourm:
https://msfn.org/board/forum/34-windows-xp/
You might find help /advice there.
Ken
MSFN even has an active board for Win 9x stuff
https://msfn.org/board/forum/34-windows-xp/
You might find help /advice there.
Ken
MSFN even has an active board for Win 9x stuff
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- StarLounger
- Posts: 58
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Re: Delete and Replace files in System32 Folders
Also you can use this
for Win7 and VistaYou do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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- Administrator
- Posts: 78596
- Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 00:14
- Status: Microsoft MVP
- Location: Wageningen, The Netherlands
Re: Delete and Replace files in System32 Folders
Uh... unassoc.exe can be used to REMOVE a file association. How would that help to open .hlp files in winhlp32.exe automatically?
Best wishes,
Hans
Hans
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- BronzeLounger
- Posts: 1499
- Joined: 28 Feb 2015, 13:11
- Location: Hof, Bayern, Germany
Re: Delete and Replace files in System32 Folders
Hi Hans,
I might be able to answer that, but I am not sure yet…
Firstly, your basic idea, which I think is a sort of “associate” suggestion thing , looks like the better way for me to go on with this to open .hlp files in winhlp32.exe automatically.
I am still looking into this on some of my older and newer computers. Mostly it works, but sometimes the basic way you suggest has not worked, .. initially.
However if I remove the association to some “stub” thing, ( a stub thing is, I think, a sort of “Microsoft help that isn’t any help” thing), then so far that sorts the thing out. I am not sure yet. I want to check it out on a few newer computers and operating systems.
It gets a bit more complicated with the newer operating system since they are “supported”, getting updates , and so are therefore unstable, and a solution that worked today might not work tomorrow..
I will post back with a full summary in a day or so..
I think possibly you may need to disassociate sometimes, before you can successfully associate.. maybe ..
It is not consistent with different Operating systems, so it’s taking me a while to check it all out thoroughly..
I might be able to answer that, but I am not sure yet…
Firstly, your basic idea, which I think is a sort of “associate” suggestion thing , looks like the better way for me to go on with this to open .hlp files in winhlp32.exe automatically.
I am still looking into this on some of my older and newer computers. Mostly it works, but sometimes the basic way you suggest has not worked, .. initially.
However if I remove the association to some “stub” thing, ( a stub thing is, I think, a sort of “Microsoft help that isn’t any help” thing), then so far that sorts the thing out. I am not sure yet. I want to check it out on a few newer computers and operating systems.
It gets a bit more complicated with the newer operating system since they are “supported”, getting updates , and so are therefore unstable, and a solution that worked today might not work tomorrow..
I will post back with a full summary in a day or so..
I think possibly you may need to disassociate sometimes, before you can successfully associate.. maybe ..
It is not consistent with different Operating systems, so it’s taking me a while to check it all out thoroughly..
I am having difficulty logging in with this account just now.
You can find me at DocAElstein also
You can find me at DocAElstein also