Decompiling a Help File

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Microsoft Corporation

Updated June 10, 1999

Decompiling a help file involves copying the files in a compiled help file to a directory that you specify while leaving the compiled help file intact. This procedure is useful for reconstructing individual HTML source files from a compiled help file. It is also useful when you want to use the source files contained in the compiled help file in a browser that does not support compiled help files.

To decompile a help file

1. On the File menu, click Decompile.
2. In the Destination folder box, enter the name of the folder where you want the decompiled files to be copied.
3. In the Compiled help file box, enter the name of the compiled help (.chm) file you want to decompile.

Note

• The decompile command is part of the HTML Help executable program (Hh.exe) and is therefore also a client-side command line switch that works when HTML Help Workshop is not set up. From a DOS prompt or from the Run command, type -decompile folder chm where -decompile is the switch, folder is the name of the destination folder where you want the decompiled files to be copied, and chm is the name of the compiled help file you want to decompile.