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Help and Support From Start menu won't open

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Author: Soumitra Sengupta MVP
Community Solutions ContentCommunity Solutions Content Disclaimer
Article ID:555329
Last Review:June 12, 2005
Revision:1.0

SUMMARY

When you try to access Help and Support on the Startup menu, you receive "Windows cannot find 'helpctr.exe'.

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SYMPTOMS

When you try to access Help and Support on the Startup menu, you receive "Windows cannot find 'helpctr.exe'. Make sure you typed the name correctly and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start Button and then click Search."

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CAUSE

These behaviors are indicative of a missing or damaged registry entry.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem:-
Start>Run>type in: %systemroot%\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\HelpCtr.exe>Press Enter
 
Alternatively,
1.Open a CMD.EXE window.
2. Type the following command and press Enter.
REG ADD "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\HELPCTR.EXE" /VE /T REG_SZ /D "C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\HelpCtr.exe" /F
 
If the file is missing, then open %systemroot%\inf folder and locate the
PCHealth.inf file (might show as PCHealth in Windows Explorer). Right-click the
file and choose "Install". Insert the XP CD when prompted.

Note: The folder is hidden by default. Go to Start/Run and type in: control folders. View: Show hidden files and folders and uncheck Hide extensions for known file types.

 


 

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APPLIES TO
•Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1
•Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2

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Keywords: 
kbpubtypecca kbpubmvp kbhowto KB555329

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Community Solutions ContentCOMMUNITY SOLUTIONS CONTENT DISCLAIMER
MICROSOFT CORPORATION AND/OR ITS RESPECTIVE SUPPLIERS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE SUITABILITY, RELIABILITY, OR ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION AND RELATED GRAPHICS CONTAINED HEREIN. ALL SUCH INFORMATION AND RELATED GRAPHICS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT AND/OR ITS RESPECTIVE SUPPLIERS HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS WITH REGARD TO THIS INFORMATION AND RELATED GRAPHICS, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WORKMANLIKE EFFORT, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. YOU SPECIFICALLY AGREE THAT IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT AND/OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE INFORMATION AND RELATED GRAPHICS CONTAINED HEREIN, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF MICROSOFT OR ANY OF ITS SUPPLIERS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGES.

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