Help and Support Center

Help and Support Center is an application for getting online/offline help about Windows basics and tutorials about certain functionalities, applications and services included with Windows.
== History ==
In Windows, the Help application debuted as Windows Help (WinHelp.exe) in Windows 3.0. A 32-bit variant (winhlp32.exe) shipped with Windows NT 3.1 up to Windows NT 4.0 and was also ported to Windows 95. WinHelp was enhanced with HTML capability in Windows 98 and was consequently renamed HTML Help (hh.exe). It's successor, the Help and Support Center (HelpCtr.exe) debuted in Windows Me build 2358 under the name Help Center as part of the Activity Centers, while the old Help application was kept for compatibility purposes. All help applications include tutorials to help the user get started with using the computer. The app would receive an overhaul in Windows Vista (HelpPane.exe) and be discontinued with Windows 10's release, with it's executable being reworked to open the Microsoft Support website. However, the way this is implemented still causes a Help and Support window to open, albeit invisible and with the navigation controls being hidden as well. With the use of third-party tools, such as WinExplorer or Window Detective, one can reveal the window itself as well as the missing controls, and then click on the help type, and choose a help type from the drop-down menu to get the browser control to load content. Up until Windows 10 version 1703, the help content was included, however, in Windows 10 version 1709, it was removed, along with the online help functionality getting broken, causing every page apart from search to say that the topic could not be found.
=== Location ===
In Windows 3.0 and Windows 3.1, it is located in the Help menu of Program Manager.
In Windows 95 to Windows 7, it is located in the start menu.
In Windows 8 and 8.1, the user can find it by using Search by typing Help and Support or by navigating to the all apps section of the start screen and clicking on "Windows Help & Support".
In Windows Vista to Windows 11 (with the new command bar disabled), open up an Explorer window and click on the question mark symbol.
The user can press F1 in most cases, but sometimes it takes the user to the application's help itself.
=== Index ===
All versions of Help and Support Center have a search index in which the user can use to find a topic they are looking for.
== Gallery ==
=== WinHelp / HTML Help ===
Windows31-Help.png|WinHelp in Windows 3.1x
CitrixWinFrame-1.80.403-WinHelp.png|WinHelp in Citrix WinFrame
WindowsNT40-Help.png|WinHelp in Windows NT 4.0
Windows98SE-HTMLhelp.png|HTML Help in Windows 98 Second Edition
WinHelp 2KHome.png|HTML Help in Windows 2000 Professional
Windows2000AdvancedServer-Help.png|HTML Help in Windows 2000 Advanced Server
WindowsXP-HTMLHelp.png|HTML Help in Windows XP
HTMLHelp 20H2.png|HTML Help in Windows 10 October 2020 Update
=== Windows Me ===
WinHelpSupport MeFirstRun.png|First run
WinHelpSupport MeHome.png|Home page
WinHelpSupport MeIndex.png|Index
WinHelpSupport MeDemo.png|"What's new in Windows Me" article
WinHelpSupport MeAssistedSupport.png|Assisted Support
WinHelpSupport MeToursTutorials.png|"Tours & Tutorials" section
=== Windows XP ===
WinHelpSupport XPHome.png|Home page
HelpSupport XPHomeClassic.png|Home page (Windows Classic)
HelpSupport-XPStarter.png|Home page (Starter Edition)
HelpSupport-Embedded2009.png|Home page (Embedded 2009)
HelpSupport XPMCE2K5.png|Home page (Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005)
WinHelpSupport XPDemo.png|"What's new in Windows XP" article
WinHelpSupport XPOptions.png|"Options" menu
WinHelpSupport XPSupport.png|"Support" menu
=== Windows Server 2003 ===
HelpSupport-Server2K3.png|Home page
HelpSupport-Server2K3LunaHome.png|Home page (Luna)
HelpSupport-Server2K3Demo.png|"Getting Started" article
HelpSupport-Server2K3CompactDemo.png|"Getting Started" article (Compact View)
HelpSupport-Server2K3Support.png|Welcome to Support
HelpSupport-Server2K3Options.png|Options
=== Windows Vista ===
WinHelpSupport VistaHome.png|Home page
WinHelpSupport VistaDemo.png|"What's new in Windows Vista Ultimate" article
WinHelp Support VistaAsk.png|"Ask for help online" section
WinHelpSupport VistaSettings.png|Help Settings
=== Windows Server 2008 ===
HelpSupport-Server2K8HomeClassic.png|Home page
HelpSupport-Server2K8HomeAero.png|Home page (Windows Aero)
HelpSupport-Server2K8Demo.png|"Web Server Overview" article
HelpSupport-Server2K8Ask.png|"Getting Additional Windows Server Support" section
=== Windows 7 ===
WinHelpSupport 7Home.png|Home page
WinHelpSupport 7Demo.png|"What's new in Windows 7" article
WinHelpSupport 7Ask.png|"More support options" section
WinHelpSupport 7Settings.png|Help Settings
=== Windows Server 2008 R2 ===
HelpSupport-Server2K8R2HomeClassic.png|Home page
HelpSupport-Server2K8R2HomeAero.png|Home page (Windows Aero)
HelpSupport-Server2K8R2Demo.png|"Web Server Overview" article
HelpSupport-Server2K8R2Ask.png|"Getting Additional Windows Server Support" section
=== Windows 8 ===
WinHelpSupport 8Home.png.png|Home page
WinHelpSupport 8Demo.png|"Get to know Windows" article
WinHelpSupport 8ContactSupport.png|"Contact Support" section
=== Windows Server 2012 ===
HelpSupport-Server2012Home.png|Home page
=== Windows 8.1 ===
WinHelpSupport 8.1Offline.png|Home page
=== Windows Server 2012 R2 ===
HelpSupport-Server2K12R2Home.png|Home page
HelpSupport-Server2K12R2Browse.png|Browse Help
HelpSupport-Server2K12R2Contact.png|Contact Support
=== Miscellaneous ===
File:WindowsME-4.9.2358-Help.png|Help Center in Windows Me build 2358
File:Windows-Neptune-5.50.5111.1-HelpAndSupport.png|Help and Support Center in Windows Neptune build 5111
File:4074helppane1.png|An early version of HelpPane.exe in Windows Longhorn build 4074.
File:4074helppane3.png|Another concept of Windows Help (hlplgvwr.exe) in the same build.
File:LH5048-HelpPane.png|Help in Windows Vista build 5048
File:5231 HelpAndSupport.png|Help in Windows Vista build 5231 (winmain)
File:7850-Help.png|Help in Windows 8 build 7850
File:WindowsServer2012-6.2.7963.winmain.110310-1721-WinHelpAndSupport.png|Help in Windows Server 2012 build 7963
File:Win10-1507-HelpandSupport.png|Help in Windows 10 build 10240 (th1)
Category:Introduced in Windows 3.0
Category:Windows components