WinHlp32.exe programmatic macros (ExecFile, RegisterRoutine, ShellExecute, ShortCut, Generate, Test, and ExecProgram) are necessary in order to display some .hlp files. These features might, however, make your system vulnerable to security threats.
Two group policies -- a local machine group policy and a current user group policy -- are provided for controlling this feature. You can also use a user registry setting to manage this feature. Precedence is given in this order: local machine group policy, current user group policy, and last to the user registry setting. If neither policy has been set and the user registry setting has not been set, the programmatic macros will be turned off.
If this policy has precedence and is turned off, the .hlp files that depend on programmatic macros will not display correctly.
If this policy has precedence and is turned on, programmatic macros will be allowed and all .hlp files will be correctly displayed.
| Registry Hive | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE |
| Registry Path | Software\Policies\Microsoft\Winhelp |
| Value Name | AllowProgrammaticMacrosInWinhelp |
| Value Type | REG_DWORD |
| Enabled Value | 1 |
| Disabled Value | 0 |