Replacing System Files in Vista

  • Thread starter Thread starter Clive Backham
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Clive Backham

Is there any way at all to replace one of the "system" files in
Vista's C:\Windows directory with an alternative? I'm specifically
interested in replacing the "dummy" WINHLP32.EXE with a copy from an
XP machine, so that legacy programs whose program help uses .HLP files
can keep working.

I've verified that the XP version of WINHLP32.EXE does work under
Vista, but can't find any way to overwrite the one in C:\Windows. I'm
logged in as an Administrator, and have tried disabling user access
control, but everything I try to do to alter that file is met with an
"access denied" error. Have tried editing the file's security to give
Administrators full access - "access denied". Have even booted in safe
mode with command prompt to try and run "attrib -S", and still get
"access denied".

Is there any solution to this problem?
 
Take ownership of the original Vista file through permissions (Right
Click/Properties/Security/Advanced) first, then edit the permissions. I did
this and it worked great with winhlp32.exe, but I tucked away a copy of
both--just in case.
 
Clive Backham said:
Is there any way at all to replace one of the "system" files in
Vista's C:\Windows directory with an alternative? I'm specifically
interested in replacing the "dummy" WINHLP32.EXE with a copy from an
XP machine, so that legacy programs whose program help uses .HLP files
can keep working.

I've verified that the XP version of WINHLP32.EXE does work under
Vista, but can't find any way to overwrite the one in C:\Windows. I'm
logged in as an Administrator, and have tried disabling user access
control, but everything I try to do to alter that file is met with an
"access denied" error. Have tried editing the file's security to give
Administrators full access - "access denied". Have even booted in safe
mode with command prompt to try and run "attrib -S", and still get
"access denied".

Is there any solution to this problem?
Click to expand...


http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article07-500

The official MS version should be out soon.

ss.
 
Solution:

All of the system areas including c:\documents and settings have the
Everybody Group with an Explicity Deny permission. This over-rides the full
control permission that the adminsitrator group has because he is also in
the everyone group. Just take Ownership as an admistrator and then remove
the Everyone Group and then you will have access.
 
Thanks to everyone who has replied so quickly. I'm pleased to find
that there's a straightforward solution.
 
And it works too -- I'm using winhlp32.exe under VISTA to handle the
HELP in this Off Line Reader I am using <g>

I renamed the stub file in VISTA but like you had a lot of trouble
working out how to do it <g>
 
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