Known GID Files

Leading GID Type

.GID

File ID:	.gid
File Type:	Windows Help Global Index File

GID file extension is a Microsoft WinHelp file, a help system used in Windows 95/98. GID is a proprietary format for online help files that can be displayed by the Microsoft Help browser winhelp.exe or winhlp32.exe.

Author:	Microsoft Corporation
Division:	System Files
Location:	HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.gid

Software Programs That Open The Windows Help Global Index File:

Microsoft Windows Help by Microsoft Corporation

Windows

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Troubleshooting Problems Opening GID Files

Common Problems Opening GID Files

Missing Microsoft Windows Help

You attempt to load your GID file and get an error such as "%%os%% Can't Open The GID File Extension". If this is the case, it's usually due to the fact that you do not have Microsoft Windows Help for %%os%% installed on your computer. This will prevent you from double-clicking to open the GID file because the OS doesn’t know how to handle it.

Tip: If you don't have Microsoft Windows Help installed, and you know of another program to open your GID file, you can try opening it by selecting from the programs listed under "Show Apps".

Outdated Microsoft Windows Help

Occasionally, you might have an outdated version of Microsoft Windows Help installed that's incompatible with your Windows Help Global Index File type. Installing the latest version of Microsoft Windows Help from Microsoft Corporation is recommended. This problem is predominately due to having a Windows Help Global Index File file version that was created by a newer version of Microsoft Windows Help than what you have installed on your PC.

Tip: If you right-click on your GID file, then select "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac), you can obtain hints about what version you need.

Primarily, problems experienced when opening GID files are due to having the incorrect version of Microsoft Windows Help installed on your computer.

More Causes of Problems Opening GIDs

Although you might already have Microsoft Windows Help or another GID-associated software installed on your computer, you can still encounter problems opening Windows Help Global Index File files. If you are still having problems opening GID files, there may be other issues that are preventing you from opening these files. Issues that aren't software-related:

• Windows Registry GID file paths that are incorrect
• Accidental deletion of the description of the GID file in the Windows registry
• Incomplete or bad installation of a software application associated with the GID format
• GID file corruption
• The GID is infected with a virus
• Drivers associated with GID software need to be updated
• Windows has inadequate resources to open your Windows Help Global Index File file