HWPROJ Troubleshooting
Common Problems Opening HWPROJ Files
Microsoft Visual Basic Removed
Double-clicking your HWPROJ file prompts the message "%%os%% Can't Open HWPROJ File". If so, it typically means that you don't have Microsoft Visual Basic installed for %%os%%. You won't be able to double-click to open your HWPROJ because your OS doesn't know what to do with it.
Tip: When you have another program installed that you know will open your HWPROJ, you can select it from the other programs listed (see "Show Apps").
Outdated Microsoft Visual Basic
Occasionally, you might have an outdated version of Microsoft Visual Basic installed that's incompatible with your Visual Studio .NET Help Project type. Installing the latest version of Microsoft Visual Basic from Microsoft Corporation is recommended. This issue mainly occurs when your Visual Studio .NET Help Project file was created by a newer version of Microsoft Visual Basic than you have on your PC.
Tip: Find clues on the correct software version by right-clicking your HWPROJ file and clicking "Properties".
Conclusion: The majority of HWPROJ file opening issues are due to not having the correct Microsoft Visual Basic version installed.
Other HWPROJ File Issues
Errors opening Visual Studio .NET Help Project files can still occur even with the latest Microsoft Visual Basic software installed on your computer. There can be external issues inside of %%os%% that are causing these errors when opening HWPROJs. Additional factors include:
- File references in the Windows Registry for HWPROJ are wrong
- The HWPROJ file description within the Windows Registry was removed
- Defective install of a HWPROJ program, such as Microsoft Visual Basic
- The HWPROJ itself is corrupted
- Your HWPROJ is infected with malware
- Device drivers for HWPROJ-related hardware are out-of-date
- Too many applications are open on your PC to load your Visual Studio .NET Help Project file successfully
Quiz: Which file extension is the oldest in existence?
That's Correct!
The text file, or "TXT" for short, is the oldest file extension in existence. Although the exact date is unknown, it is thought to have been invented in the late-1960's.
Close, but not quite...
The text file, or "TXT" for short, is the oldest file extension in existence. Although the exact date is unknown, it is thought to have been invented in the late-1960's.