Varieties of HXW Files

Leading HXW Type

.HXW

File ID:	.hxw
Type:	Microsoft Help Attribute Definition

Setting file contains attribute definition data associated with Microsoft Help, an utility used to create help files for Microsoft Windows operating system.

Author:	Microsoft Corporation
Kind:	Settings Files
Location:	HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.hxw

Software Programs That Open The Microsoft Help Attribute Definition:

Microsoft Visual Studio by Microsoft Corporation

Windows

Microsoft Windows by Microsoft Corporation

Windows

Microsoft Windows Help by Microsoft Corporation

Windows

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Troubleshoot HXW Files

Common Problems Opening HXW Files

Microsoft Visual Studio Removed

When you double-click your HXW file, you may see a dialog box from your operating system stating that it "Cannot Open This File Type". If so, it typically means that you don't have Microsoft Visual Studio installed for %%os%%. Because your operating system doesn't know what to do with this file, you won't be able to open it by double-clicking.

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

Obsolete Version of Microsoft Visual Studio

In other instances, your Microsoft Help Attribute Definition file version may not be supported by your version of Microsoft Visual Studio. If you do not have the proper version Microsoft Visual Studio (or any of the other programs listed above), you may need to try downloading a different version of it, or one of the other software applications listed above. Your Microsoft Help Attribute Definition file was probably created by a newer release of Microsoft Visual Studio than what's currently installed your computer.

Tip: Right-clicking on your HXW, then clicking "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac), can provide clues about your file version.

Summary: Not having the right Microsoft Visual Studio version on your computer can cause problems opening HXW files.

Other HXW File Issues

Even with the correct version of Microsoft Visual Studio installed, you can still experience difficulties opening HXWs. There can be other issues - unrelated to software - preventing you from opening HXW files. Issues that aren't software-related:

• Corrupt Windows Registry file path references for HXW
• Mistaken removal of the Windows registry HXW description
• Incomplete or bad installation of a software application associated with the HXW format
• Your HXW file is corrupted (issues with your Microsoft Help Attribute Definition file itself)
• Your HXW has adversely impacted by malware
• Hardware related to HXWs has device driver corruption
• Windows has inadequate resources to open your Microsoft Help Attribute Definition file