Name

Help and Support Center — \windows\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\helpctr.exe

Synopsis

The primary online documentation for Windows XP.

To Open

Start Help and Support

Command Prompt helpctr

Description

Rather than a standard help file, Help and Support Center is more like a web site, providing documentation for some of the components included in Windows XP, a collection of tips and tricks, some troubleshooting information, and rudimentary walk-throughs for such tasks as keeping your computer up to date and adding hardware and software (see Figure 4-41).

The search tool in the Help and Support Center shows the most relevant information in the included documentation and in Microsoft’s online knowledge base

Figure 4-41. The search tool in the Help and Support Center shows the most relevant information in the included documentation and in Microsoft’s online knowledge base

While Help and Support Center does have some minimal troubleshooting content, it’s mostly simple solutions to common problems (i.e., if you can’t print, check to see if your printer is turned on and is loaded with paper). However, if you’re connected to the Internet, the Search tool at the top of the window will also search the Microsoft Knowledge Base, an immense database of troubleshooting information, frequently asked questions, bug reports, compatibility lists, and other technical support issues. In fact, since I access the Microsoft KB frequently, I find this built-in interface to be faster and more convenient then using the search function on Microsoft’s web site! ...

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