Top Solutions for Recovering .MSHC Files on Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .MSHC file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2025.

Top Solutions for Recovering .MSHC Files on Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .MSHC file?

Help package created in the MS Help Viewer 1.x format, which replaces the MS Help 2.x (.HXS) and MS Help 1.x (.CHM) formats; stores help content such as .HTML files, images, and written text; saved in a compressed .ZIP format.

What Are Common Causes of ".MSHC" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".MSHC" files being lost or failing:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".MSHC" files while managing their files or folders, leading to their loss.
  2. Software or hardware issues: Issues with the software or hardware on the device can result in the corruption or loss of ".MSHC" files. This could be due to system crashes, software conflicts, or hardware failures.
  3. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect and corrupt ".MSHC" files, rendering them inaccessible or causing them to fail.
  4. File system errors: Errors within the file system, such as file system corruption or bad sectors on the storage device, can cause ".MSHC" files to become lost or fail.
  5. Improper file transfer or storage: If ".MSHC" files are not transferred or stored properly, such as interrupted file transfers or improper ejection of storage devices, it can lead to file loss or failure.
  6. Operating system upgrades or updates: Sometimes, during operating system upgrades or updates, ".MSHC" files may be accidentally deleted or become incompatible with the new system, resulting in their loss or failure.
  7. Power outages or sudden shutdowns: Power outages or sudden system shutdowns can interrupt file operations and lead to ".MSHC" file loss or failure.

It is important to regularly back up ".MSHC" files and maintain a reliable data recovery solution to mitigate the risk of file loss or failure.

How to recover lost ".MSHC" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".MSHC" file may be deleted.

Go to view
🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".MSHC" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".MSHC" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".MSHC" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 5.0
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".MSHC" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".MSHC" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo microsoft Help Container File image file file?

Programs that open ".MSHC" files

Windows
The Helpware Group FAR The Helpware Group FAR
Microsoft Windows zip utility Microsoft Windows zip utility

Additional Information

  • File type: Microsoft Help Container File

  • File extension: .MSHC

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Developer Files

  • Format: Zip

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 11:35 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .MSHC files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is the file format .MSHC and what is its purpose?

    The file format .MSHC stands for Microsoft Help Collections. It is a proprietary file format developed by Microsoft and is used for creating and organizing help documentation in the form of help collections.

    Help collections are a set of help topics and related content grouped together for a specific software application or system. These collections can include various types of help content such as text, images, multimedia files, and links to other resources.

    The purpose of the .MSHC file format is to provide a structured and organized way to deliver help documentation to users. It allows developers and technical writers to create comprehensive help systems that can be easily accessed and navigated by users. Help collections in .MSHC format can be integrated into software applications, websites, or accessed as standalone help files.

  • How can I open a .MSHC file and what software or tools are required?

    To open a .MSHC file, you will need the Microsoft Help Compiler (or MSHC) software. This software is used to create, compile, and view help files in the Microsoft Help format.

    Here are the steps to open a .MSHC file:

    1. Install the Microsoft Help Compiler: Download and install the Microsoft Help Compiler from the Microsoft website. This software is typically included in the Microsoft Windows SDK (Software Development Kit).
    2. Compile the .MSHC file: Once you have the Microsoft Help Compiler installed, you can compile the .MSHC file into a readable format. Open the command prompt and navigate to the directory containing the .MSHC file. Use the command "hhc .mshc" to compile the file. This will generate a .CHM (Compiled HTML Help) file.
    3. Open the compiled .CHM file: Once the .CHM file is generated, you can open it using any CHM viewer or reader. The default Windows CHM viewer is called "HTML Help Viewer." Simply double-click on the .CHM file, and it will open in the default viewer.

    Note: If you do not have the Microsoft Help Compiler, you may not be able to directly open the .MSHC file. In such cases, you may need to reach out to the file's creator or the software vendor to obtain a compatible viewer or converter for the .MSHC format.

  • Are there any specific steps or instructions to follow when trying to access and view the contents of a .MSHC file?

    Yes, there are specific steps to follow when trying to access and view the contents of a .MSHC file. Here is a general guideline:

    1. Install Microsoft Help Viewer: .MSHC files are associated with Microsoft Help Viewer, so you need to have it installed on your computer. You can download and install it from the Microsoft website.
    2. Open Microsoft Help Viewer: Once installed, open the Microsoft Help Viewer application. You can usually find it in the Start menu or by searching for it.
    3. Import .MSHC file: In the Microsoft Help Viewer, go to the "Manage Content" tab or a similar option. Look for an option to import or add content. Select the .MSHC file you want to view and import it into the viewer.
    4. Browse and search content: After importing the .MSHC file, you should be able to browse and search the contents within the Microsoft Help Viewer. It typically provides a user-friendly interface to navigate through the help documentation.

    Note: The specific steps may vary slightly depending on the version of Microsoft Help Viewer you are using, so refer to the documentation or help files provided with the software for more detailed instructions.
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