Compiled Help Index File
General Information
| Title | CHW File Extension |
| Extension | .chw |
| Full Form | Compiled Help Index File |
| File Type | Help File |
| Developer | Microsoft |
| MIME Type | application/mshelp |
File Function
| Primary Function | Help navigation |
| Additional Functions | Indexing, Search assistance |
| Features | Keyword lookup, Full-text search |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Binary format |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | No |
Use Cases
| Software Documentation | Yes |
| Help Systems | Yes |
| Technical Support | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Code execution |
| Best Practices | Validate source |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Mid-1990s |
| Latest Version | Part of HTML Help |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .hlp, .chm, .hhc, .hhk |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Microsoft HTML Help Workshop |
Free | Windows |
 Help Explorer Viewer |
Free | Windows, Linux |