CHM File Documentation

Overview

Feature Value
File Extension .chm
Full Name Compiled HTML Help File
MIME Type application/vnd.ms-htmlhelp
File Format Binary
Developed by Microsoft
Introduced 1997
Main Usage User manuals, product documentation
Based On HTML
Compression Yes, LZX compression
Structured Format Yes
Indexing Support Yes
Search Feature Yes
Default Encoding UTF-8
Security Can contain vulnerabilities if not properly secured
Platform Windows
Viewing/Editing Software Microsoft HTML Help Workshop, others
Integration with Windows Deeply integrated up to Windows 7, less so in later versions
Executable Code Can include, leading to potential security risks
De facto Standard For Windows-based help files
Accessibility Variable, depends on the content