Close all applications.
Last updated on
Apr 27, 2021
Issue
When you try to open the Help in Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 on Windows, the application returns the error "The help system cannot be launched because the help folder is missing. Please install the help folder or reinstall Dreamweaver."
Reason
The Windows registry entries that store settings for the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) are missing or damaged.
Solution
Log on to your computer as an administrator. Then do one or both of the following solutions.
Solution 1: Set your preferred web browser as the system default.
To set a system default web browser on Windows 7/Vista:
Choose Start > Control Panel.
Do one of following:
- If the Control Panel is in a Control Panel Home or Category view, then click Programs. On the next screen, click Default Programs.
- If the Control Panel is in Classic View, then double-click Default Programs.
Select Set Program Access And Computer Defaults.
In the Choose A Configuration list, click Custom.
Under Choose A Default Web Browser, select Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, or Opera.
Click OK.
To set a system default web browser on Windows XP:
Close all applications.
Choose Start > Control Panel (or Start > Settings > Control Panel).
Double-click Add Or Remove Programs.
On the left-hand pane of Add Or Remove Programs, select Set Program Access And Defaults.
In the Choose A Configuration list, click Custom.
Under Choose A Default Web Browser, select Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, or Safari.
Click OK.
Solution 2: Re-create the HTTP key in the Windows registry.
Disclaimer: The steps in this solution require you to modify the Windows registry. The registry contains system-related information that is critical to your computer and applications. Before modifying the registry, always make a backup copy of it. Adobe doesn't provide support for problems that arise from improperly modifying the registry. For information about the Windows registry, see the documentation in Windows or contact Microsoft Technical Support or your computer's manufacturer.
Close all applications.
Do one of the following:
- Windows 7/Vista: Choose Start > All Programs > Accessories. Then right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run As Administrator.
- Windows XP: Choose Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command exactly as it appears and then press Enter:
reg export HKCR\http "%userprofile%\AdobeHelpBackup.reg"
Note: Command Prompt may return the error "The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value." This is an expected message if the HTTP key is missing from the Windows registry. If this error appears, then go to Step 6; otherwise, proceed to Step 5.
reg export HKCR\http "%userprofile%\AdobeHelpBackup.reg"
Note: Command Prompt may return the error "The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value." This is an expected message if the HTTP key is missing from the Windows registry. If this error appears, then go to Step 6; otherwise, proceed to Step 5.
Type the following command exactly as it appears and then press Enter:
reg delete HKCR\http /f
reg delete HKCR\http /f
Type one of the following commands exactly as it appears and then press Enter (type the command that corresponds with the browser in which you would like to view the Dreamweaver CS4 Help):
Note: If you choose a browser other than Internet Explorer, then that browser must be installed before you type the command.
Note: If you choose a browser other than Internet Explorer, then that browser must be installed before you type the command.
- Internet Explorer
reg add HKCR\http\shell\open\command /ve /f /d "\"%programfiles%\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe\" "\"%1\"" - Firefox
reg copy HKCR\FirefoxURL\shell HKCR\http\shell /s /f - Opera
reg copy HKCR\Opera.HTML\shell HKCR\http\shell /s /f - Safari
reg copy HKCR\SafariURL\shell HKCR\http\shell /s /f - Google Chrome
reg copy HKCR\ChromeHTML\shell HKCR\http\shell /s /f
Close the Command Prompt window.
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