HXT File Extension

HXT file icon

Microsoft Help 2 Table Of Contents Format

What is a HXT file?

Files with the HXT extension are specifically tied to Microsoft Help 2 Table Of Contents Format, a Data Files type, and there are 6196 files in this category.

With the creation of the Microsoft Help 2 Table Of Contents Format (HXT), Microsoft introduced file format along with 242 programs built for their use.

HXT file support extends to various operating systems, including Windows. You can open a HXT file using one of 2 programs, for example Microsoft Windows Help and Microsoft Windows.

File Signature

HEX code: 3C 3F 78 6D 6C 20 76 65 72 73 69 6F 6E 3D 22 31 2E. ASCII code: ASCII: ?xml version=.

Programs that support HXT files

How to open a HXT file?

The most common reason why a HXT file cannot be opened is the absence of required software. To fix this, select a compatible program from the list. Then visit the official developer website via the provided link, download the program, and install it on your system.

Thanks to their popularity, Microsoft Windows Help and Microsoft Windows are often the go-to programs for managing HXT files. To install the updated version of Microsoft Windows Help, simply go to the Microsoft site and download the installer compatible with all major platforms.

After setup, the operating system should recognize HXT files and link them with Microsoft Windows Help.

Set Microsoft Windows Help to open HXT by default

Change default apps on Mac

  1. Right-click or use Control + Left-click on the desired HXT file to access the file’s context menu;
  2. Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the window, and there you will find the "Enable" menu. The default selection is "Recommended Programs";
  4. Choose "All Programs" within this menu and locate Microsoft Windows Help. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to set it as the default program.

Change a default app in Windows

  1. Start the process by right-clicking on your HXT file and selecting "Open With". From there, click "Choose another app" to continue;
  2. Find the Microsoft Windows Help application in the pop-up window and select it as your preferred program;
  3. Select the "Always use this application" check box and click "OK" to save your selection as the default application for opening HXT files.

Easy HXT Troubleshooting

HXT files can sometimes be tricky, but minor software adjustments usually resolve the issues. Refer to the tips below for guidance.

Why does Microsoft Windows Help stop responding or crash intermittently?

Lack of regular software updates can cause Microsoft Windows Help to crash. Make sure you have installed the latest updates for Microsoft products.

Restarting your computer is often an effective solution to resolve various common problems. Therefore, it is recommended to do so before making any changes to the software configuration.

What are the best practices for repairing a HXT file that has gone bad?

Start a recovery program, open the damaged HXT file and then select the "Repair" menu item to start the repair procedure. Please wait patiently for the recovery process to finish as it will automatically repair the damaged data files.

How can I confirm if my HXT file has been damaged?

Characteristics of corrupted HXT data files can include:

  • Editing the archive in Microsoft Windows Help is hampered by poor overall performance;
  • Trying to work with the archive in Microsoft Windows Help or other programs causes instability or program crashes;
  • The file does not open correctly or displays error messages;
  • An unexplained increase in the size of the HXT file;
  • The file operation is accompanied by the display of error messages;

How to edit a HXT file?

To modify HXT files, you need to install special software that makes it possible to open and edit data files. Online HXT editors are more restricted compared to software designed for Microsoft Help 2 Table Of Contents Format.

Best HXT editors 2026

Based on your described criteria, here is a list of available HXT editors.

HXT Editor SoftwareDeveloperPlatformsOverall Rating
Microsoft Windows HelpMicrosoftWindows4.2 out of 5 (38 reviews)