Tips to open CHI file

Can't open the CHI file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open CHI files as well as a list of programs that support CHI files.

CHI file extension

File Name Microsoft Help Index
File Developer Microsoft Corporation
File Category Misc Files

The CHI file is supported on 1 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the CHI files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the CHI file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is CHI file?

The CHI file has been categorized as Misc Files. The author of this format is Microsoft Corporation. Additionally, the Misc Files category contains 6033 of other files. Microsoft Help Index is most often found on 1 operating systems. These systems consist of Windows, although it may occasionally be found on another system, it will be non-functional. The main program that supports this format is Visual FoxPro. This was created by Microsoft Corporation. This file type can also be opened by 1 other programs. You can use Microsoft Windows in case Visual FoxPro cannot be used.

How to open CHI file?

The main problem with Microsoft Help Index is that the CHI file is incorrectly associated with programs. This causes the file CHI to open by system applications not designed for this purpose, or to display a message that there is no associated program. How to solve such a problem?

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the CHI file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install Visual FoxPro

In this case, you should first verify that the Visual FoxPro application is installed on the computer. To do this, enter the name Visual FoxPro into the system search engine. If it is not, installation may solve the problem, as most applications create file associations during installation. Below is a list of programs that support the file CHI.

Programs to open CHI file

Remember to download programs supporting CHI files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.

Step 2. Create association of Visual FoxPro with CHI files

However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the CHI file to open in the Visual FoxPro application, but you can set it manually. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. Information about the file and the program that the file is associated with are available here. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. If there is no software on the list, simply select "Browse" and manually select the directory where the application is installed. Checking the "Always use the selected program ..." box will permanently associate the CHI file with the Visual FoxPro program.

Step 3. Update Visual FoxPro to the latest version

If, despite the association of the Visual FoxPro program with the Microsoft Help Index file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version. This can be done using the application (if it provides such options) or from the Microsoft Corporation website and install the latest version.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the CHI file

If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. File problems can be divided into the following:

The CHI file may be unusually small compared to the original file. This suggests truncating the CHI file contents when downloading or copying. Downloading the file again should fix the problem.
The computer may have fallen victim to a computer virus or hacker. A quick virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should clear up any doubts. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the CHI file that we want to open. Sometimes virus-infected CHI files cannot be recovered, so make a backup in advance.
This can happen especially when the program is dynamically developed and the structure of the CHI files changes over time. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
There can be many reasons for the failure. Depending on the type of file, it is necessary to repair it accordingly. Sometimes the program itself has options to repair the most popular CHI file corruption. The easiest way to restore the file is from a backup or by contacting Microsoft Corporation, but this one can be expensive. Not all damage can be reversed.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted CHI files can be used by the device on which they were encrypted, on any other device it is required to have the appropriate cryptographic key and decrypt the file before its recovery.
Some operating systems do not allow file operations in certain locations, eg in system directories or directly on the system drive. While there is usually no problem reading such a file, it may not be possible to save it. Copying the CHI file to another location will fix the problem.
This problem usually affects more complex files. You may find that another program you are using is preventing you from working with the file. Closing other programs should help. Sometimes it is necessary to wait a while before referencing the CHI file again. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If the problem persists, restart the machine.