Microsoft has released Knowledge Base article 917607: Windows Help program (WinHelp32.exe) is no longer included with Windows.

This KB article talks about the decision to remove WinHelp as a component from Vista, and that third-party programs that include .hlp files are prohibited from redistributing winhelp32.exe. (Not much new here...)

HOWEVER:

"Users who want to view .hlp files must download the program from the Microsoft Download Center, and then install it on their computers. The download for Windows Help is still in development and will not be available for the release of Windows Vista Beta 2."

This information updates earlier announcements (including mine).

So what does this mean?

Well, there's been a slight change in the plans announced in April, because now a WinHelp32 engine will be available for download. This helps those who have hundreds of archived WinHelp files (most in maintenance mode) supporting their apps, as those .hlp files can still be distributed.

However, if you have WinHelp files, you should continue to think about converting them to HTML Help. WinHelp will not be supported forever.