more digging and found this - it worked, hot damn!
https://iristech.co/winhlp32-exe-on-windows-10/


On 02/15/2024 05:22 p.m., Peter wrote:
> Ok, everything installed fine, Leslie's BDE installer was fine, all 
> good, except, the help function. Dang!
> 
> Microsoft seems bound and determined to make our decisions for us 
> grown-ups.
> 
> I followed the directions on this link but it still didn't work, I've 
> checked my work twice.
> https://github.com/knuth-konrad/winhlp32-on-windows10?tab=readme-ov-file#winhlp32-and-windows-10

> 
> 
> Microsoft directions for Windows 8 says to add to keys to the registry
> HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\WinHelp |AllowProgrammaticMacros = 1
> HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\WinHelp |AllowIntranetAccess = 1
> 
> Still no love. Does anyone know any other resources to solve this? Thanks.
> 
> 
> 
> On 02/15/2024 11:25 a.m., Steve Green wrote:
>> it will go in program files (x86).. should not matter, but.. if you're 
>> really doing sp4 from a cd, most of us (all of us) probably have sp3.. 
>> this far down the road, you might want to consider doing the same
>>
>>
>>
>> On 02/15/2024 12:48 AM, Peter wrote:
>>> So, I am installing Pdx 9 (sp4) onto a Windows 10 machine. I seem to 
>>> recall that we should not install it to "Program Files" but rather 
>>> another folder. Is my memory shorting out? Does it matter? Thank you.
>>>
>>> One of my customers is looking to replace (8) XP machines with Win 10.
>>>
>>>
>>> On 07/30/2015 05:42 p.m., Leslie Milburn wrote:
>>>> Just wondering if anyone has any news regarding Windows 10 and 
>>>> Paradox for
>>>> Windows/BDE.
>>>> Leslie.
>>>>
>>>>
>>