Well, it’s fixed, but I’m not sure what I changed to fix it. Regardless, here is what i did. (full version, because I’m not sure if my process had anything to do with it being fixed now):
First I went into Internet Settings and set all security and privacy settings back to default. This didn’t help.
Then I checked on the “Internet Explorer Should Check to see if it’s the default browser” in the Internet Preferences > Programs tab. Nada.
Then I unchecked the default browser check. Nope.
Then I went back into the security preferences under the Privacy tab and moved the slider up one unit, so it’s third form the top, one above default. Now when I launched WM the help system works.
I know, doesn’t make sense, but it works now.
The one thing I did notice when the help was broken–the Internet Explorer window that would pop up seemed dysfunctional. Menu items didn’t seem to work, such as help.
Now that I think about it, the problem showed up with other applications that needed an Explorer window too. Like Photoshop and the like.
Anyway, hip hip hoora, and thanks for everyones input!