Extract text from Localization files (CHS)
To convert CHS files to another format, you need Microsoft Visual Studio or other Developer software.
To convert other file formats to the "Localization Resource" file type, you need software like Microsoft Visual Studio or a similar tool.
The .chs extension is primarily used for Chinese Localized Resources in Windows applications. These are technically PE (Portable Executable) files - essentially DLL files renamed to indicate they contain language-specific assets like dialog boxes, menus, and text strings for Chinese locales. Because they are compiled binaries, opening them in a text editor like Notepad results in unreadable gibberish (mojibake). To edit or convert them, you must use a resource editor like Resource Hacker or Visual Studio to extract the content into a standard RC (Resource Script) or RES file.
A secondary but significant use is as a Changeset File for Cincom Smalltalk (VisualWorks or ObjectStudio). These files track source code modifications and version history in a proprietary format. Developers typically need to import these back into the Smalltalk environment to view the code or export it as standard ST source files. Occasionally, users may also encounter NOISE.CHS, a plain text file used by the Windows Indexing Service to list common Chinese "noise words" (like 'the' or 'and') to be ignored during searches.
Convert.Guru analyzes your CHS file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted EXX, RUL and INS files.
If you want to convert CHS file to SYS, DLL, EXE, DRV, VXD, 386, COM, BAT, CMD, SCR, PIF or LNK, you can use Microsoft Visual Studio or similar software from the "Chinese Localization Resource" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert MSI, EXE, REG, MST, LNK, CAB, CAT, DRV, INF, SYS, MSU or DLL files to CHS, try Microsoft Visual Studio or another comparable tool in the "Chinese Localization Resource" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our CHS converter.