--- a/runtime/autoload/netrw.vim
+++ b/runtime/autoload/netrw.vim
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
 " Date:		  May 03, 2023
 " Version:	173a
 " Last Change: {{{1
-" 	2023 Nov 21 by Vim Project: ignore wildignore when expanding $COMSPEC	(v173a)
-" 	2023 Nov 22 by Vim Project: fix handling of very long filename on longlist style	(v173a)
+"   2023 Nov 21 by Vim Project: ignore wildignore when expanding $COMSPEC	(v173a)
+"   2023 Nov 22 by Vim Project: fix handling of very long filename on longlist style	(v173a)
 "   2024 Feb 19 by Vim Project: (announce adoption)
 "   2024 Feb 29 by Vim Project: handle symlinks in tree mode correctly
 "   2024 Apr 03 by Vim Project: detect filetypes for remote edited files
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 "   2024 Sep 15 by Vim Project: more strict confirmation dialog (#15680)
 "   2024 Sep 19 by Vim Project: mf-selection highlight uses wrong pattern (#15700)
 "   2024 Sep 21 by Vim Project: remove extraneous closing bracket (#15718)
+"   2024 Oct 21 by Vim Project: remove netrwFileHandlers (#15895)
 "   }}}
 " Former Maintainer:	Charles E Campbell
 " GetLatestVimScripts: 1075 1 :AutoInstall: netrw.vim
@@ -5448,11 +5449,7 @@ fun! netrw#BrowseX(fname,remote)
 
   " execute the file handler
 "  call Decho("execute the file handler (if any)",'~'.expand("<slnum>"))
-  if exists("g:netrw_browsex_viewer") && g:netrw_browsex_viewer == '-'
-"   call Decho("(netrw#BrowseX) g:netrw_browsex_viewer<".g:netrw_browsex_viewer.">",'~'.expand("<slnum>"))
-   let ret= netrwFileHandlers#Invoke(exten,fname)
-
-  elseif exists("g:netrw_browsex_viewer") && executable(viewer)
+  if exists("g:netrw_browsex_viewer") && executable(viewer)
 "   call Decho("(netrw#BrowseX) g:netrw_browsex_viewer<".g:netrw_browsex_viewer.">",'~'.expand("<slnum>"))
    call s:NetrwExe("sil !".viewer." ".viewopt.s:ShellEscape(fname,1).redir)
    let ret= v:shell_error
@@ -5518,17 +5515,13 @@ fun! netrw#BrowseX(fname,remote)
 "   call Decho("(netrw#BrowseX) macunix and open",'~'.expand("<slnum>"))
    call s:NetrwExe("sil !open ".s:ShellEscape(fname,1)." ".redir)
    let ret= v:shell_error
-
-  else
-   " netrwFileHandlers#Invoke() always returns 0
-"   call Decho("(netrw#BrowseX) use netrwFileHandlers",'~'.expand("<slnum>"))
-   let ret= netrwFileHandlers#Invoke(exten,fname)
-  endif
-
-  " if unsuccessful, attempt netrwFileHandlers#Invoke()
+  else
+   call netrw#ErrorMsg(s:ERROR, "Couldn't find a program to open '".a:fname."'", 0)
+   let ret=0
+  endif
+
   if ret
-"   call Decho("(netrw#BrowseX) ret=".ret," indicates unsuccessful thus far",'~'.expand("<slnum>"))
-   let ret= netrwFileHandlers#Invoke(exten,fname)
+   call netrw#ErrorMsg(s:ERROR, "Failed to open '".a:fname."'", 0)
   endif
 
   " restoring redraw! after external file handlers

deleted file mode 100644
--- a/runtime/autoload/netrwFileHandlers.vim
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,363 +0,0 @@
-" netrwFileHandlers: contains various extension-based file handlers for
-"                    netrw's browsers' x command ("eXecute launcher")
-" Maintainer: This runtime file is looking for a new maintainer.
-" Original Author: Charles E. Campbell
-" Date:		Sep 18, 2020
-" Version:	11
-" Copyright:    Copyright (C) 1999-2012 Charles E. Campbell {{{1
-"               Permission is hereby granted to use and distribute this code,
-"               with or without modifications, provided that this copyright
-"               notice is copied with it. Like anything else that's free,
-"               netrwFileHandlers.vim is provided *as is* and comes with no
-"               warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. In no
-"               event will the copyright holder be liable for any damages
-"               resulting from the use of this software.
-"
-" Rom 6:23 (WEB) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God {{{1
-"                is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" Load Once: {{{1
-if exists("g:loaded_netrwFileHandlers") || &cp
- finish
-endif
-let g:loaded_netrwFileHandlers= "v11"
-if v:version < 702
- echohl WarningMsg
- echo "***warning*** this version of netrwFileHandlers needs vim 7.2"
- echohl Normal
- finish
-endif
-let s:keepcpo= &cpo
-set cpo&vim
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" netrwFileHandlers#Invoke: {{{1
-fun! netrwFileHandlers#Invoke(exten,fname)
-"  call Dfunc("netrwFileHandlers#Invoke(exten<".a:exten."> fname<".a:fname.">)")
-  let exten= a:exten
-  " list of supported special characters.  Consider rcs,v --- that can be
-  " supported with a NFH_rcsCOMMAv() handler
-  if exten =~ '[@:,$!=\-+%?;~]'
-   let specials= {
-\   '@' : 'AT',
-\   ':' : 'COLON',
-\   ',' : 'COMMA',
-\   '$' : 'DOLLAR',
-\   '!' : 'EXCLAMATION',
-\   '=' : 'EQUAL',
-\   '-' : 'MINUS',
-\   '+' : 'PLUS',
-\   '%' : 'PERCENT',
-\   '?' : 'QUESTION',
-\   ';' : 'SEMICOLON',
-\   '~' : 'TILDE'}
-   let exten= substitute(a:exten,'[@:,$!=\-+%?;~]','\=specials[submatch(0)]','ge')
-"   call Decho('fname<'.fname.'> done with dictionary')
-  endif
-
-  if a:exten != "" && exists("*NFH_".exten)
-   " support user NFH_*() functions
-"   call Decho("let ret= netrwFileHandlers#NFH_".a:exten.'("'.fname.'")')
-   exe "let ret= NFH_".exten.'("'.a:fname.'")'
-  elseif a:exten != "" && exists("*s:NFH_".exten)
-   " use builtin-NFH_*() functions
-"   call Decho("let ret= netrwFileHandlers#NFH_".a:exten.'("'.fname.'")')
-   exe "let ret= s:NFH_".a:exten.'("'.a:fname.'")'
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("netrwFileHandlers#Invoke 0 : ret=".ret)
-  return 0
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_html: handles html when the user hits "x" when the {{{1
-"                        cursor is atop a *.html file
-fun! s:NFH_html(pagefile)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_html(".a:pagefile.")")
-
-  let page= substitute(a:pagefile,'^','file://','')
-
-  if executable("mozilla")
-"   call Decho("executing !mozilla ".page)
-   exe "!mozilla ".shellescape(page,1)
-  elseif executable("netscape")
-"   call Decho("executing !netscape ".page)
-   exe "!netscape ".shellescape(page,1)
-  else
-"   call Dret("s:NFH_html 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_html 1")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_htm: handles html when the user hits "x" when the {{{1
-"                        cursor is atop a *.htm file
-fun! s:NFH_htm(pagefile)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_htm(".a:pagefile.")")
-
-  let page= substitute(a:pagefile,'^','file://','')
-
-  if executable("mozilla")
-"   call Decho("executing !mozilla ".page)
-   exe "!mozilla ".shellescape(page,1)
-  elseif executable("netscape")
-"   call Decho("executing !netscape ".page)
-   exe "!netscape ".shellescape(page,1)
-  else
-"   call Dret("s:NFH_htm 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_htm 1")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_jpg: {{{1
-fun! s:NFH_jpg(jpgfile)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_jpg(jpgfile<".a:jpgfile.">)")
-
-  if executable("gimp")
-   exe "silent! !gimp -s ".shellescape(a:jpgfile,1)
-  elseif executable(expand("$SystemRoot")."/SYSTEM32/MSPAINT.EXE")
-"   call Decho("silent! !".expand("$SystemRoot")."/SYSTEM32/MSPAINT ".escape(a:jpgfile," []|'"))
-   exe "!".expand("$SystemRoot")."/SYSTEM32/MSPAINT ".shellescape(a:jpgfile,1)
-  else
-"   call Dret("s:NFH_jpg 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_jpg 1")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_gif: {{{1
-fun! s:NFH_gif(giffile)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_gif(giffile<".a:giffile.">)")
-
-  if executable("gimp")
-   exe "silent! !gimp -s ".shellescape(a:giffile,1)
-  elseif executable(expand("$SystemRoot")."/SYSTEM32/MSPAINT.EXE")
-   exe "silent! !".expand("$SystemRoot")."/SYSTEM32/MSPAINT ".shellescape(a:giffile,1)
-  else
-"   call Dret("s:NFH_gif 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_gif 1")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_png: {{{1
-fun! s:NFH_png(pngfile)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_png(pngfile<".a:pngfile.">)")
-
-  if executable("gimp")
-   exe "silent! !gimp -s ".shellescape(a:pngfile,1)
-  elseif executable(expand("$SystemRoot")."/SYSTEM32/MSPAINT.EXE")
-   exe "silent! !".expand("$SystemRoot")."/SYSTEM32/MSPAINT ".shellescape(a:pngfile,1)
-  else
-"   call Dret("s:NFH_png 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_png 1")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_pnm: {{{1
-fun! s:NFH_pnm(pnmfile)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_pnm(pnmfile<".a:pnmfile.">)")
-
-  if executable("gimp")
-   exe "silent! !gimp -s ".shellescape(a:pnmfile,1)
-  elseif executable(expand("$SystemRoot")."/SYSTEM32/MSPAINT.EXE")
-   exe "silent! !".expand("$SystemRoot")."/SYSTEM32/MSPAINT ".shellescape(a:pnmfile,1)
-  else
-"   call Dret("s:NFH_pnm 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_pnm 1")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_bmp: visualize bmp files {{{1
-fun! s:NFH_bmp(bmpfile)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_bmp(bmpfile<".a:bmpfile.">)")
-
-  if executable("gimp")
-   exe "silent! !gimp -s ".a:bmpfile
-  elseif executable(expand("$SystemRoot")."/SYSTEM32/MSPAINT.EXE")
-   exe "silent! !".expand("$SystemRoot")."/SYSTEM32/MSPAINT ".shellescape(a:bmpfile,1)
-  else
-"   call Dret("s:NFH_bmp 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_bmp 1")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_pdf: visualize pdf files {{{1
-fun! s:NFH_pdf(pdf)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_pdf(pdf<".a:pdf.">)")
-  if executable("gs")
-   exe 'silent! !gs '.shellescape(a:pdf,1)
-  elseif executable("pdftotext")
-   exe 'silent! pdftotext -nopgbrk '.shellescape(a:pdf,1)
-  else
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_pdf 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_pdf 1")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_doc: visualize doc files {{{1
-fun! s:NFH_doc(doc)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_doc(doc<".a:doc.">)")
-
-  if executable("oowriter")
-   exe 'silent! !oowriter '.shellescape(a:doc,1)
-   redraw!
-  else
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_doc 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_doc 1")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_sxw: visualize sxw files {{{1
-fun! s:NFH_sxw(sxw)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_sxw(sxw<".a:sxw.">)")
-
-  if executable("oowriter")
-   exe 'silent! !oowriter '.shellescape(a:sxw,1)
-   redraw!
-  else
-"   call Dret("s:NFH_sxw 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_sxw 1")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_xls: visualize xls files {{{1
-fun! s:NFH_xls(xls)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_xls(xls<".a:xls.">)")
-
-  if executable("oocalc")
-   exe 'silent! !oocalc '.shellescape(a:xls,1)
-   redraw!
-  else
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_xls 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_xls 1")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_ps: handles PostScript files {{{1
-fun! s:NFH_ps(ps)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_ps(ps<".a:ps.">)")
-  if executable("gs")
-"   call Decho("exe silent! !gs ".a:ps)
-   exe "silent! !gs ".shellescape(a:ps,1)
-   redraw!
-  elseif executable("ghostscript")
-"   call Decho("exe silent! !ghostscript ".a:ps)
-   exe "silent! !ghostscript ".shellescape(a:ps,1)
-   redraw!
-  elseif executable("gswin32")
-"   call Decho("exe silent! !gswin32 ".shellescape(a:ps,1))
-   exe "silent! !gswin32 ".shellescape(a:ps,1)
-   redraw!
-  else
-"   call Dret("s:NFH_ps 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_ps 1")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_eps: handles encapsulated PostScript files {{{1
-fun! s:NFH_eps(eps)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_eps()")
-  if executable("gs")
-   exe "silent! !gs ".shellescape(a:eps,1)
-   redraw!
-  elseif executable("ghostscript")
-   exe "silent! !ghostscript ".shellescape(a:eps,1)
-   redraw!
-  elseif executable("ghostscript")
-   exe "silent! !ghostscript ".shellescape(a:eps,1)
-   redraw!
-  elseif executable("gswin32")
-   exe "silent! !gswin32 ".shellescape(a:eps,1)
-   redraw!
-  else
-"   call Dret("s:NFH_eps 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_eps 0")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_fig: handles xfig files {{{1
-fun! s:NFH_fig(fig)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_fig()")
-  if executable("xfig")
-   exe "silent! !xfig ".a:fig
-   redraw!
-  else
-"   call Dret("s:NFH_fig 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_fig 1")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-" s:NFH_obj: handles tgif's obj files {{{1
-fun! s:NFH_obj(obj)
-"  call Dfunc("s:NFH_obj()")
-  if has("unix") && executable("tgif")
-   exe "silent! !tgif ".a:obj
-   redraw!
-  else
-"   call Dret("s:NFH_obj 0")
-   return 0
-  endif
-
-"  call Dret("s:NFH_obj 1")
-  return 1
-endfun
-
-let &cpo= s:keepcpo
-unlet s:keepcpo
-" ---------------------------------------------------------------------
-"  Modelines: {{{1
-"  vim: fdm=marker

--- a/runtime/doc/pi_netrw.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/pi_netrw.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-*pi_netrw.txt*  For Vim version 9.1.  Last change: 2024 Jul 13
+*pi_netrw.txt*  For Vim version 9.1.  Last change: 2024 Oct 21
 
 	    ------------------------------------------------
 	    NETRW REFERENCE MANUAL    by Charles E. Campbell
@@ -1471,7 +1471,6 @@ permission to remove a file, it will iss
 
 						*netrw-gx*
 CUSTOMIZING BROWSING WITH A SPECIAL HANDLER	*netrw-x* *netrw-handler* {{{2
-						(also see |netrw_filehandler|)
 
 Certain files, such as html, gif, jpeg, (word/office) doc, etc, files, are
 best seen with a special handler (ie. a tool provided with your computer's
@@ -1490,21 +1489,12 @@ Netrw determines which special handler b
 <   or >
 	:let g:netrw_browsex_viewer= "xdg-open"
 <
-    If g:netrw_browsex_viewer == '-', then netrwFileHandlers#Invoke() will be
-    used instead (see |netrw_filehandler|).
-
     If the viewer you wish to use does not support handling of a remote URL
     directory, set |g:netrw_browsex_support_remote| to 0.
   * for Windows 32 or 64, the URL and FileProtocolHandler dlls are used.
   * for Gnome (with gnome-open): gnome-open is used.
   * for KDE (with kfmclient)   : kfmclient is used
   * for Mac OS X               : open is used.
-  * otherwise the netrwFileHandler plugin is used.
-
-The file's suffix is used by these various approaches to determine an
-appropriate application to use to "handle" these files.  Such things as
-OpenOffice (*.sfx), visualization (*.jpg, *.gif, etc), and PostScript (*.ps,
-*.eps) can be handled.
 
 The gx mapping extends to all buffers; apply "gx" while atop a word and netrw
 will apply a special handler to it (like "x" works when in a netrw buffer).
@@ -1521,46 +1511,6 @@ Associated setting variables:
 	|g:netrw_nogx|	prevent gx map while editing
 	|g:netrw_suppress_gx_mesg| controls gx's suppression of browser messages
 
-							*netrw_filehandler*
-
-When |g:netrw_browsex_viewer| exists and is "-", then netrw will attempt to
-handle the special file with a vim function.  The "x" map applies a function
-to a file, based on its extension.  Of course, the handler function must exist
-for it to be called!
->
- Ex. mypgm.html   x -> NFH_html("scp://user@host/some/path/mypgm.html")
-
-<	Users may write their own netrw File Handler functions to
-	support more suffixes with special handling.  See
-	<autoload/netrwFileHandlers.vim> for examples on how to make
-	file handler functions.   As an example: >
-
-	" NFH_suffix(filename)
-	fun! NFH_suffix(filename)
-	..do something special with filename..
-	endfun
-<
-These functions need to be defined in some file in your .vim/plugin
-(vimfiles\plugin) directory.  Vim's function names may not have punctuation
-characters (except for the underscore) in them.  To support suffices that
-contain such characters, netrw will first convert the suffix using the
-following table: >
-
-    @ -> AT       ! -> EXCLAMATION    % -> PERCENT
-    : -> COLON    = -> EQUAL          ? -> QUESTION
-    , -> COMMA    - -> MINUS          ; -> SEMICOLON
-    $ -> DOLLAR   + -> PLUS           ~ -> TILDE
-<
-So, for example: >
-
-	file.rcs,v  ->  NFH_rcsCOMMAv()
-<
-If more such translations are necessary, please send me email: >
-		NcampObell@SdrPchip.AorgM-NOSPAM
-with a request.  (remove the embedded NOSPAM first)
-
-Associated setting variable: |g:netrw_browsex_viewer|
-
 							*netrw-curdir*
 DELETING BOOKMARKS					*netrw-mB* {{{2
 
@@ -2583,12 +2533,7 @@ your browsing preferences.  (see also: |
   *g:netrw_browsex_viewer*	specify user's preference for a viewer: >
 					"kfmclient exec"
 					"gnome-open"
-<				If >
-					"-"
-<				is used, then netrwFileHandler() will look for
-				a script/function to handle the given
-				extension.  (see |netrw_filehandler|).
-
+<
   *g:netrw_browsex_support_remote*
 				specify if the specified viewer supports a
 				remote URL.  (see |netrw-handler|).

--- a/runtime/doc/tags
+++ b/runtime/doc/tags
@@ -9122,7 +9122,6 @@ netrw-write	pi_netrw.txt	/*netrw-write*
 netrw-x	pi_netrw.txt	/*netrw-x*
 netrw-xfer	pi_netrw.txt	/*netrw-xfer*
 netrw.vim	pi_netrw.txt	/*netrw.vim*
-netrw_filehandler	pi_netrw.txt	/*netrw_filehandler*
 netterm-mouse	options.txt	/*netterm-mouse*
 network	pi_netrw.txt	/*network*
 new()	vim9class.txt	/*new()*