Windows explorer problem right click error "the message is failed to loadlocale files from "program files \Western Digital \WDSmartware\Locale""

Question

Hello to all

I am having a problem when I right click an icon on the desktop window pane. I am using windows 7 home premium edition running on a Acer Aspire laptop

I also have a Western Digital  Passport portable hard drive that I only use for photos not to back up the program files

The first message I get is as follows;

The window box is titled WDContextMenuHandler

the message is failed to loadlocale files from "program files \Western Digital \WDSmartware\Locale"

The next windows box titled Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime library appears

The message reads as follows

Runtime error  C:\Windows Explorer.exe

The application has requested the runtime to terminate it in an unusual way.

All desktop icons and programs open in the usual way.

Help would be appreciated

Regards Gary

Answer 1

Hi Gary,

This issue might be caused by the following:

A) Corrupt user profile: At times user profiles get corrupted. And you might encounter these error code or messages.

B) Corrupt or missing WD Smart Ware program: This issue might also be caused by a corrupt program or program files missing.

I suggest you to uninstall the WD Smart Ware program form the computer, you won’t get this error message.

Based on your previous reply you don’t use the WD for back up you just use it for pictures so uninstalling this WD software will not impact you.

Please follow the below methods and check if it helps:

Method 1: uninstall the program

Please follow the below article which will help you uninstall the program.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uninstall-change-program#uninstall-change-program=windows-7

Please refer to the article above and uninstall all WD related software’s.

If you need this programs back please reinstall the programs.

If you are not able to find any program associated with WD follow the below installer cleanup utility to clean up the traces of WD.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

Method 2: create a new user account and check

If this problem is related to user account corruption. I would recommend you to create a new user account and check if it helps.

To create a new account please follow the below article:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-user-account#create-user-account=windows-7

And refer to: My computer is in a workgroup

Hope this information helps. For any further Windows related assistance, feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help.

Answer 2

Thank you Palouk

I have shutt down and restarted the laptop with the external WD disconnected.

I brought up safe mode and removed all the files associated with the external hard drive.

I then ran from the  C:\  prompt  sfc / scannow. Scannow reported no issues

I am trying to remove  unwanted and outdated files from the desk top and continue to get the following messages. This happens with all the desktop icons.

The first message I get is as follows;

The window box is titled WDContextMenuHandler

the message is failed to loadlocale files from "program files \Western Digital \WDSmartware\Locale"

The next windows box titled Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime library appears

The message reads as follows

Runtime error  C:\Windows Explorer.exe

I may have unknowingly redirected the Win 7 Libraries>Pictures to the WD

Would a reinstall of Windows Explorer solve the problem or would this create further problems and further I do not know  how to do this. if this were a solution.

Kindest regards Gary

Answer 3

Are you shutting the PC down and restarting the PC with the external connected?

Which isn't what external usb drives were designed to do, the external should be disconected via safely remove, then unplugged before shutting the PC down & only reconnected when the PC has fully started up.

So what icon are you rt clicking on? what is the shortcut to?

If the WD holds only data files there shouldn't be any error msg refering to Program files, unless possibly you redirected the Win 7 Libraries>Pictures to the WD

WD Smartware is a WD specific backup program