In this post, we help you solve some common AppLocale installation issues. AppLocale is designed to let you run non-Unicode applications on your computer.
With this, you can have a workaround regarding limitations brought about by non-Unicode applications on a Unicode based OS.
Therefore, if you come across a non-Unicode application which you want to run on your Windows computer, you need to use AppLocale.
What is AppLocale?
AppLocale is a helpful free application by Microsoft that allows you to install “foreign” applications that support non-Unicode on your personal computer (PC).
It helps you identify and try to solve many problems in your personal computer. It requires some knowledge and experience that will enable you to install and use it.
According to Wikipedia:
AppLocale is a tool for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 by Microsoft. It is a launcher application that makes it possible to run non-Unicode (code page-based) applications in a locale of the user’s choice. Since changing the locale normally requires a restart of Windows, AppLocale is especially popular with western users of Asian applications. The program installs itself in a subfolder of the Windows directory called “AppPatch”, and when launched prompts the user for an executable to run and the desired codepage. It can also create a shortcut in the start menu, located under Microsoft AppLocale, however you will be prompted by AppLocale before the program’s launch.
It is basically a software used in operating systems produced by Microsoft as part of Windows NT and in a server operating system manufactured by Microsoft.
One good example is Windows 2003. It has a launcher application that makes it possible to run on a computer.
Locale files are stored in the locale folder and arranged in subfolders known for the language. For each language that you like to localize, you must create a default file and store it in locale folder. Nevertheless, you may encounter compatibility issues when using it on your computer.
Fortunately, there are some quick workarounds to this.
In addition, AppLocale will permit you to see a non-Unicode software in understandable characters and language.
For instance, if you wish to set up and run a software which is written in a non-Western language (Western language is Unicode utf-8 or utf-16) on your “English language” OS, you won’t be able to do it until you mount Microsoft AppLocale on your PC.
If you try to install it, you will get a message error stating that something’s wrong with the Windows installer package. Thus, you’ll be prompted to install a program to let it run.
How To Fix AppLocale Errors
It can be annoying if you use your computer and experience an error related to AppLocale.
This is often due to the fact that the User Account Control (UAC) was not available on your Windows OS when AppLocale was developed.
The good news is, you can still install this program without exposing your computer to malware threats and viruses.
Here are quick fixes that you can use:
1st Fix (Use An Elevated Command Prompt)
To successfully install AppLocale in your computer, you need to disable UAC first as suggested by a Microsoft Community user.
Keep in mind that this is only applicable for the Windows 7 OS. It is no longer run on the newer Windows versions. Here’s how:
- Click the Start menu and type “cmd”. Right click the Command Prompt icon and then select run as Administrator.
- If a prompt appears, simply click Yes.
- After that, download the AppLocale application for Windows 7 from Softpedia.
- Go to the directory where the apploc.msi is downloaded. However, you will have to use the change directory command to do so. For example, if your AppLocale file is located in your Downloads folder, you should type C:UserUser_NameDownloads/apploc.msi.
- To start the installation process, simply type apploc.msi then hit Enter.
Video Guide: How To Run A Command Prompt With Admin Privileges (Elevated Command Prompt)
2nd Fix (Disable the UAC)
This fix is designed to fix the error where you can’t install the AppLocale due to the User Account Control.
There are 2 different methods for doing so as outlined by Web Talk. Kindly follow the steps below:
- Go to your Control Panel by clicking Start and typing Control Panel.
- Head to User Accounts and Family Safety and choose User Account.
- When you see a slider, move it to the Never Notify setting.
- Click Ok then restart your computer to apply the changes.
Another method involves tweaking the registry. Here’s how:
- Press both the Windows key and R at the same time.
- In the Run window, type regedit and hit Enter.
- Once the Registry Editor window pops up, look for:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoft WindowsCurrentVersion PoliciesSystem
- On the right panel, look for EnableUA.
- Double click it and change the Value data to 0.
- Also, look for ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin and change its Value data to 0 if you want to disable the prompt dialog for the UAC consent.
- Restart your computer afterward.
Video Guide: How To Turn Off User Account Control (UAC) On Windows 10
3rd Fix (Use Compatibility Mode)
Since AppLocale has been removed in the newer Windows versions, it won’t be compatible with Windows 8 and 10. However, you can still run it via the compatibility mode. This guide by Laptop Mag will help you:
- Right click an application you want to right then choose Properties.
- Click the compatibility tab and then check the box which says “Run this program in compatibility mode for”. Choose your current OS version and click Apply.
- Click OK once you’re done and see if the program can now run properly.
Video Guide: How To Change Compatibility Mode Settings In Windows
4th Fix (Uninstall the Program)
If you think that you have no use for the AppLocale, especially if you’re running a Windows 8 or 10 version, you can simply uninstall it as suggested by Should I Remove It? Here are the steps to do so:
- Click Start menu and type Control Panel.
- In your Control Panel, go to Programs then Click Uninstall a Program for Windows 7 and 8 or Add or Remove Programs for Windows XP.
- Look for Microsoft AppLocale, click it, then Uninstall for Windows 7/8 or Remove or Change/Remove for Windows XP.
- Simply follow the uninstallation process and wait for the program to be completely removed from your computer.
- In some cases, you might be asked to restart your PC. If that’s the case, simply agree to apply the changes.
Forum Feedback
A computer owner explains that AppLocale is a Microsoft application, which allows you to run non-Unicode application in a locale of your choosing. However, it’s only available for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, so he doesn’t think that it’s going to work on new Window versions such as Windows 10. It might work in Windows 7, but he has never tried it. He only used it in Windows XP.
Another person states that you might try to install AppLocale in compatibility mode on Windows 10 or Windows 8, but he is not very optimistic that it’s going to work since the program is created to run on older version of the OS. He also warns that Microsoft doesn’t support it anymore, so you’ll have difficulties finding how to download AppLocale. He recommends that you find an alternative program to run non-Unicode programs and games.
A forum poster said that he had some games that required AppLocale to run and that he was searching for ways to download the program. However, it seemed like AppLocale was no longer available for download and that the link he found on Microsoft page was a dead one. The user tried a Google search, which was also unsuccessful. Since then he has been looking for other substitutes to AppLocale.
A computer user stated that he often had to run non-Unicode applications from other countries due to the nature of his work. He attempted to install AppLocale on his Windows 10 computer, but he was unsuccessful. Then he tried NTLEA to replace AppLocale, but it didn’t work at all even in compatibility mode. The user added that he would have to reinstall Windows 10 and go back to Windows 7 if he can’t find another suitable program to do the job.
A forum member observes that Microsoft no longer supports AppLocale, which is a shame, according to him because it’s a useful tool for those who still have access to it. He comments that you can try Locale Emulator as a substitute for AppLocale and NTLEA because it works in a similar fashion.
Another individual said that he tried to run some non-Unicode applications on Windows 10 and that the was very unpleasantly surprised to find out that AppLocale was not compatible with new Windows versions. He tried to run the program in compatibility mode, but he got an error saying that the installing process can’t be completed.
A computer user mentioned that he searched extensively for sites to download AppLocale but the only ones he found looked too suspicious for his liking. He warns that the only safe place to get the AppLocale is the official Microsoft page, but as other posters have said, it’s no longer available. He advises that you stay away from other sites because they are probably full of malware and viruses. He says that he solved his problem by changing the system locale. You can do that by going to Control panel àDate and time àLocale and choosing the region you want. The only downside of this is that you’ll have to do it every time you have to switch between regions.
Another poster commented that AppLocale stopped working after he upgraded his Windows to Windows 10 and that he was not happy that he couldn’t reinstall it anew. The user mentioned that he liked Windows 10 features and wouldn’t go back to previous versions, but he would have preferred if he could keep AppLocale because he needed it for work, and it was easy to use.
A Reddit user stated that he used to work with AppLocale on his old computer and that it functioned smoothly and without problems. However, once he updated to Windows 10, he was forced to look for other sources to run non-Unicode programs. He said that you could download Locate-Emulator if you want something similar.
Another Reddit commentator was also wondering what had happened to AppLocale and why Microsoft had decided to stop maintaining it. He added that it was a wonderful program and that it would be more difficult for him to use Asian content on his laptop.
To understand AppLocale and its functions better, we also search through several tech forums to see what people think about it. Generally, they were looking for AppLocale Windows 10 and Windows 7, AppLocale download, AppLocale alternative and a solution to the message “There is a problem with this Windows installer package.”
Forum URL References
https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoft/comments/4d527h/what_happened_to_microsoft_applocale/
Conclusion
With the AppLocale installed, you won’t have any trouble running non-Unicode programs on your Windows computer. Additionally, you’ll be able to run older programs on newer Windows versions via compatibility mode.
Installing and uninstalling AppLocale can be done quickly and easily by following the said fixes. However, if none of the fixes works for you, then you should update your system. The last option you should do (which you hopefully won’t have to) is to install a fresh copy of your preferred Windows OS version.
