How to fix DW8 javascript error on startup

I had the misfortune to experience the following error in Dreamweaver 8 the other day and was tearing my hair out (metaphorically) for a while. Luckily there’s an easy fix for this error.

The error

The following JavaScript error(s) occurred:
At line 56 of file "D:\Program Files\Macromedia\Dreamweaver 8\Configuration\Shared\Common\Scripts\dwscriptsExtData.js":
ReferenceError: dwscripts is not defined

The solution

Find the The WinFileCache*.dat file which you will see in your DW8 configuration folder. Use the path below to guide you to this folder (this file may be hidden so if this is the case you will have to click Tools > folder options in explorer and check view hidden files and folders)>

C:\Documents and Settings\REPLACEWITHYOURUSERNAME\Application Data\Macromedia\Dreamweaver 8\Configuration

Simply delete the WinFileCache*.dat file, restart Dreamweaver and it will be recreated. Personally I’d make sure you backup the Configuration folder below you delete anything but this simple fix should do the trick.