The Sims 3 Documents Folder Download

1. The Sims 3 Documents Folder Download

Hi there, community. I've been having this problem since I re-installed my copy of The Sims 3 this week. Before I un-installed a few months ago, I had Ambitions and Late Night installed and it worked fine.

I re-installed my game (just the base game), and when I try to open the launcher, I receieve an error that the launcher has stopped working before the window opens. I've tried to bypass this by opening the application directly, as I read on many help threads, but this only causes my screen to blink for a moment, with nothing else afterward. I re-installed twice, removed all my mods, and still no avail. All the help threads I've read on the issue seem to point to either deleting or fixing something in the Sims 3 folder in My Documents.

However, I do not see a The Sims 3 folder in My Documents. I'm running Windows 7 (x64 bit), and have searched all over for this folder, and do not find it anywhere. When I install the game, the proper folder shows up in my Program Files(x86), but I definitely don't have the folder in My Documents that I seem to need. I've downloaded Origin, but it hasn't updated anything to my knowledge. I've tried to manually download and install the latest patch, but it has an error/interruption every time. I know that I'm not being super helpful, since I don't know precisely the source of my error, but I know that the game worked fine several months ago, but I haven't been able to run it once since I re-installed.

Any and all tips, suggestions, or help are greatly appreciated! EDIT/UPDATE as of 11/21: I've tried everything that has been posted so far. I uninstalled using the detailed guide that involved deleting my Program Files and those in the regedit. I cleaned my registries and (I think) completely removed The Sims 3 from my computer. I reinstalled both from the disc, and from Origin, with the result of an error when trying to open the launcher.

I believe that the Sims 3 folder in My Documents doesn't generate till you actually start the game. Since you haven't been able to get the game to load, I would guess that's why the folder isn't showing up.

Where were your mods installed? Was there a Sims 3 folder in My Documents before you uninstalled and reinstalled? Which file were you using when you tried to open the application directly? If I remember correctly, I had a folder for my Packages in the My Documents folder, as well as my Program Files.

I also had lots of downloaded content (the kind that appears in the launcher) in a folder in My Documents. I finally had a back-up of my packages, downloads, and saves in a separate folder in My Documents. When I first re-installed and it didn't work, I uninstalled. Noticing that my The Sims 3 folder was still in My Documents and wanting a 'clean re-install,' I deleted the folder and my Program Files (x86). Could this have been the vital mistake, even though it didn't work before I did this?

I moved the backup of my mods onto a flash drive in case those were causing a problem, so now I have literally no remaining Sims 3 related documents at all. Oh, and when I tried to bypass the launcher and open the game directly when i re-installed most recently, I did so from my Program Files (x86).

If I remember correctly, I had a folder for my Packages in the My Documents folder, as well as my Program Files. I also had lots of downloaded content (the kind that appears in the launcher) in a folder in My Documents. I finally had a back-up of my packages, downloads, and saves in a separate folder in My Documents. When I first re-installed and it didn't work, I uninstalled. Noticing that my The Sims 3 folder was still in My Documents and wanting a 'clean re-install,' I deleted the folder and my Program Files (x86).

Could this have been the vital mistake, even though it didn't work before I did this? I moved the backup of my mods onto a flash drive in case those were causing a problem, so now I have literally no remaining Sims 3 related documents at all. Oh, and when I tried to bypass the launcher and open the game directly when i re-installed most recently, I did so from my Program Files (x86) Its okay and often helpful to delete the folder in My Documents but you should never mess with the one in Program Files. That's probably the cause of your problems. Here's what I would do: do a manual uninstall of the base game and whatever EPs & SPs you have. There are links to the instructions for each game here: Make sure you follow each step carefully.

After that, you should clean your registry. I recommend a program called CCleaner- its free and safe because it backs up your registry before making any changes. You can download CCleaner here: Then you can start reinstalling your games. I would probably download the manual super patcher from here: After you install the base game, run the manual super patcher.

Then install the rest of your games. Its a lot of steps but I think it will work!

Its okay and often helpful to delete the folder in My Documents but you should never mess with the one in Program Files. That's probably the cause of your problems. Here's what I would do: do a manual uninstall of the base game and whatever EPs & SPs you have. There are links to the instructions for each game here: Make sure you follow each step carefully.

After that, you should clean your registry. I recommend a program called CCleaner- its free and safe because it backs up your registry before making any changes. You can download CCleaner here: Then you can start reinstalling your games. I would probably download the manual super patcher from here: After you install the base game, run the manual super patcher. Then install the rest of your games. Its a lot of steps but I think it will work!

I completed every step listed here, and was very hopeful when I re-installed and mega-patched. However, when I went to bypass the launcher and directly run, I had the same problem of nothing happening. However, this time, when I opened the launcher, I got a different error. Normally, before the launcher would even open, a Windows dialog box would tell me that it had stopped. Now, the window of the launcher at least starts to load, and then a Sims 3 window pops up telling me that 'There was an error during startup. See the log for more details.'

If I knew where the log was, I'd be happy to tell you those details! It got a little closer to starting this time, but I still don't have a My Documents folder, and still don't know what I'm doing wrong. Maybe this will help: We all want to play and we don't want to spend our time trouble shooting. Ever since I started following these procedures I have not had a failed patch, expansion or stuff pack installation. I do install from disc because I do not trust download installs. These instructions may work fine with downloads, but if anyone wants to update this guide with special instruction for those who download from Origin please do so.

This guide is written for Windows and I have used it successfully in Windows XP, Windows 7 and now Windows 8 Pro. My current game is patched to 1.42 and I have all expansions and stuff packs. My game is running fine.

Mac users will need to modify these instructions for their machines. I invite any corrections or comments to make this guide easier and better.

A great many of the problems arise from not knowing the basics of how the Sims 3 works and the player failing to follow some VERY simple procedures. If your game is having trouble try the simple troubleshooting step at item 16. NECESSARY BACKGROUND 1. WHAT YOU CAN’T MESS WITH. The first thing to know is that when you install the Sims 3 it installs to C: program files (x86) Electronic Arts The Sims 3 (any expansion packs are also installed here). Take a minute and use Windows (file) explorer and navigate to the Electronic Arts folder.

These are all the installed game files. YOU SHOULD NEVER MESS WITH THESE FILES. These are the files modified whenever you apply a patch or install an expansion or stuff pack. If you do mess with these file you run the risk of rendering your game unplayable and requiring you to uninstall and reinstall your game. If you have everything as I do this can consume hours of your time. I speak from sad experience.

A word to the wise: Don’t mess with these files!!! WHAT YOU CAN MESS WITH. Now navigate to (My) Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3. This folder and its contents are generated from the installed game files and your user input. This is where your saved games, saved Sims, collections, custom content to include downloads, mods and other user data is stored. If you delete this file a clean one will be regenerated from the game files.

Let me say this again, if the Sims 3 cannot find (My) Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 it will regenerate a new and pristine The Sims 3 file. This is useful to know for troubleshooting.

You cannot mess up your installation by changing anything in this folder. You can lose your settings and saved games etc., but you cannot disable your game. At worst you will have to start with brand new folder. Take some time to explore this folder and see what is stored there.

All your store items, for example, go into the downloads folder. Any Mods go into the Mods folder (which you must manually create by the way). If anything is going to cause a patch, expansion or stuff pack to fail to install properly it is this folder. If you play the game you modify the files in this folder, if you buy items from the store you modify the files in this folder, if you look at your computer screen you modify the files in this folder (ok, I exaggerated this last part). If, for some reason, you want to see that your installed games are working correctly simply rename The Sims 3 folder to The Sims 3 old and launch the game.

This simple thing will act as a complete uninstall and reinstall. The difference is that this takes 5 seconds and the other takes 5 hours. To repeat: If you think that you need to do an uninstall and reinstall, DON’T.

Simply move or rename the Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 folder. Unless you have messed with the files in Program Files (WHICH YOU SHOULD NEVER DO) a new The Sims 3 folder will be generated and the game will behave as if it were installed for the very first time.

With this understanding in mind, how should you install a new patch, expansion or stuff pack? BASIC PROCEEDURE TO INSTALL A PATCH, EXPANSION OR STUFF PACK Always do the following (write this down and tape it to your computer somewhere): 4. Open the launcher and go to Game Updates. That’s the last button on the launcher dialog box. You will see a check box labeled Automatic Updates. Uncheck that box.

You will be notified when there is an update. When an update is released you will get a notification and an option to apply the update. When you see that notification DON’T do the update/patch yet, go to the next step. Update Origin. Either launch Origin and allow it to automatically update or go here- and manually update it. Once it is updated go to the next step. Decide if you want to apply the incremental patch or Super Patch.

If for some reason (you didn’t follow these instructions, for example) you tried an incremental patch and it failed you will need to apply the super patch. The reason is that a failed incremental patch may overwrite only some of the game files in Program Files (those files you are not supposed to mess with) corrupting your installation. The Super Patch will force an overwrite of all the files and (hopefully) correct the failed incrimental patch installation. You can get the super patch here- It’s stickied in the Sims 3 web site in Forums-General Discussion-Technical Discussions as the very first item.

The Sims 3 Documents Folder Download

THIS STEP IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL!!!! IF YOU OMIT THIS STEP YOUR PATCH OR INSTALLATION MAY FAIL!!!! If you want to argue this point you can stop reading here and do whatever you want. Otherwise: Go to Documents Electronic Arts The Sims 3 folder (hereafter The Sims 3) and rename it The Sims 3 old.

NOTE: You can choose to move it to your desk or anywhere else you want, but renaming it accomplishes the same thing, so I rename. NOTE: I had a question as to why this step is necessary. It’s because if you are going to corrupt your game this is where you are going to do it. This is where you will get 'the sims 3 is corrupt or not properly installed.'

Error message if the patch or installation program finds a file it does not like. Users do all sorts of things in this folder. Don’t assume that because you absolutely know that you don’t have CC or mods you don’t need to do this. How often have I heard variations of: A. I forgot about that.

But that mods always worked before. How did that get into my downloads file? We want a clean and trouble free install so we want to eliminate this as a variable. Plus it only takes 5 seconds so why not do it?

Once Origin has updated its time to install the patch go back to the Launcher and select the box to download the incremental patch. If you want to install the Super Patch and you haven’t already downloaded it do that now. The incremental patch should download and install without any problem. If you have downloaded the super patch you can install it now. As part of its installation the patch will look for The Sims 3 folder in Documents Electronic Arts but it won’t find it because you have renamed it. It won’t crash on any bad mod or corrupted file in that folder.

As far as it is concerned the old folder is not there and it will create a new The Sims 3 folder. Once the patch has installed, launch the game. It will be pristine and should play. Of course it won’t have your downloads, mods or any user files, but that’s OK. At least you know that you still have a good patch installation. Exit the game. Now install the expansion or stuff pack.

Test it to make sure it works. Play a test game. Create Sims and do anything else you want to test the installation. So now we have a good installation and we know that the game is working properly.

It’s now time to put The Sims 3 old folder back. Before you do anything else update all your mods. I don’t care if the mod has always worked. Patches, expansions and stuff packs can change core code, so always expect to update your mods. Do this even if you have the latest patch.

The expansion or stuff pack may have changed some more code and the mods may need to be updated again. Delete The Sims 3 folder and rename The Sims 3 old folder to The Sims 3. That is, delete the word “old”.

Launch the game. It should work. If it doesn’t then that means that you still have a bad file or files in The Sims 3 folder that you will have to troubleshoot, but you know that your installation is OK and that the game works. If you are having trouble with your game, always rename The Sims 3 to The Sims 3 old then launch the game and test it. This simple procedure restores the game to new and insures that there is nothing that you have done that is causing the game trouble. The launcher won't open when there is an operating system problem - did you uninstall anything else or delete anything else? If the launcher detects bad or corrupt user files it won't open.

You need to rename the Electronic Arts folder or move it somewhere like the desktop. The uninstall wizard does not remove registry entries (like most uninstalls). This is common. To do a reinstall of TS3 you need to clean out all the junk to do a clean install. When I most recently re-installed, upon uninstalling, I literally eliminated ALL The Sims 3 components from my computer (I think).

I deleted the Program Files, I removed the registries, I cleaned the registries, and made it so The Sims 3 had never been on my computer. I just recently re-installed from the disc, downloaded the super patch manually, downloaded and updated Origin, and still get the error that 'There Was an Error During Startup.' Anything anyone else can offer would still be very helpful! Is there any possibility that the problem is being caused by a faulty disc? Because if I completely uninstalled EVERYTHING and repaired my registries several times, I don't see any reason why it still shouldn't work, other than a problem with the CD itself, unless that would cause a problem during installation that would warn me. If you think that might be the problem uninstall everything again.

And install origin. If your games are legit it will have your game there for you to download and install from origin.

This process will not need your disk at all. Thank you for the continued support, however, now I seem to have done something else wrong. After my last super-clean uninstall, I find that when re-installing, there's a problem.

The installer runs properly, but much faster than I think it should. It takes about 15 seconds to install everything (sketchy), and when I try to run The Sims 3 from the icon, it tells me that no such application exists. When looking in the Program Files, I find that there is, in fact, no TheSims3.exe or anything of the sort. I've reinstalled from the disc and origin and now have this problem. If there's any more help to be had, I appreciate it, but now I'm thinking I'll just give up and revert to The Sims 2:?

MTS2 Staff Reply. Sims 3 - Game Problems Please go through this FAQ and follow the instructions, doing each step in order and not skipping anything:. wiki Most issues with the game can be resolved by following those steps. Did you guys do that basic troubleshooting? It's been stated that you need to start Launcher (or the game) at least once for the User folders to appear. Have you done this? Once you do step#3 and redo the Mods setup, can cc show up now?

Wiki Please start your own Help thread; and let the dead rest in peace, shall we.