@labellasunshine I'm not sure the solution is the same in Windows 8.1 as it is in 10, but you can try it anyway. Hit Windows key-R and enter "services.msc" without quotes. Scroll through the list to where Origin Client Service and Origin Web Helper Service are listed, and for each one, double-click, select "Disabled" under Startup type, and click Apply. Then restart your computer and try downloading again.
Okay I just got back online and attempted to launch The Sims 3, the game launcher loaded but it won't install my downloads. I don't know if it's game based or not...should I see if the other games I have installed launch?
@labellasunshine Do you mean your packs or your store content downloads? For packs, you might need to manually start the downloads from Origin. Click on the Sims 3 icon in your Origin library, then More > Expansion Packs (or Stuff Packs, and click Download on any pack you own that's not installed. If you get an error, let me know what it says.
For the store stuff, try moving the Downloads folder (inside Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3) to your desktop, open the launcher to create a new Downloads folder, download one store item that you haven't installed yet, and see whether you can install it.
