Forum Discussion

TomieeimoT's avatar
TomieeimoT
3 years ago
Solved

Origin keeps forcing me to download EA app

I genuinely don't trust EA app, but I never have the option to click it off. I just wanted to play Sims 4 but it still gives me the same pop up every time I open Origin. I want it to go away. Is ther...
bug
mac
pc
  • kaistyle2's avatar
    kaistyle2
    3 years ago

    If you follow the instructions on this page you can remove the popup:

    https://answers.ea.com/t5/Origin-Client-Web-Technical/Why-am-I-getting-forced-to-install-EA-App/m-p/... 

    As for the being forced to the EA app, EA decided to force over all those in Windows to use that app. There have been people who have issues with it (especially trying to play Sims 4 offline be it from EA or on Steam), but you should be able to keep playing it after applying the "fix". If it still forces you to install the EA app, then you should be able to reinstall Origins after, then apply the fix again and run it with Origins.

salimnur12's avatar
salimnur12
3 years ago

After update today, this already not work, have other metode?

Mardoin69's avatar
Mardoin69
3 years ago

Yeah...they pushed / forced another update on us. So, you need to go delete some files now to keep Origin working. I'll post the whole solution but, if you already followed my old post and chose to stay in 'Offline' mode when launching Origin today.... you can skip down to the section where I start.... 'New step due to EA......'

The update to the EA client is problematic for a lot of people for a bunch of their games. Solution is to re-install the Origin client and apply a fix to it. After having installed the EA client, it uninstalls the original Origin client. But, you can get the last good working Origin client FULL installer on TechSpot...which is a RELIABLE source guaranteed no virus or adware or modification to EA's file and even has the checksum posted for comparison so you know you get a good download...and It's the ONLY 'trustworthy' site I know of to get it...

https://www.techspot.com/downloads/5783-origin.html

Keep the EA client app as it's needed for verification in some games. But, you'll want to change some of it's settings. Disable 'start with Windows. Change game install directory to the Origin clients game install directory... \Orign Games. Link steam if you have games bought through Steam for EA/Origin client. Restart PC after all this so all these changes are saved in Windows Registry.

Now install the Origin client, DO NOT log in....it'll remain in OFFLINE mode..and uncheck the settings for automatic updates. Close out Origin client. Run task manager and kill the Origin web helper service.....it keeps running in background for some stupid reason. Now open file explorer and change view settings to 'show hidden system files and folders.'

In the C: drive, you should now see a folder called "Program Data." Open it and go to the Origin folder.......

Stop origin client loading EA app message;

1. Open C:\ProgramData\Origin\local.xml in notepad
2. Add new key there:

<Setting key="MigrationDisabled" type="1" value="true" />

This should go at bottom just ABOVE the last line which is "</Settings>."
Save the file and exit.

New step due to EA's attempt to keep us from using the Origin client again.......

**Delete the files called "OriginThinSetupInternal.exe" which are located at (up to) THREE LOCATIONS...(so far)...

C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin
C:\ProgramData\Origin
C:\ProgramData\Origin\SelfUpdate\Staged

Start Origin and log into your Origin account.
There may be a little update notification about Origin. Always choose option to NOT update Origin. Should set that in settings also.

***
Congrats...you should be able to play your games properly now.

If a game is not working correctly, click it in Origin client library, click the gear icon and select 'Repair.' If it still doesn't seem to work, try uninstalling and re-installing.

If it's a game bought through steam, you'll install it using steam. Then launch Origin client, select that game in the library.... it'll show a 'download' button still. Click it, Origin will find the steam install and change the button to 'Play.' Always play your games using the Origin Client and the 'play' button for that game in the Origin client library. Some games will work properly using the desktop shortcut but, others will try an launch the EA client.....which we know can be problematic for some games. Still, some games maybe throw errors if you don't have the EA client background task running so, for those, run the EA client, minimize it, then use the Origin client to launch the game.

  • momochi79's avatar
    momochi79
    3 years ago
    @Mardoin69 How do you not log in to switch off the update settings you have to At least I do.
    • Mardoin69's avatar
      Mardoin69
      3 years ago

      @momochi79 

      Yes, you will need to log into Origin at some point. Initially though, you can do the setup (which you should be able to disable the auto update option during setup) and add the line of code along with deleting those OriginThinSetupInternal.exe's while being in offline mode. After you do login....it'll try an push the update at which point you'll need to close it out, double check the 'local.xml' to be sure code line still correct and maybe delete those exe's again. Then re-launch Origin. And, with them continually pushing these updates.....we'll need to keep canceling out of them and repeating the process.

      • edvmal's avatar
        edvmal
        3 years ago

        So I tried the steps you described earlier in the thread, and kept the Origin app offline to play the game. It wanted me to update the game before playing. There was a pop-up where I had to set the country, and there was no way of working around that. When I played the game, it seems like it doesn't recognize that I have some exteinsion packs installed. Inside the Origin app they are shown as installed, but they don't show up in the game. Do you know what's happening? And is it ok to update the game, just not the Origin app itself?

        Also, I'm studing computer engineering, so I'm happy if you want to explain things in a more technical manner (but not too technical lol) so I can learn a bit from this 🙂

  • mr_fox_rox's avatar
    mr_fox_rox
    3 years ago
    @Mardoin69 wrote:
    Spoiler

    Yeah...they pushed / forced another update on us. So, you need to go delete some files now to keep Origin working. I'll post the whole solution but, if you already followed my old post and chose to stay in 'Offline' mode when launching Origin today.... you can skip down to the section where I start.... 'New step due to EA......'

    The update to the EA client is problematic for a lot of people for a bunch of their games. Solution is to re-install the Origin client and apply a fix to it. After having installed the EA client, it uninstalls the original Origin client. But, you can get the last good working Origin client FULL installer on TechSpot...which is a RELIABLE source guaranteed no virus or adware or modification to EA's file and even has the checksum posted for comparison so you know you get a good download...and It's the ONLY 'trustworthy' site I know of to get it...

    https://www.techspot.com/downloads/5783-origin.html

    Keep the EA client app as it's needed for verification in some games. But, you'll want to change some of it's settings. Disable 'start with Windows. Change game install directory to the Origin clients game install directory... \Orign Games. Link steam if you have games bought through Steam for EA/Origin client. Restart PC after all this so all these changes are saved in Windows Registry.

    Now install the Origin client, DO NOT log in....it'll remain in OFFLINE mode..and uncheck the settings for automatic updates. Close out Origin client. Run task manager and kill the Origin web helper service.....it keeps running in background for some stupid reason. Now open file explorer and change view settings to 'show hidden system files and folders.'

    In the C: drive, you should now see a folder called "Program Data." Open it and go to the Origin folder.......

    Stop origin client loading EA app message;

    1. Open C:\ProgramData\Origin\local.xml in notepad
    2. Add new key there:

    <Setting key="MigrationDisabled" type="1" value="true" />

    This should go at bottom just ABOVE the last line which is "</Settings>."
    Save the file and exit.

    New step due to EA's attempt to keep us from using the Origin client again.......

    **Delete the files called "OriginThinSetupInternal.exe" which are located at (up to) THREE LOCATIONS...(so far)...

    C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin
    C:\ProgramData\Origin
    C:\ProgramData\Origin\SelfUpdate\Staged

    Start Origin and log into your Origin account.
    There may be a little update notification about Origin. Always choose option to NOT update Origin. Should set that in settings also.

    ***
    Congrats...you should be able to play your games properly now.

    If a game is not working correctly, click it in Origin client library, click the gear icon and select 'Repair.' If it still doesn't seem to work, try uninstalling and re-installing.

    If it's a game bought through steam, you'll install it using steam. Then launch Origin client, select that game in the library.... it'll show a 'download' button still. Click it, Origin will find the steam install and change the button to 'Play.' Always play your games using the Origin Client and the 'play' button for that game in the Origin client library. Some games will work properly using the desktop shortcut but, others will try an launch the EA client.....which we know can be problematic for some games. Still, some games maybe throw errors if you don't have the EA client background task running so, for those, run the EA client, minimize it, then use the Origin client to launch the game.

    Looks like they also planted a copy of the cancer file inside of the C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Origin\ThinSetup\10.5.119.52718

    I searched and found all copies for the offending file and discovered it lurking there, too. They're really pulling out all the stop to try to force everyone into using the new trash app.

    • dinthe11's avatar
      dinthe11
      Seasoned Traveler
      2 years ago

      Imaging trying to use force to get customers to do what you want them to, instead of being a normal * business and just allowing customers to do what they want with the things they buy.

      Imagine directly manipulating people's actions as a company.

  • mr_fox_rox's avatar
    mr_fox_rox
    3 years ago
    @Mardoin69 wrote:

    New step due to EA's attempt to keep us from using the Origin client again.......

    **Delete the files called "OriginThinSetupInternal.exe" which are located at (up to) THREE LOCATIONS...(so far)...

    C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin
    C:\ProgramData\Origin
    C:\ProgramData\Origin\SelfUpdate\Staged

    Start Origin and log into your Origin account.
    There may be a little update notification about Origin. Always choose option to NOT update Origin. Should set that in settings also.

    I found a copy of the offending file also lurking inside of the C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Origin\ThinSetup\10.5.119.52718 and deleted it there as well.

    • Paulica21's avatar
      Paulica21
      3 years ago

      still comming up with the ea thing
      my issue is my origin games are not showing up on my the ea launcher

    • ottakanawa's avatar
      ottakanawa
      3 years ago

      @mr_fox_rox @Mardoin69 could you please walk me through exactly what steps to take now to get rid of my EA app and get origin to work? The oldest listed method isn't working. I just want to play some dragon age inquisition ☹️

      • Mardoin69's avatar
        Mardoin69
        3 years ago

        @ottakanawa 

        So, the old link I had up in my step-by-step got updated to a newer client version. It's supposedly against some forum rule to post some kinds of links... blah, blah, blah. So, I can tell you there is a link on 'up to down' regarding the full client installer of Origin 10.5.x.x.x which should enable you to go through the steps I previously listed and get it working. Initially, you get the client installer (be sure it's the 228mb one and not a 24 mb one) and disconnect from internet while you install. While in the process of installing, choose option to NOT allow automatic updating. After it's done, you'll open that 'local.xml' file as described in my previous posts and insert 3 lines of code then save the file. These are the 3 lines;

        <Setting value="true" key="MigrationDisabled" type="1"/>
        <Setting key="AutoPatchGlobal" value="false" type="1"/>
        <Setting key="AutoUpdate" value="false" type="1"/>

        After that, you go through your system and delete those 'OriginThinSetupInternal.exe's. Then you can connect internet and launch Origin client. You'll get those prompts to update but, select NO / Cancel / close out of those. Double check the 'local.xml' file to be sure those values remain at 'false' and '1' as well as re-deleting those 'Internal.exe's again. You'll repeat this process till the Origin client stops prompting you to update to the EA client.

        Note** You can leave the EA client installed but, you should change it's settings so that it installs games in the same place you have Origin installing games.... the \Origin Games\ folder. That'll just simplify things for future use.

About EA app Technical Issues & Bugs

Having issues with the EA app? Join us to report bugs, and find help with downloads, DLCs, purchases, and login errors.7,360 PostsLatest Activity: 16 minutes ago