Re: can't download the sims 4, stuck on "preparing".

@pippyjohnjonesI've been trying to download it for 2 days. Base game and 41 add ons. Prepares for a couple minutes then errors. I have tried everything. I've tried emailing EA and keep getting the same responses for 4 different people everytime while including this:
"This is only an issue when trying to download The Sims 4. At this point i have tried:

- Clearing cache
- Uninstall/Reinstall
- Run as Administrator
- Run in compatibility mode
- Changing UAC
- Not creating a desktop shortcut (as suggested by reddit)
- Changing security permissions to full control
- Enabling and Disabling "allow background downloads" & "update games automatically"
- Limiting download speed
- Allowing exclusions through windows defender
- Adjusting Services properties
- Making sure the files where im installing are not Read-Only
- Removing every file associated with The Sims 4
- perform a clean boot
- Add exceptions to AV & Firewall

I am running a fresh install of Windows 11 23H2 Downloaded from Microsoft's website. I have debloated the OS myself to reduce the size and get better performance in my games. EA App is installed on a new 500GB m.2 SSD which only has my OS on and I'm trying to install my games to a 1TB HDD which has 350GB free space. FIFA & Battlefield start downloading perfectly fine which leads me to believe that this isn't an issue on my end. I had Sims 4 installed previously on a 1TB Samsung SSD which I had to delete because the EA App wouldn't pick up the game files on my system and now I simply can't redownload the game or the 41 addons I have."

I don't know what more I can possibly add to not get a response of "clear cache and run as administrator"

It wouldn't be so bad if they were like " oh yeah, our servers are a bit stressed rn try again in a few days" but I can download other games fine. Only sims errors.