Sims 2 Windows 11?

@JungerKrankl First of all, I recommend that you check if all patches have been installed properly. Base Game, every Expansion Pack and Family Fun Stuff Pack each have their own patch, but they are not all included on the disks; SimsVIP and Mod the Sims have all of them.

1. Base Game, University and Nightlife patches are especially problematic because they crash during installation, without an error message. So you should run each patch at least twice, and the second time it should tell you that The Sims 2 is already up to date. If the same patch keeps reinstalling itself every time, you got a problem. Mod the Sims has a program called GrumpyLoader which you can use to install those patches any bypass the errors, then run them normally and check that they don't install over and over again.

2. I am not sure if you have installed all packs already, but if you haven't, you might get a "This app has been blocked for your protection" or a similar error when you try to install FreeTime and newer packs. I have been able to get around that error by changing the system time back to 2010, so try that if you get the error.

3. Once everything is successfully installed, you will need Graphics Rules Maker to fix compatibility and increase texture memory and resolution. The Auto Detect option included is good enough, but do not let it disable Sim shadows as there is a mod that can fix them instead, created by Nopke on Mod the Sims. Also, if you have both integrated and dedicated graphics, you will need to go to your graphics settings in your system settings and make sure that the game (with the executable for the latest pack) is running on dedicated graphics; it will not do that by default.

4. If your game starts running out of memory (the highest it can go by default is 2GB), then you will need the 4GB Patch. Once you download it, move the executable for the latest pack (if you have everything, then it's Sims2EP9.exe for Mansion & Garden Stuff) to your desktop, run the patch and apply it to that exe. Then move it back to TSBin.

Hopefully the installation goes well. If you need any help, feel free to ask. Good luck!

Hi there!

Could anyone help me here? I am trying to install The Sims 2 Double Deluxe and The Sims 2 Pets Expansion Pack on my Windows 11 computer, but I am experiencing issues with both. The Double Deluxe is ONE disc, and I already have the base game installed and it works correctly. The Sims 2 Pets will not install at ALL, but the computer recognizes the files.

When I start the Double Deluxe, a message pops up telling me to insert Disc 1; however, when I do that and click OK, it just keeps popping up over and over again, and I can't move on.

I know I'm late with this, but my computer is a very new one. 12th Gen-Intel Processor.

@datboilizzy That's weird. So it only has one disc? Do you have university or nightlife installed? Those have a disc 1 and disc 2, and if your game boots with either of those packs as the main, that might be your issue. But I don't see why it wouldn't just tell you that you're trying to boot the game from the wrong version. The only other thing I can think of is that it wants the blue disc 1 from the base game box that comes with 4 separate discs. But again, I don't understand why it wouldn't tell you if you're trying to boot it from the wrong version. Is the disc damaged in anyway

No, I do not have University or Nightlife installed. The disc isn't damaged in any way, either. I just recently purchased it through Amazon, so it's brand-new. Like, the Pets disc doesn't even start; no error message, nothing. The computer tower responds when I insert it in, but then it stops. Do you think my computer just isn't compatible with it? I have already tried inserting Disc 1 from the base game box, but when I click the OK button to proceed, it doesn't continue.

@datboilizzy the issue you're having with the pets disk may be that your computer is blocking it from running but it isn't telling you. I have that issue with installing particular packs. I think your computer is compatible, but windows operating systems can be very annoying and block things without even telling you.

After inserting the pets disk, open task manager and find "Run new task." It will bring up a box where you can browse for the program. Find autorun.exe within the disk data and chose that. Then make sure you click "Create this task with administrative privileges."

That will force the .exe to run. My windows blocks M&G stuff, free time, ikea stuff, and K&B stuff. So this method is how I installed them, and how I launch my game through M&G stuff.

Do you get the "insert disc 1" whilst trying to launch the game or when trying to install something? Or both?

Sims 2 is a really awkward game to install on newer operating systems and with newer graphics, but it's definitely possible.

I had to search up double deluxe because I wasn't sure what it included. It includes nightlife and when I search the pictures, I can only see ones with two disks. A green and a blue. I'm a bit concerned you may have been sold an incomplete set as you state you only have one disk. I did find one picture of a double deluxe with actually one disk. It has the box art on the disk, correct? Also I found your other post where you were asking for help. When trying to install double deluxe have you ever tried inserting the base game disk (not from double deluxe)

Thanks for replying. So, I get the Disc 1 message when I am trying to install an expansion pack. That's it. Yes, the Double Deluxe disc has the box art printed on it; you may be right that I have been sold an incomplete set since I only got one disc, PLUS the Pets one. When installing the DD disc, YES, I have already tried inserting the base game Disc 1 in the drive; it just won't let me continue for some reason. It recognizes the files, it just won't start which is strange.

I am short on money right now, so I probably won't be able to get the other DD disc for at least another month. As I told you before, I already have the base game installed, and it works normally.

Thank you for the instructions regarding the Pets disc, I will try it out.

Also, I believe I have the blue DD disc, and not the green one.

@datboilizzy I did have a whole lot more written but whilst writing what I was originally saying, I checked the wiki for sims 2 double deluxe and it states that "sims 2 must be uninstalled before installing the sims 2 double deluxe" if you already have the base game installed.

So there is your issue. You need to uninstall the sims 2 because that and the sims 2 double deluxe counteract each other. So make a backup of your saves, uninstall any dlc and the base game, and then reinstall the game using double deluxe.

I did have a bit written about the discs but long story short I think you have all you need. the dd disc with the box art on it is what you need. the 2nd disc is a bonus cd which gives you gameplay tips. so I wouldn't worry about scrambling to find one.

With the other pets and seasons etc, if you realise your computer is silently blocking things, make a note of which packs it effects for future reinstallations.

I've had to make a note of which packs cause me issues when installing/playing, so I know to force start them through task manager.

OK, thanks again for the confirmation. But do you know exactly how to uninstall The Sims 2, because I do already have a saved game? And also, do you know how to back up your saved game? I'm not very skilled with that kind of stuff.

@datboilizzy so on every disc for every sims 2 game there should be a file called something like eauninstall.exe. You can run that, with task manager if needed, and it will uninstall the relevant pack/game. Or, if you don't need to use task manager you can find and uninstall the packs by finding them in your apps/programs list.

Before you do that, you should move your Neighbourhoods folder (Documents > ea games > the sims 2 > Neighbourhoods) to somewhere on your desktop or any place that isn't related to the game. If you use cc, also move that folder out somewhere safe. Some expansion packs may change the way saves are configured ingame so you must move them somewhere safe to avoid them getting wiped. Do the same with your cc and any other folders where you have actively added something, like a custom song or a custom movie.

Once you've done that, uninstall the dlc and then the base game. Then start again by installing the game through the dd disc. And then your dlc packs.

The game can be a little picky when loading up for the first time, so load it without copying back any of your data. If it loads fine, then you can quit the game and get to moving your files. I'd advice keeping a backup of everything you've moved out. You can replace the default Neighbourhoods by copying your Neighbourhood files into the folder (N001, N002, etc etc) along with anything else in their correct folders.

Make sure you keep a backup. I've had an issue in the past where the game just reset my Neighbourhoods on the first launch and I had moved them back without a copy. The loss wasn't much as I'd only just started playing a default neighbourhood that came with seasons. But it was frustrating regardless. So please ensure you have a backup of Neighbourhoods/downloads etc.

@datboilizzy Hey did you manage to successfully get your sims working? Is all good? Or have you not managed to get around to it?