Cannot download nor install Sims 3 Store content

Question

I have been working on this issue for about 2 years now. My previous thread on AHQ is gone now that AHQ is gone, so I am starting a new thread here.

I am running Windows 11 on a gaming PC. I have not been able to get Sims 3 working since I transferred it over from my old Windows 7 PC 2 years ago. The problem has been the store content that I purchased. It does not recognize any of the worlds, lots, or objects that I purchased. I have worked on this in bursts between playing Sims 4, basically until I get so thoroughly aggravated that I quit. But now I am trying again as all of the recent Sims 1 and 2 game-play has made me nostalgic.

Here is what I have done.

I started fresh by completely uninstalling my Sims 3 games. Then I went and reinstalled all of the games and DLC. I did this over a couple of weeks so I would only download one or two dlc at a time. When I checked my launcher after moving my download file folder back in, I kept getting error messages when I tried to install. The first screenshot is of the error I was getting at this point.
I did a factory reset. I followed the instructions from https://forums.ea.com/discussions/the-sims-3-technical-issues-en/faq-the-sims-3-store/8157313 and https://forums.ea.com/discussions/the-sims-3-technical-issues-en/faq-troubleshooting-steps/8067175.

[FAQ] The Sims 3 Store | EA Forums - 8157313 [FAQ] Troubleshooting Steps | EA Forums - 8067175

The problem I am having is that when I hit download in my purchase history, the EA app starts and the Sims 3 launcher starts. However, I get the pop-up to sign in but it will not accept my password. I type the password, hit ok, the pop up disappears and then reappears. If I cancel it all out, nothing happens regarding the download. I tried opening the launcher first and signing in. Then I went back to the store and hit download. Even though the launcher shows me a signed in, I kept getting the pop up to sign in. You can see this in the second screenshot that I attached. I am using Firefox and have cleared my cache repeatedly between steps. I have been looking through all of the old posts regarding store content, and have tried everything I can think of.

I tried moving the downloaded store files from my backup into the corresponding folders that were just created but they are not getting recognized. So I went back to trying to download fresh again, but it will not download anything because I get stuck in the log-in pop-up loop in the launcher.

I would really appreciate some advice/help on this. Thank you in advance.

puzzlezaddict · Answer

irishdragon7 Please try downloading your Store content in a new admin Windows account.&nbsp; Make it local, as in, don't link it to your Microsoft account or any email address.&nbsp; You'll be able to open the launcher and sign in without reinstalling anything.
Try one Store item at a time, and let me know whether some items work at first, or you have the issue with the first item you try.

irishdragon7 · Answer

Thank you for the reply. I have been able to download the store content by using your suggestion. Although, my computer added another EA folder, but I can move that. My question is if I should install the Sims 3 store content including worlds before I move the folder to where it is supposed to be, or after? I do not want to undo any progress I have made.&nbsp;

puzzlezaddict · Answer

irishdragon7&nbsp; I would suggest installing everything while in the new Windows account, a few items at a time to make sure the content doesn't break.&nbsp; Then move the folder to where you want it to be and add your saves and other user data to that.
I would also suggest keeping a backup copy of your folder with only the Store content present, so you can restore it later if your main user folder breaks.

irishdragon7 · Answer

Thank you so&nbsp; much. I am working on things slowly. I am still occasionally getting multiple downloads of the same item even though I only hit download once, but I delete the duplicates. I also noticed that I can only download about 3 or 4 items in a row before the launcher freezes. I'm not sure if that is because I am running a 64-bit computer. Anyway, it is going slow, but I am making forward progress. I really appreciate your help and advice!!!!

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Cannot download nor install Sims 3 Store content

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