@diopter77 Patterns are launcher-installed content and are stored in bundles inside Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 > Downloads. Saved sims are stored in the SavedSims folder, and saved households and builds inside Library. So it wouldn't be surprising for one type of content to disappear while another does not.
Please post a screenshot of the contents of this Downloads folder, as in, I'd like to see the files themselves.
Please also post a screenshot of the contents of the Sims 3 user folder. I'm not completely sure what you're describing, so a visual would help.
