How To Install The Sims 4 In A New Computer?

Good luck with that. I have the disk version and just updated my whole pc - so I tried to install it using the disk but when it got to asking the code - I put it in and it said that code was already used. It gave me no choice but click on the one in my library at origin that then installed the digital version. When they say that code is one time only - they mean one time period apparently.

Then once the game was installed and they update it - then you click on the info on the game and it opens up a panel with all the games made thus far for Sims 4 - if it has a plus on it - it means you have not bought that yet - don't click it or it will allow you to buy it - the ones you own already you click and it installs each one - it did not accept any other disk. I just went through this in the last 2 weeks.


I also have Sims 2 and Sims 3 and they installed the same exact way - and would not use the disks and code. It said I already owned those games and did I want to reinstall them from my library. I had no choice seeing it said my codes were used already. Origin turned all my Sims into digital.

Yes. I installed Origin first - i knew better than not do that.

Back at Christmas it worked as normal - so they changed things. But I can install from my library on other pcs but you have to put in the code before it will install - and the codes are now only put in the first time and stay forever apparently. But it refused my code saying it had been used already and that I already own that game to go to my library and install it.

But back at Christmas I had gotten a new drive to temp hold me over until i could rebuild my system - and had reinstalled all my games as i always had done. That no longer works like that now. They truly now make you games permanently associated with your account and the code that goes with them stays in your name. Just never lose your sign in or you will lose your games as the code will be on the original account.

"Writin_Reg;13851118" wrote:
Yes. I installed Origin first - i knew better than not do that.

just wanted to confirm :)

and were you logged in before installing. its possible this was also needed again just trying to figure out the steps since the disc is not a one time use item

Yes. I was logged in. No they have never been a one time item - i pre-ordered every one my disks as they came out (they were all the originals) - but now they are and they are also associated with just that one account period.

Like i said it was the way it had always been back right after Christmas - but apparently one of the Origin upgrades changes things - I will bet it is so they can never be sold and used by someone else.

"ceejay402;13851116" wrote:

"Writin_Reg;13851103" wrote:
Good luck with that. I have the disk version and just updated my whole pc - so I tried to install it using the disk but when it got to asking the code - I put it in and it said that code was already used. It gave me no choice but click on the one in my library at origin that then installed the digital version. When they say that code is one time only - they mean one time period apparently.

Then once the game was installed and they update it - then you click on the info on the game and it opens up a panel with all the games made thus far for Sims 4 - if it has a plus on it - it means you have not bought that yet - don't click it or it will allow you to buy it - the ones you own already you click and it installs each one - it did not accept any other disk. I just went through this in the last 2 weeks.


I also have Sims 2 and Sims 3 and they installed the same exact way - and would not use the disks and code. Origin turned all my Sims into digital.

did you have origin installed before adding the discs and were you logged in?

in theory the disc should work for more than one computer @marioXtremo if my guess doesnt help do contact customer service and ask them the official steps. Ea/origin can act like you need the digital file but the disc should work and it should work on more than one computer using the same origin acct. sorry i just dont have the ability to test it myself.

Yeah, I thought it was five computers... :/

Well, I'll see tomorrow, I'm about to go to sleep.

Thank you guys! :smile:

I can put my game on any number of pcs belonging to me I want - it says for my convenience - there is no limit that I can see - i just have to install it from my library apparently. It used to be up to 5 computers. Believe me, it was not like it is now, before. Christmas time i reinstalled everything using the disks - and code and everything - but no longer.


Makes me wonder if people who suddenly no longer have any internet if they can still install the Sims 3 - if it will take the code then. I mean it all plays fine and everything - but i have never not used my disks in Sims 3 to install before and now it won't let me. I wonder if someone totally disconnects from the net - maybe then they can use the disks - i am not sure though - seeing I just wanted all my games back in here and get it done with. I had to install everything - my operating system - everythig so by then I was just plumb tired of installing things to start trying to argue with chat over it all or fight my new pc. It has been a good long while since I was able to have a super computer - so i just wanted to get on with it. LOL.

Normally though i would have been raising Hades over things like that or looking into it - but i admit i just caved and did what they said i had to do to install and get it done with. LOL.

Awesome @JoxerTM22!!

And the only thing I would caution anyone doing is moving programming files. Corruption can happen if you don't do a clean install. If you are hard drive/ windows savvy then you don't need me to tell you the risk and you would know how to handle it :)

Step 2 would be the one I would encourage most players to try since it shouldn't have any potential for registry corruption

As for licenses I would need to track down what I learned at release heres what I can kinda recall: the disc for 4 has the same security/ authorization requirement unlike with 3 so if I'm recalling correctly its limitless like digital copy. Or maybe they have limited both but with a higher number then 5.

"Writin_Reg;13851103" wrote:
Good luck with that. I have the disk version and just updated my whole pc - so I tried to install it using the disk but when it got to asking the code - I put it in and it said that code was already used. It gave me no choice but click on the one in my library at origin that then installed the digital version. When they say that code is one time only - they mean one time period apparently.

Then once the game was installed and they update it - then you click on the info on the game and it opens up a panel with all the games made thus far for Sims 4 - if it has a plus on it - it means you have not bought that yet - don't click it or it will allow you to buy it - the ones you own already you click and it installs each one - it did not accept any other disk. I just went through this in the last 2 weeks.


I also have Sims 2 and Sims 3 and they installed the same exact way - and would not use the disks and code. It said I already owned those games and did I want to reinstall them from my library. I had no choice seeing it said my codes were used already. Origin turned all my Sims into digital.

Do you have Sims 2 Ultimate? If so, that was always digital. I have the Sims 2 Store Edition installed on my current computer, but on my next computer I'll just use the disks for Sims 2 since the registration for the disks is disabled anyway since it is such an old game and the game does not require registration or activation to play. Besides, the Sims 2 Store Edition has a problem when trying to play the fraternity in Sim State University - regardless of which main neighborhood this subneighborhood is in.

Sort of the same point well close. How can I play sims4 with no internet connection so no origin??? My disk drive doesn't work either so I can't put my disk in.

Activate and play isn't that the same thing????
yesterday our internet went off and I couldn't remember how to play with no net and no disk?? I know my game is in my computer but how do I find it and turn it on????