Different Sims 4 files
Due to the latest update there was no storage left in my computer so I decided to move the Electronic Arts file to an HDD. After i moved the file the sims 4 re-downloaded but the files are all messed...
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Hello! I am having the same issue and have been trying to find out how to solve it for days now. The issue is that the game cannot see the old save files and mods (along with other saved content) that I have transferred over from my old computer, using an external drive. I don't want my game on my C Drive, I am trying to install it on my D: Drive. For some reason when I download the game on the NEW computer, the only files I see are (Data, Detal, Game, _Installer, support, bin, and I think all of my DLC files). Even though I copied over all of my saves and mods, I have nowhere to put them since the only folders are the ones previously mentioned. All of the advice I am finding is outdated, and I don't have access to the Origin app anymore so I don't believe I can fix it that way. No matter how many times I reinstall this game it keeps showing me these folders. Also when I install the game on the new computer I cannot find the .exe file that opens the game. How should I fix it? Thank you for your help.
@Caramelyn You've installed Sims 4 on D: that's what the Data, Delta, and pack folders are. The Sims 4 user folder is always going to be in Documents > Electronic Arts. If the game doesn't see that folder, it'll create a new one.
The way around this is by creating a symbolic link, which is the same advice as before and applies equally well now. It's independent of the Origin/EA App transition.
When creating the symlink, please do NOT direct the game to look in the Sims 4 folder that contains the game's program files. Create a separate folder on D, for example D:\Data or D:\EA, and put the Sims 4 user folder you want the game reading inside that.
- @puzzlezaddict thank you so much for the advice, what if I don't want to move the entire documents folder?
Ok! I figured it out somehow. Just you telling me where the documents were stored was very helpful. The game downloaded where I needed it too and now the correct folders are in my electronic arts folder where they needed to be. Thank you so much for your help and the quick response 🙂
@puzzlezaddictHello, i have gone through the steps including finding my user path. When i get to the step in making a symbolic link where i have to type the command in, it says “The system cannot find the path specified” and ive spent an hour trying to figure out why it says this. I’ve also tried creating a different folder in the external file to put the user file in as you recommended in a previous post, but it still said the same thing. I’m going to attach a screenshot just in case ive messed something up in the command? If you could let me know what might be wrong it would be helpful, thanks!
@CutiecatPuffydog What is the path where the Sims 4 user folder would be, and what is the path to the folder you want the game to read? The first is the path you see in-game, and the second is whatever is on your external drive. Please list both; you can write [username] instead of your actual username if you want.
The Sim's user data files being in the Documents folder is the most asinine thing I've ever heard of. Free OneDrive accounts (which a lot of people use) on Windows 11 forces the Documents folder to be synced with the cloud. The free OneDrive tier maxes out at 5gb, so it doesn't take long for the Sims to max out the OneDrive storage.
My Niece came to me and was asking why her OneDrive wasn't syncing any more. I finally figured out that this is why. So, I figured, ok, I'll just configure the Sims user data folder to be where I wanted it to be. But no, we're SOL.
Storing user data (especially data that can be many gigs) in Documents by default a terrible idea, not allowing it to be configured by the user is ridiculous. Unbelievable.
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