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TacticianRT's avatar
3 years ago

EA Sims 4 files stored on C drive

Okay, I've seen a lot of answers to this question but none seem to directly address the issue I'm having. I'm not very tech savvy and this is my first time encountering any issues like this.

I downloaded the sims 4 through its port on Steam. This means I have 2 separate folders on my computer holding my game. The EA folder in my documents and the steam games folder on my hard-drive. 

I use CC (custom content) and have come to the realization that I've got no room. The reason being that I have to store my cc in the Mods folder in my EA folder, which is on my computer rather than my 1T hard-drive. I want to be able to move the EA (launcher or game files) to my drive with my CC still being active. Is this possible? I'm not too worried about my saves or anything as I mostly just build characters.

I, have the Sims 4 already downloaded and would prefer to not have to re-download it. If that's what it takes, oh well. But I'd still rather not have to.

Thank you and bare with me. I might need some simpler language to understand.

5 Replies

  • @TacticianRT  Yes, you can store your custom content and other user files on your secondary drive, but you'll need to tell the game where to look for that data.  You don't need to uninstall and reinstall Sims 4, and in fact that wouldn't help here.  Instead, create a symbolic link, as described in this guide:

    https://crinrict.com/blog/2020/02/moving-windows-documents-folder-to-external-drive-via-symbolic-link.html

    If you're stuck at any point in the process, just describe what you're trying to do and what you don't understand or isn't working.  It would also help if I knew the exact file path to the new folder you're trying to create and what's already there, so please include that as well.

  • TacticianRT's avatar
    TacticianRT
    3 years ago

    That link was super helpful!!! My partner was able to figure it out from there! Thank you so much!! It's created the shortcut for it and the space is nice and clear! Thank you so much for your help.

  • TacticianRT's avatar
    TacticianRT
    3 years ago

    Wow okay, very convenient timing. My link isn't working now. 

    I'm using MKLINK /J “%UserProfile%\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4” “G:\The Sims 4”

    G being my folder name. Its coming up with this (see attatched).
    I followed that link to the T and it worked once but not now. CMD is administrator, my text file is in my EA folder etc. 

    Is this something foreign or am I doing something wrong. I'll attach some more images.

    Super sorry this seemed fixed!

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    3 years ago

    @TacticianRT  I don't see any issue in your screenshots.  To be thorough, are you sure the drive was plugged in and recognized when you tried to create the symlink?  Were you signed into the same user account as before?  Did you restart your computer and try again?  Sometimes that's all it takes to fix a problem.

    If none of that helps, try using the exact file path rather than %userprofile% in the command.  So you'd write out C:\Users\[your username]\Documents etc. for the file path.

  • roberta591's avatar
    roberta591
    Hero (Retired)
    3 years ago

    @TacticianRT   My guess is that %UserProfile% is a system environment variable that is maybe created by the game installer. That variable is probably set to C:\Users\(user name) when it is created - that is what mine is set to. Not knowing who created it or why my advise is to leave it alone except to read it. Create the symbolic link to the drive letter assigned to the destination device. rather then a variable. When creating the symbolic link the process creates an invisible file in the source folder. When that folder is accessed by the operating system it looks for this file. If it finds the file the operating system redirects the call. If the destination is a USB device the drive designation can (and sometime does) change depending on how it is loaded.  The fact that it worked once is an indication that variable may be used by something else also (quite possible). I don't use USB storage devices other then very temporary use. I have NAS  boxes for a more permanent solution. btw - There is a way to assign a permanent letter to a usb storage device.