Error: Access Is Denied

Sharkpup65​  Is the error cut off, or is this the entirety of the text?

Regardless, please uninstall the EA App, restart your computer, download a fresh copy of the App, install it, and let it load fully before you try to open Sims 4.  Let me know what happens.

That's the entirety of the error, under that is a button that says ok

Did what you said, gave me the same error

Do you happen to be using an antivirus software on your PC, you might have accidentally clicked on something that added The Sims 4 to the blocked apps list.

Sharkpup65​  What antivirus do you use?  If only Windows Defender, check Controlled Folder Access for any recent actions involving Sims 4.  This error isn't typical for an AV, but it's easy to check.

If that doesn't help, please create a new admin Windows account and try playing there.  Make it local, as in, don't link it to your Microsoft account or any email address.  You'll be able to at least try to launch the game without reinstalling anything.  Launch it through Steam if that's how you installed it.

I only use microsoft defender, i went through the list it allows and ths sims wasn't even there as an option to switch.

Did this and it gave me the same result. I checked the controlled folder and the sims didn't appear once. I went through the allowed apps list and the sims wasn't even there for me to toggle on

If it helps any, before this even happened, windows updated my laptop the night before

Sharkpup65​  Are you saying you created a new admin Windows account and got the same error when you tried to play there?  If so, try disabling Controlled Folder Access, at least temporarily.

Please also let me know whether Smart App Control is active, and if so, whether you're willing to disable it.  This feature caused issues with Sims 4 a few months ago, although the symptoms were different.

I created a separate, local admin account, and I got the same problem. Smart app control is already off. Controlled folder access is now off as well.