Origin says i need an activation code after reinstalling but i cant find it

Product: The Sims 4
Platform:PC
Which language are you playing the game in? English
How often does the bug occur? Every time (100%)
What is your current game version number? 1.1
What expansions, game packs, and stuff packs do you have installed? cats & dogs, Get to work, Island Living, Get famous, 4 Seasons, Discover University
Steps: How can we find the bug ourselves? Not sure you will. Try opening game?
What happens when the bug occurs? When i try to open the game (that i have had for over a year) after transferring it to external hard drive, it now tells me i need to activate the game on my ea account but i can't find activation code
What do you expect to see? the game to open
Have you installed any customization with the game, e.g. Custom Content or Mods? Not now. I've removed them.
Did this issue appear after a specific patch or change you made to your system? Yes
Please describe the patch or change you made. transferred game to external hard drive

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I was using a lot of mods before and it took up a lot of space on my pc so i got an external hard drive to move them and the game to. I've since factory reset my computer and updated to windows 11. just reinstalled origin and the sims 4 to the external hard drive (with no mods installed yet) and it is telling me i need to activate the game with my ea account. I can't find the email with the code (not sure if i deleted it or what happened but its been over a year that i've been playing it after i already activated it). But as far as i am aware i should not need to activate it again anyway once it has already been done once.

Is there something i can do to fix this?