Re: How do I transfer Sims 3&4 files to a new computer?

Is it only the ones in Documents that I need to copy over. Or are there others?

Just the ones in Documents, those are your user files for each game. The stuff in other places is put there during install or automatically when you run the game.

Thanks a bunch! Once I figured out where all my saved files where on my backup, I was able to transfer everything over. :D

I transferred the files, I put the save folders from my old computer in the new save folder. But I can't access them in game. I tried removing the files themselves, and putting them in the new save folder by themselves, and that didn't work either.

@LBonne24

Are you sure that you added the save files to C:\Users\yourname\Documents\Electronic Arts\ Sims (3 of 4)?

I did, I added the ones from the save folders under Sims 3 and Sims 4

@LBonne24

I am not sure why your game is not picking up the save files then. Bad news: we are unable to restore lost save files for you ☹️

I will move this thread to the Sims 4 forums for you - perhaps some of our regular Sims players have more insight into this for you.

Make sure you run the game at least once before copying over the data. 

You can either overwrite of copy the files the over. 

If you want to read more about back ups:
http://sims4.crinrict.com/en/2014/09/backups/
http://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2011/03/faq-what-files-should-i-backup.html

Do I need to bring the saved outfits over too? Should I just copy the whole Sims 3 folder and put it in the new saves folder?

You can choose to copy whatever you want, the links describe the files and what they are, so if you feel you need them copy them.

The files need to be the same, old computers: 'Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4' is 'Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4' on the new computer.

So if you put The Sims 3 folder (Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3) over to the new computer it needs to be 'Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3'.

And not 'Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Saves'. Make sure if you copy the entire 'The Sims 3' folder over you overwrite the newer one, or if you want to keep the newer folder to rename that.

For the folder (all you saves etc) you want to use the names and folders should be on the same location as it was on your old computer.

The game doesn't recognize the folder if it's not on the right location or has the wrong name.