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Ravewaker's avatar
Ravewaker
New Novice
24 days ago

Sims 4 mods folders changing to read only

The sims 4 mods folders in Windows 11 are changing to read only and will not load into game due to this. I have run through an extensive list of corrections with help of AI, used command console to over ride this but it happens no matter what correction is made. The mods are enabled to load into game options, but mod window is grayed out and no mods appear in the list. I've tried test mods in a small batch (approx 10 mods of hair) that worked fine before May '26 update. I've tried loading the mods from a desktop folder and also tried to load the folder from C drive (after using a command console prompt provided by AI) deleted cache files and used a reconfig (provided by AI) in the mod text file. I've also checked Windows defender settings to make sure the folders are not protected through the controlled folder access setting (it's set to off), allowed through all firewalls, AV and disabled ransomeware (as instructed by AI) also changed accounts in PC and run launch via admin, and tried launching directly through .exe. None of this solutions worked. Prior to this, all game worked fine with mods before May 2026 update and all these mods were dl'ed within one month ago. Game does launch correctly without mods.

cc or mods removed

4 Replies

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    18 days ago

    Ravewaker​  Sorry for the late reply.  Someone asked me to look at this thread, but I was out for a bit and have only now caught up.

    At any rate, if this is still an issue, please create a new admin Windows account and test there.  Make it local, as in, don't link it to your Microsoft account or any email address.  (You can keep declining until you get some security questions instead.)  Start the game without mods and see whether the Mods folder changes to read-only.  Then download a fresh copy of one custom content item (not a mod yet), something that's only a .package file, and test it.

  • Ravewaker's avatar
    Ravewaker
    New Novice
    16 days ago

    Thank you for the reply. I understand the suggestion, but I’ve already spent many hours doing deep troubleshooting (switching to local admin account, taking full ownership, disabling Controlled Folder Access + Ransomware Protection, moving the Mods folder to C:, using attrib commands, etc.). The folder continues to revert to read-only immediately after applying changes. This issue only started after the May 12, 2026 patch. Before that, everything worked fine. The mod window is also completely grayed out/empty even with correct resource.cfg and test .package files.If this is not a widespread issue yet, I can provide more details or screenshots if it helps the team investigate.

    Thanks.

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    16 days ago

    Ravewaker​  The thing about the read-only status is it doesn't always cause a problem by itself.  I've seen plenty of read-only folders be modified by games or other programs.  So while the behavior might be new, that doesn't mean it's definitely the cause of the problem.

    I'm still running Windows 10, so my system isn't a valid comparison.  But I do know that Smart App Control and Windows Defender's Controlled Folder Access have both caused lots of problems recently.  And I also know that what you've described isn't a widespread issue, or there would be a LOT more players up in arms about their mods and custom content not loading.  So it has to be something on your end, at least in part, whether the problem is in fact the read-only status or something else.

    You said you disabled Controlled Folder Access, but did you try a new Windows account and/or run the takeown command with CFA out of the way, so it couldn't reapply any settings?  And is Smart App Control running on your computer?

  • Ravewaker's avatar
    Ravewaker
    New Novice
    14 days ago

    Thank you for the follow-up.I understand you're suggesting it may be something on my end. However, this issue started immediately after the May 12, 2026 patch on a brand new Windows 11 PC where mods were working perfectly fine before the update. I have not made any major changes to my system.I have already:

    • Disabled Controlled Folder Access and Ransomware Protection
    • Taken full ownership of the folders
    • Used attrib commands
    • Moved the Mods folder to multiple locations (including C:)
    • Run the game as Administrator
    • Used a fresh .package file from popular creator (Trillyke)

    The Mods folder still reverts to read-only and the mod window remains completely grayed out/empty.If this is not yet a widespread issue, I’m happy to provide more information, but it does appear to be connected to the recent patch. Is there anything else on the development side that could be causing the game to stop reading .package files correctly?

    Thank you.

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