sims 4 not properly downloading to external hard drive, only opens new game

@AmJane21  It sounds like OneDrive might be the problem here, or at least the first problem to address.  Just to make sure, please list the full file path to Documents on your computer.  Search in Windows for "command prompt, open it," and enter this command:

reg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders" /v "Personal"

Please post the result.

I am having the same exact issue. In response to the Command Promt directions, my results it “C:\Users\Kasmyn>” 

What do I need to do to change this, so my Sims 4 will read my ext hard drive folder? 

@kakzxmaksm  Because the secondary drive is external, you don't want to move Documents to that drive.  (Windows won't react well if the drive is ever disconnected and the system needs to access Documents.)  Instead, create a symbolic link to point Sims 4 to the user folder on your external drive.  Here's how:

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

Please make sure that the user folder is NOT combined with the game's program files.  If you've already installed Sims 4 on the external drive, create a separate folder into which your user folder will go.

So I followed those steps and the power shell keeps saying “Cannot create a file when that file already exist.” I may have messed something up. When I open the game, I still don’t see my saves. It seems like my laptop is still reading the new sims 4 folder that it keeps creating, instead of the sims 4 folder on my hard drive that has all my saves. 

I do thank you for all your help and patience. 🤍

@kakzxmaksm  What that error means is that there is already a file or folder with the same name in the location where you're trying to create the symbolic link.  In this case, there's an Electronic Arts folder in Documents.  You need to remove or rename this folder and then create the symlink before opening the game again.

Okay so I have successfully created the symbolic link after renaming the folders. I can see the file path is reading my ext drive. However, it still keeps creating a new EA folder everytime I open the game.  

@kakzxmaksm  Please right-click the new Electronic Arts folder and select Properties > General, then list the Location.  Please also list the exact symlink command you used.

C:\Users\Kasmy/Documents is the new folder location. 

The symbolic link used is MKLINK /J “C:Users\Kasmy\Documents\EA desktop\ TS4 desktops” “D: Electronic Arts\ The sims 4”

I had to rename the folder i was creating the sym link for because i kept receiving the error. But, the first file path is the new folder is created when I start the game.

@kakzxmaksm  The problem is you've created a symlink with a name Sims 4 doesn't recognize and won't use.  The symlink name must match the name of the folder you've moved, or else you're not accomplishing anything.

Here are two possible commands you could use, depending on whether you want the Electronic Arts folder moved to the external drive or just the Sims 4 folder:

MKLINK /J “%UserProfile%\Documents\Electronic Arts” “E:\Electronic Arts”

MKLINK /J “%UserProfile%\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4” “D:\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4”

You can of course substitute C:\Users\Kasmy\ where you see %UserProfile% if you prefer.  For either command, you will need to first remove or rename the folder that already has the name of the symlink you're creating.  So that means the Electronic Arts folder inside Documents if you use the first command, and the Sims 4 folder inside Electronic Arts for the second command.

The game is creating a new Electronic Arts folder because one doesn't exist.  This is normal.  When the symlink is there, the game will use that instead.