The Sims (2000) on Windows 10

@danielr02 , ok sounds like you'll need to reinstall the game. You may need a workaround as sometimes Windows isn't particularly helpful. Here are instructions on how to reinstall and make sure the game installs properly this time. Also make sure there are no residual The Sims left before reinstalling.

Please also make sure that if you have any saved games (usually found in the Documents folder) to move that folder to your Desktop for safekeeping so you can add them back in.

1) Insert your The Sims CD/DVD into your disk drive and open up your local hard drive.

2) Go to File, New Folder. Create a new folder and name this folder "Disk Images."

3) Go into the "Disk Images" folder and create another folder called "Disk1." If you're installing a version of The Sims or an expansion pack with multiple disks, create folders for each disk. Label them "Disk2," "Disk3" and "Disk4." *Note* It's important you do not put a space in between "Disk" and the number you use.

4) Open up "My Computer" and select your Sims CD. If the autorun comes up, cancel it as well as the installation.

5) Right-click The Sims CD. Click "Explore."

6) Click on the "Edit" tab at the top of the window and choose "Select All." You can also press CTRL+A.

7) Click on the "Edit" tab again and select "Copy." CTRL+C also works.

8) Head into your "Disk1" folder. Go to the "Edit" tab and select "Paste." CTRL+V works as well. Continue until you've copied and pasted the information from all the disks into their appropriate folders.

9) Find the autorun file in the "Disk1" folder and double click it. This should install the game as normal. When you are finished, you can delete the "Disk Images" folder.

Tips

If you encounter any file transfer errors when copying and pasting, try cleaning your disk. If that fails, your disk is either scratched or corrupted.

It sounds like something either became corrupted or something "erased" the game which is weird. However, this should allow you to reinstall the game and be able to play again.