[PC] How to Clean-uninstall Sims 4
The regular uninstall process leaves behind hidden files, and sometimes these files cause ongoing problems with the game. So it can be necessary to remove all associated data. This guide is only for Windows.
Introduction
jump to: How to Uninstall
jump to: Can't Uninstall
Uninstalling Sims 4 the normal way (through the EA App or Steam or Epic) removes the game's program files and some associated data, but not close to everything. So for certain types of game issues, or when the regular uninstall process has failed to address a problem, a clean uninstall is warranted.
There are several ways to perform a clean uninstall. This guide uses Revo Uninstaller, a free and reliable tool that removes a game and a number of hidden files at the same time. If you've already uninstalled Sims 4, you can use a tool like Piriform's CCleaner (the free version is fine) to search for and remove leftover files. I would NOT recommend removing these files manually, as you may miss some or accidentally delete data you wanted to preserve.
Since you're already installing Revo and uninstalling Sims 4, I suggest clean-uninstalling the EA App as well, for a fresh start.
Note: These instructions should work for many other games, but I haven't thoroughly tested anything aside from Sims 3 and 4. So while the process should be safe, I can't guarantee its success.
How to Uninstall
Download the free version of Revo Uninstaller (not the registry cleaner, you don't need a paid version, and the portable version is fine) from here:
Revo Uninstaller (download page)
Before proceeding, rename the Sims 4 folder in Documents\Electronic Arts to something that doesn't include the words "Sims 4." This will preserve your saves and other user data.
In case you install the full (not portable) version and need to find it later, the executable is RevoUnin.exe and installs to C:\Program Files\VS Revo Group\Revo Uninstaller by default.
Launch Revo, find Sims 4 on the list, right-click, and select Uninstall. Revo may list a couple other packs it finds and ask if you want to remove them as well. This is normal, and say yes. Note: The application size Revo lists is only for the base game, but all installed DLC (expansion/game/stuff packs/kits) will be removed as well. You may also want to uncheck the box to create a system restore point, especially if your computer is low on storage. You don't need this restore point for this particular purpose.
Revo will note that all add-ons will be removed; click Yes again. When the game is uninstalled, select Moderate under "scanning modes," and click Scan. If you already tried to clean-uninstall the game and it didn't work the first time, choose Advanced instead of Moderate.
When the scan is finished, you'll see a list of leftover registry entries. Click Select All and delete them. These will be recreated when you reinstall the game.
You'll now see a list of leftover files and folders. Click Select All again, but before clicking Delete, review the list for anything you might want to preserve. Anything in a ProgramData or AppData folder should be removed. When you're satisfied that you won't delete anything essential, click Delete, confirm the choice, and click Finish if the window is still open.
EA App
Since you've already installed Revo and are probably troubleshooting a technical issue, it would be best to uninstall the EA App as well.
As above, right-click its entry, select Uninstall, cancel the system restore point, and the EA App may open a window. Click Uninstall, then in the Revo window, click Moderate under Scanning modes, and Revo will present a list of registry entries. Click Select All, then Delete: you don't need or want to preserve these entries.
For the leftover files and folders, click Select All, review the list and deselect anything you'd like to keep (this is unlikely, but it's worth checking), click Delete, and you're done. Close Revo, and restart your computer.
Reinstalling
Download a fresh copy of the EA App installer from here:
Reinstall it, then Sims 4. If you play through Steam or Epic, that's fine, just install through that launcher instead. It is probably unnecessary to uninstall the Steam or Epic launcher, and for Steam at least, doing so could remove other Steam-installed games.
For troubleshooting purposes, I would strongly suggest installing to a new location in a different folder than where the game was previously installed. Do NOT install Sims 4 anywhere inside Documents or Downloads or on the Desktop. The folder you choose should be at least one level deep on the drive of your choice, for example D:\Games\The Sims 4, not simply D:\The Sims 4.
Launch the game once and make sure all your packs are loading properly. If they are, you can restore your saves, Tray files, mods and custom content, screenshots, and recorded videos (if you want to keep them) from the Sims 4 user folder you renamed before uninstalling the game. Move these files to the corresponding new folders within Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4, and you'll be able to pick up where you left off.
For further information on which files to restore, please see this guide, starting with step 9:
Can't Uninstall
If Revo Uninstaller does not find Sims 4 on the list of installed apps, look for a green plumbob logo: Revo may list the game under a different name. If you don't see that either, uninstall through the launcher you're using (EA App/Steam/Epic), reinstall the base game—no need to download all your packs—and try using Revo again.
If that doesn't work either, or you can't uninstall the game through the launcher of your choice, close the EA App and kill the EABackgroundService in the Task Manager's background processes list. Then delete the Sims 4 folder that contains the game's program files. Make sure you delete the correct folder. The program files folder contains subfolders like Data, Delta, and Game; the user folder contains subfolders like saves and Tray.
If the folder you're viewing has both types of subfolders, move the saves, Tray, and Mods (if you use mods or custom content) folders elsewhere, plus Screenshots and Recorded Videos if you care about those, then delete the Sims 4 folder.
Once you've deleted this folder, you can reinstall the base game and try to use Revo again. Or you can use a different tool, for example Piriform's CCleaner (the free version is fine), to search for and remove hidden files. Check the files and folders the tool finds to make sure it does NOT delete the Sims 4 user folder.
