Sims 3 - How To: Create a New Sims 3 Folder - With Photos

[MrsFlynn]

Be aware this just shows creating a basic new Sims 3 folder. It will not have your Saves, SavedSims, Mods, Downloads, Library or Store items installed. You will need to copy those folders over to the new Sims 3 folder and reinstall your Store items and custom content that is in .Sims3pack format.

   ✽ It's highly recommended that if you're having issues with any store content, to reinstall them into your new Sims 3 folder so it can renew the cache files in the DCCache folder.

  – Download a new Sims 3 folder with mods folder included here, from SimFileShare.net

Showing my Electronic Arts folder, before any changes:



1. Rename your current Sims 3 folder (right-click the folder and select Rename.) For example Sims3-Current.

 

2. Open Origin go to your Game Library, double-click on Sims 3 and exit the game at Sims 3 Main Menu, or double-click on the Sims 3 launcher icon to open it and close it after it loads. -- This creates a new Sims 3 folder. 



3. To use this new folder copy the Options.ini file from your renamed (Current) folder to your new Sims 3 folder. So you have your graphics and game settings.

-- To do that, right-click on file, select Copy and paste it into your new Sims 3 folder.

 

** All your saves, mods/cc and Sims will be fine in your renamed Current folder. - The new Sims 3 folder is highlighted in Blue. To show that your Current folder is still there, it's highlighted in grey.



Both the Current folder and new Sims 3 folders are separate from each other. So anything you do in your new folder, won't affect files in your Current folder.

   -- To copy over the folders and files, right-click on one at a time and select copy and paste into your new Sims 3 folder.

   * For a list of files and folders to copy back, please see this post here

Note: This post has been locked as it's for informational purposes. If you have any questions, please feel free to create a New Topic in Sims 3 Tech Help.

[MrsFlynn]

I created this post as a companion to the How To Create a New Sims 3 Folder.

I was thinking there may be players who don't want to create their own new Sims 3 folder.  They would rather download one, if possible. So, I put together a new Sims 3 folder complete with a mods folder setup with an overrides and package folder with an updated Resource.cfg file. (There is No extra mods or custom content added)
-- Note: Package folder has 2 files in it. NoBuildSparkles.package and nointro.package.

 -- Click images to see larger view


Read this article from SimsWiki for more information on the Mods folder setup I used. 

   ✦ You can download the new Sims 3 folder here, from SimFileShare.net

   ✦ To Download just the mods folder, click here. Also from SimFileShare.net

How-to save the file:
Click on the file and select Save File. It's suggested to save to desktop and unzip it there.

How-to unzip the file:
1. Right-click and select All.
2. It will ask where to unzip the file and give a suggested place. (desktop).
3. Click Extract.

 -- Click images to see larger view





More information about zip files:
https://www.howtogeek.com/178146/htg-explains-everything-you-need-to-know-about-zipped-files/


To use the new Sims 3 folder

  1. Rename your original Sims 3 folder, so nothing gets overwritten. - Save files, mods, custom content will be safe.

To rename Right-click the Sims 3 folder and select Rename. Give it a name like old, for example.

  2. Double-click the resulting Sims 3 folder that was placed on your desktop from unzipping it and move it to your Electronic Arts folder.

To move the folder Right-click the Sims 3 folder and select Cut and then paste it into the Electronic Arts folder.
 -- \Documents\Electronic Arts

Once the old folder is renamed and the new one moved in, all should look something like this:

 -- Click images to see larger view


Then you're ready to copy back some folders and files to get your game back up and running.

See this post to see what files/folders to add back into your new Sims 3 folder.

Note: This post has been locked as it's for informational purposes. If you have any questions, please feel free to create a New Topic in Sims 3 Tech Help.