*Updated: May 2020*As time has gone on, MrsFlynn and I have accumulated a ton of content from The Sims 3 Store. Over time, we came up with some simple steps to backup and restore our store content without needing to re-download everything each time. Here's what you do:
How-to: Backup Store content1. Create a new Sims 3 folder.
The easiest way to do this is to go into your C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\ folder and rename your existing The Sims 3 folder to something like The Sims 3 (Current)
2. Open the Sims 3 Launcher. This will create a new The Sims 3 folder with no store content in it. Don't launch the game.
3. Downloading store content. You can do this one of two ways. - By logging into the Sims 3 Store, or or use the in-game Downloads Dashboard.
** Notes:
If logging into the Sims 3 Store -
http://store.thesims3.com/ It will take you to the ea.com signin page, [https://signin.ea.com/] - This is okay. It will refer back to the store after signing in.)
If logging in via the Launcher to the Downloads Dashboard - it may take awhile for it to load, as the launcher is sometimes finicky.
More information on How to Download Store Items
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=20732.msg437664.html#post_dlitemsRegardless of which way you download the store content, it's suggested to download it in groups, like worlds or sets or only handful of files at a time. This will download the files into your new The Sims 3 folder, into the Downloads folder.
Once everything is downloaded (this can take some time depending on the amount of stuff/Internet speed) close out of the launcher.
4. Backup your Sims 3 folder - (As this has all the store content downloaded to your Downloads folder.)
-- > Look in: \Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Downloads to find a list of .Sims3Pack files
*Tip: Backup just the Downloads folder if you prefer.
*Note:* The "Downloads" folder simply contains the Sims3Pack files *prior* to install. A good reason to back it up is so if it's needed again, you can pick and choose what store items you want to install. **
5. Install the Store Content - Open the launcher again, click the downloads tab in the launcher, click Select All and Install.
*Optional* After all the store content is installed, make another backup of the folder. As not only does it have all the store content downloaded, it's installed ready to play!!
** Notes:
We suggest to zip the folders up for safe keeping. It takes up less space on the backup drive. How to do that: Right-click on the Sims 3 folder, and select Send To: (name of file.zip)
Once the file is zipped, you can rename it to say Sims3-May2020.zip and copy it to your backup media of choice and use it any time you want a fresh Sims 3 folder or need to restore your store content. *Smile*
How To: Restore Store Content -- Tip: Rename your current folder, if you have one to say Sims3-bkup1
1. To restore your new Sims 3 folder, with all store content installed, copy it to: \Documents\Electronic Arts folder.
2. Unzip the Sims 3 folder. - To Unzip: Right-click on the file and select Extract here.
-- To Unzip: Right-click on the file and select Extract here.
How To: Zip and unzip files
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14200/windows-compress-uncompress-zip-files*** Now, all your store content is back in a fresh The Sims 3 folder, ready to play!! *** Wha-hoo!!!
Let us know if you have any questions, and happy Simming!
Flynn & MrsFlynn
