[Info.] Transfer Sims 3 Game Saves or Sims 3 Folder to Another Computer

[MrsFlynn]

Transfer Sims 3 Game Saves or Sims 3 Folder to Another Computer

Easiest way to copy or transfer Sims 3 game files, (like saved games, mods, screenshots, etc.) is to save the whole Sims 3 folder to a usb thumb drive. - This way everything is saved and backed up. Plus it's easier to copy the whole folder at once.

How to Copy -
Right-click on the Sims 3 folder, select Copy and paste it to your USB drive.


Quick Links Index:

 – How-To: Save The Sims 3 Folder
 – How-To: Breaking It Down by Specific Files/Folders
 – Notes On Backing up the Sims 3 Folder

Note: This thread has been locked as it's for informational purposes.  If you have questions, please feel free to create a new topic, here.

    ✽ - Looking to transfer Sims 4 Games over to your new computer? Click here for a how-to on that!!

[MrsFlynn]

How-To: Save The Sims 3 Folder

This part explains how to back the folder up, copy it to backup media of choice, like a usb thumb drive and move it to another computer.

1. Copy the Sims 3 folder to a usb drive or backup media of choice.
C:\Users\<Username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3

-- Rename it for best results - example: TheSims3Backup

2. Take it to your new computer and copy/paste it into your Electronic Arts folder:
C:\Users\<Username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\

It should then look like this:
C:\Users\<Username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\TheSims3Backup

3. If you want the backup folder to be your main folder, rename your current Sims 3 folder to Sims3C or something like that, and rename the backup folder to The Sims 3, to look like this:
C:\Users\<Username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3

[MrsFlynn]

How-To: Breaking It Down by Specific Files/Folders

I would recommend doing this after you have your Sims 3 folder safely backed up.

If you need/want to break it down even further than that. You just save the following folders and files:

 -- 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.

Folders: -

- DCBackup - for this file = ccmerged.package - Files related to the installed .Sims3Pack files.
- DCCache - Contains all installed Custom Content/Exchange/Store items that you installed through the Launcher.
- Downloads  - Items to be installed
- Exports - Files you export from the Game via CAS or Edit Town and will have and will be in .Sims3Pack format.
- Installed Worlds - Custom or Store Towns you have installed.
- Library - Sims and lots that you've installed.
- Mods - Mods and custom content
- Recorded Videos - Videos taken in-game using the V key.
- SavedSims - Saved Sims that are in the SimBin
- Saves - Game Saves - Each folder within the Saves folder is a single saved game.
- Screenshots - Photos taken in-game using the C key.
- WorldCaches - Cache files for your installed custom and Store towns.

Files: -

Options.ini - Game and Graphics Options
userPresets.package - Saved colors, patterns and textures

The other files and folders not mentioned here will auto-regenerate.

  ----

  ✽ Important Note: ✽

** If you're having issues with some store or custom content not working correctly. Leave out your DCCache folder and reinstall both your store and custom content. So that the game can create new files for this content in the DCCache folder.

If you don't, you may run into the same issue of the store or custom content not working. Due to the files not being refreshed.

If having problems with custom content and mods in .package file format, see the troubleshooting tips post linked below:

Sims 3 - How-To: Fix Problems with Mods/CC
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=31759.msg506010#msg506010

Create a New Game (How-To)
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=20732.msg401813#msg401813

Sims 3 Factory Reset (What & Howto) - Aka Create a new Sims 3 Folder
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=20732.msg401814#msg401814

[MrsFlynn]

Notes on Backing Up the Sims 3 Folder

** Do not copy your Sims 3 folder that came from the documents folder [C:\Users\<Username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3] into where you installed Sims 3. [C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\The Sims 3] **

This will cause a mess and make it to where the game needs to be fully reinstalled.

The post linked below talks about where to find your game install files as well as where to find your user files. They are both installed in different areas of your hard drive. If the user files get mixed up with the install files it will cause problems and the game will need to be reinstalled.

My Sims User Folder or Install Files are Missing?
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=29315.msg431335#msg431335

The game will not recognize any game saves or anything from the folder, if you have a Sims 3 folder within your current Sims 3 folder.

What I am talking about is this - here's an example:
C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\The Sims 3 -- The game cannot recognize this.