Sims 3 - Where do I install a custom world?

[MrsFlynn]

✽ ~ Updated Mar.2023✽ -- Edited the .world install path.

This is a general how-to for installing custom world files -

Using this custom world as an example:

Town: Simburbia ~ All EPs
Page Link: https://modthesims.info/d/588036
Download Link: http://simfileshare.net/download/491913/
File Type: .Sims3Pack

1.) Download all the zipped (.rar or .zip) files for the world into a folder on your desktop. -- Use 7-zip to extract .rar files.
2.) Once all files are downloaded, rename files if necessary. (so they unzip correctly)
3.) Right-click on the first file and select Extract Here from the menu.
 -- The files may be in one of the different formats - .Sims3Pack ; .package file or .World
   ✽ If looking for more specific installation instructions please check the description tab (if downloading from MTS) or visit the creator's site.

     – To install the .Sims3pack, just double-click it or right-click -> Open With Sims 3 Launcher.

     – To install the .world, cut/paste it from where you extracted it, usually into:

Default Installation Path: - May be different, depending on where game is installed.

    – C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 3\GameData\Shared\NonPackaged\Worlds. -- Origin version

    – C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Sims 3\GameData\Shared\NonPackaged\Worlds -- Steam

    – C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\GameData\Shared\NonPackaged\Worlds -- Disc Version

   ✽✽ If in package format, you may need to rename the package file to give it the .world extension. So it will look something like CustomWorld.world

To do that, locate the largest size package (there may only be one), rename it to CustomWorld.world
       
This is easier if you choose View > Details and then Sort > Size

Copy the CustomWorld.world file to: (My disc install was put in a user made folder, that's why it's different that the default install.)
C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\GameData\Shared\NonPackaged\Worlds

Example screenshot - click to see larger view


 – You will see SunsetValley.world in the same folder.
 – Copy the Lot package files to your Library folder. -- \Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Library
 – Copy the remaining .package files to your Mods\Packages folder. You can make a new sub-folder for these files inside the Package folder. -- \Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages
 – Run the game to test. Quit without saving if all is good.
 – Replace CustomWorld with the name of your Custom World.

See this article from SimsWiki for more details. -- Near the bottom of the page.


✦ If looking to install a fixed world file, please see the post linked below:

Re: How to install a fixed world
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=28546.msg466584#msg466584

For .Sims3Package files, copy/paste the file into your Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Downloads folder.

   ----

Reference Links:

Installing Worlds Without the Sims 3 Launcher (near bottom of page)
https://simswiki.info/wiki.php%3Ftitle=Game_Help:TS3_Installing_Worlds_Without_The_Launcher

If you want to learn more about installing .package files, see link below:
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Sims_3:Installing_Package_Files

If you want to learn more about installing .Sims3Pack files, see link below:
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Installing_TS3_Packs

How To: Zip and unzip files
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14200/windows-compress-uncompress-zip-files