Sims 3 Factory Reset (What & Howto)

[MrsFlynn]

Sims 3 Factory Reset (What & Howto)

[This is different from a total-game reinstall - This sets the game back to when it was first installed with a fresh new Sims 3 folder.]

- How-To: Create a New Sims 3 Folder - With Photos
- Why Create a New Sims 3 Folder
- How-To: Sims 3 Factory Reset
- What to Do After a Factory Reset
- What Files/Folders to Add Back In
- Save Game Files for Backup
- Read more about a Factory Reset, From Crinrict
- Download a New Sims 3 Folder w/Mods Folder Included
- Sims 3 User Files Explained by Crinrict


Why Do a Sims 3 Factory Reset?

It's best to create a new Sims 3 folder when you're having issues with your game, like crashing, game lag, freezing, odd gameplay issues and other irritating game headaches. It not only gives you a fresh new folder to play the game in, it also helps with troubleshooting problems with mods and custom content.

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How-To: Sims 3 Factory Reset

Go into your Electronic Arts folder [\Documents\Electronic Arts] and move the Sims 3 folder to your desktop.

 -- To do this, Right-click the Sims 3 folder, select Cut and paste it to your desktop. Optionally, you can rename your Sims 3 folder to something like Sims3Backup. Right-click the file and select Rename.

What this does is it moves the folder out of the Electronic Arts folder to the desktop for backup purposes. The Sims 3 folder can be moved to a USB key or external hard drive if you prefer.

You won't loose any of your Sims 3 files, like saved games, mods, custom content Sims, lots or game options. It's all still there in the folder on your desktop or some where safe and can be found using this path, if saved to desktop. C:\Users\Username\Desktop \The Sims 3 -- Just don't delete it from the desktop until you're done testing.

To create a new folder, launch and exit the game.

    -- If you've got the Origin/EA App version:
   
Double-click on Sims 3 to launch the game and exit at Sims 3 Main Menu. This will create a new Sims 3 folder. Then copy back the folders and files described below in What to do after creating a new Sims 3 folder.
     
    -- If you have the Disc/Steam version > You can create a new Sims 3 folder one of two ways:

    1. Open the Sims 3 launcher, and then close it again.

    2. Double-click on Sims 3 Icon. This will create a new Sims 3 folder. Then exit the game.

Go to: ----> Documents > Electronic Arts > Sims 3 to confirm you've got a new Sims 3 folder.

*Note:  When you move or rename the Sims 3 folder, the game will no longer be able to find it. When you go to play the game it will create a new folder.

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What to Do After a Factory Reset

If you're not having problems with your game, and you just wanted to create a new Sims 3 folder to start fresh, go ahead and start copying back the folders and files mentioned below in what folders/files to add back in.

However, if you're having issues with your game. Start a new save to test. Do not add any other folders or files. Other than your options.ini file - This is your game and video settings.

Does it load and play okay? Yes, then try your broken save-game again to see what happens. If you're still having problems with it do not save it.

If you find that the save does work okay, copy in the Mods/CC and other files/folders into the new Sims 3 folder. (See below for more information) Use Save As to save it with a different name.

** 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

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What Files/Folders to Add Back In

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

   ✽✽  If having a problem with .Sims3Pack files staying installed, it's recommended to reinstall these files for best results.

Folders: -

- DC Backup - for this file = ccmerged.package.
- DCCache - Contains all installed Custom Content/Exchange/Store items that you installed through the Launcher.
- Downloads  - .Sims3Pack files to be installed.
- Exports - .Sims3Pack Files you export from the game via CAS or Edit Town.
- Installed Worlds - Custom or Store Towns you have installed.
- Library - Sims and lots that you've installed or saved.
- 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.
- 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

If you would like to learn more about Sims 3 user files, please see the article on ModtheSims:
Game Help:TS3 User Folders Explained: https://modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_User_Folders_Explained

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The screenshots can be found by using this path:
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Screenshots

The videos can be found by using this path:
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Recorded Videos

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Created: Jan. 2015
Updated: May. 2023