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Does Uninstalling The Sims 4 Delete Everything? A Sim Expert’s Guide

The short answer is: no, uninstalling The Sims 4 does not delete everything, but it can delete certain things if you’re not careful. Uninstalling the game through Origin or the EA app will remove the core game files, but your precious save data, custom content, and other user-generated files are typically stored separately. However, to ensure you don’t lose anything, it’s crucial to understand what gets deleted and how to properly back up your game. Let’s dive into the details, and by the time you finish reading, you’ll be a pro at managing your Sims 4 installation.

What Gets Removed During Uninstallation?

When you uninstall The Sims 4, the following happens:

The core game files are deleted from your hard drive. This includes the main game program, all its associated folders, and most of the installation files.
The game’s shortcut is removed from your desktop and start menu.
Registry entries related to the game are removed (on Windows PCs).

Essentially, it’s as if the game never existed on your computer, except for the user data, which is usually stored in a separate location.

What Typically Stays Behind?

This is the good news! By default, The Sims 4 keeps your personal data in a separate folder, meaning it usually doesn’t get wiped during uninstallation. This includes:

Save files: These contain all your played games, families, builds, and progress. They are usually located in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > saves.
Custom content (CC) and Mods: Any custom clothing, furniture, hair, or gameplay mods you have added to your game are usually kept in the Mods folder, found within Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4.
Tray files: These are your saved lots, houses, and Sims that you’ve saved to your library. The files are stored in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Tray.
Screenshots and Videos: Your in-game creations captured via screenshots or recorded videos are typically stored in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4.
Options.ini: This file saves your in-game settings and preferences, which you might want to keep for when you reinstall.

However, there’s always a risk. The location of these files might change due to cloud syncing services like OneDrive, or if you’ve manually changed the game’s default directory. That’s why a backup is always recommended.

The Golden Rule: Back Up Your Game!

Before you do anything, back up your Sims 4 folder. This is the most critical step to prevent data loss. Here’s how:

Locate your The Sims 4 folder: Navigate to Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4.
Copy the folder: Right-click on “The Sims 4” folder and select “Copy” (or Ctrl+C/Cmd+C).
Paste it to a safe location: Paste the folder (Right-click and select “Paste” or Ctrl+V/Cmd+V) to an external hard drive, a different partition on your computer, or a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Name it Appropriately: Name the folder something descriptive, like “Sims 4 Backup [Date]” so you can easily identify it later.

By doing this, you have a complete copy of your entire Sims 4 game state. If something goes wrong during the uninstallation, you can easily restore your game by copying the backup folder back into the Documents > Electronic Arts directory after reinstalling the game.

Uninstalling The Sims 4 Properly

Now that your data is backed up, you can proceed with uninstalling the game. Here’s how:

Through the EA App/Origin: Open the EA app or Origin client and log in with your account.
Find The Sims 4: Navigate to your Game Library.
Uninstall: Right-click on The Sims 4 tile and select “Uninstall.”
Follow Prompts: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

Reinstalling The Sims 4

Reinstalling is just as easy. Here’s a simplified step-by-step guide:

Install the EA App/Origin: Download and install the EA app or Origin client from the official website.
Log in: Log in with the EA account you used to purchase The Sims 4.
Find The Sims 4: Navigate to your Game Library.
Download: Click on The Sims 4 tile, and you should see a “Download” button. Click it.
Install: Follow the on-screen prompts to install the game.
Restore your Backup (if needed): Once the game is installed, close it completely. Then, copy the contents of your backed-up “The Sims 4” folder into the Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 folder, overwriting any newly created files. Launch the game, and everything should be back to normal.

FAQs: Addressing Common Concerns

Here are answers to common questions about uninstalling and reinstalling The Sims 4.

1. Do I have to pay again if I uninstall and reinstall The Sims 4?

No, you do not. Once you purchase a digital copy of The Sims 4 (or any of its packs) on your EA account, it’s yours. You can install and uninstall the game as many times as you like, as long as you use the same EA account.

2. Will I lose my expansion packs and game packs if I uninstall?

Uninstalling The Sims 4 itself will not delete your expansion, game, and stuff packs. They are linked to your EA account. When you reinstall the base game, you can re-download and install your packs through the EA app or Origin.

3. What happens if I accidentally delete The Sims 4 folder?

If you accidentally delete your Sims 4 folder without a backup, you will lose your saved games, custom content, and other user data. However, if you have cloud syncing enabled (like OneDrive), there’s a chance you can recover the folder from the cloud.

4. How do I completely remove The Sims 4 from my Mac?

To completely uninstall The Sims 4 from your Mac:

Quit The Sims 4 and the EA app.
Drag The Sims 4 application from your Applications folder to the Trash.
Empty the Trash.
Manually delete the “The Sims 4” folder in Documents > Electronic Arts.

5. How do I reinstall The Sims 4 on my Macbook?

To reinstall The Sims 4 on your Macbook:

Download and install the EA app from the official website.
Log in with your EA account.
Go to your Game Library.
Find The Sims 4 and click “Download.”

6. What happens if I delete Sims 4 files directly?

Deleting Sims 4 files directly (without using the uninstaller) can leave residual files behind, potentially leading to issues when reinstalling. It’s always best to use the official uninstaller through the EA app/Origin.

7. Does uninstalling Origin delete my games?

Uninstalling the Origin or EA app will not delete your games’ installation files, but it will prevent you from playing them until you reinstall the client. Your game licenses are tied to your EA account, not the program itself.

8. Why does The Sims 4 keep deleting my families?

Sims 4 doesn’t typically “delete” families randomly. It’s possible your Sims are being culled due to the game’s population management system. To prevent this:

Mark your favorite families as “Played Households” in the “Manage Households” menu.
Increase the Maximum Sim Count in the “Manage Households” settings.
Avoid using cloud syncing for your Sims 4 folder, as it can cause data conflicts and resets.

9. Will uninstalling Origin delete my Sims 4 save files?

No, uninstalling Origin or the EA app will not delete your Sims 4 save files, as long as they are stored in the default location (Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4). Always back up your folder as a precaution.

10. How do I completely uninstall Sims 4 EA games?

To completely uninstall games from the EA app, open the EA app, select the game, click on “Manage,” and choose “Uninstall.” Confirm your decision when prompted.

11. What does repairing Sims 4 do?

The “Repair” function in the EA app/Origin verifies the integrity of your game files. It checks for missing or corrupted files and re-downloads them, potentially fixing game crashes or other issues.

12. What specific files can I safely delete in The Sims 4 to free up space?

You can safely delete the following cache files to free up space (located in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4):

localthumbcache.package
cache folder (temporary files created while the game is running)
cachewebkit folder (temporary files created while the game is running)
lastcrash.txt
avatarcache.package

Deleting these files can sometimes resolve certain game issues.

13. What happens if I delete all tray files in The Sims 4?

Deleting the contents of the “Tray” folder will remove all the lots, houses, and Sims that you’ve saved to your library. However, if you have uploaded these creations to the Sims 4 Gallery online, they will still be available for download.

14. How do I transfer my Sims 4 game to a new computer?

To transfer your Sims 4 game to a new computer:

Install the EA app on the new computer.
Log in with your EA account.
Download and install The Sims 4.
Copy your backed-up “The Sims 4” folder from your old computer to the Documents > Electronic Arts directory on the new computer.

15. How can I learn more about game design and its impact on learning?

If you are interested in how games such as The Sims 4 contribute to society and how games help education, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society is dedicated to furthering our understanding of how games and simulations can be designed to maximize engagement and learning!

Final Thoughts

Uninstalling and reinstalling The Sims 4 doesn’t have to be scary. With a little preparation and understanding of where your data is stored, you can confidently manage your game installation without losing your precious Sims families and custom creations. Remember: always back up your game! Happy Simming!

Does uninstalling The Sims 4 delete everything?