What Happens If You Delete Everything in Your Sims 4 Tray Folder?

Deleting everything in your Sims 4 Tray folder means you’ll effectively empty your in-game Library. The Tray folder is where The Sims 4 stores all the custom content you’ve saved – think houses, families, individual Sims, and rooms. If you delete it all, these creations will disappear from your Library, making them unavailable for placement in your game worlds. It’s like clearing out your personal gallery of creations; they’re gone from the display, but the game itself remains intact.

Understanding the Tray Folder’s Role

The Tray folder is essentially your local storage for anything you’ve saved within the game. It’s separate from the Sims 4 Gallery (the online sharing platform), so any uploads you’ve made there will remain available. This folder is crucial for players who create and want to reuse or share their creations locally, but it can quickly become cluttered. Before deleting anything, it’s vital to understand what’s in there and whether you have backups.

Identifying Tray Files

The Tray folder contains several file types, typically with extensions like .trayitem, .blueprint, .householdbinary, and .room. These files represent different types of saved creations – lots, Sims, or rooms. You’ll also find associated images for each creation, allowing you to identify them visually in the Library.

Backing Up Your Tray Folder

Before undertaking any deletion, backing up your Tray folder is a smart move. Simply copy the entire folder to another location on your computer or an external drive. This way, if you regret deleting something, you can easily restore it.

Consequences of Deletion

Deleting the contents of your Tray folder has a direct impact on your in-game experience.

• Empty Library: Your Library will be empty. Any lots, houses, Sims, or rooms you previously saved will no longer be available to place in your game worlds.

• No Impact on Existing Saves: The deletion does not affect Sims and houses already placed in your save files. If you built a magnificent mansion and moved your Sim family in, deleting the Tray folder won’t erase that mansion from your saved game. The Games Learning Society emphasizes the importance of understanding the boundaries of game modifications to prevent unintended consequences, as detailed on GamesLearningSociety.org.

• No Damage to Game Files: Deleting Tray files won’t corrupt your game or make it unplayable. It’s purely a deletion of user-created content that is stored separately from the core game files.

When Deleting Might Be Necessary

There are legitimate reasons why you might want to clear out your Tray folder:

• Organization: If your Library is cluttered with unwanted creations, deleting them can make it easier to find what you’re looking for.
• Troubleshooting: Sometimes corrupted Tray files can cause issues within the game. Deleting them can help resolve problems related to loading or saving.
• Starting Fresh: You might want to start with a clean slate, deleting everything you’ve saved and starting anew with your creations.

Alternatives to Complete Deletion

If you’re hesitant to delete everything, consider these alternatives:

• Moving Files: Instead of deleting, move files to a backup folder on your computer. This allows you to restore specific creations later.
• Selective Deletion: Go through your Tray folder and delete only the items you no longer want.
• Using Third-Party Organizers: Some third-party tools can help you manage and organize your Tray files more efficiently.

FAQs: Your Tray Folder Questions Answered

1. Will deleting my Tray folder delete my saved games?

No, deleting your Tray folder will not delete your saved games. Save files are stored in a different location. They are completely separate. Your existing households and lots will be completely safe.

2. Can I restore Tray files after deleting them?

Yes, if you have a backup of your Tray folder, you can easily restore the files by copying them back into the Tray folder location. If you don’t have a backup, the deleted files are gone.

3. Where is the Tray folder located?

The Tray folder is typically located in your Documents folder, under DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 4Tray.

4. Does deleting Tray files affect items I’ve downloaded from the Gallery?

No, it does not. The Sims 4 Gallery is online. The tray folder only stores things you downloaded from the Gallery and saved directly to your Library. Deleting tray files only removes local copies.

5. Will deleting Tray files improve my game’s performance?

It depends. In some cases, yes. If corrupted tray files are causing issues, deleting them can improve performance. Otherwise, the impact is minimal.

6. What happens if I delete the entire “The Sims 4” folder?

Deleting the entire “The Sims 4” folder is similar to resetting the game. This removes your saves, options, and custom content, but it doesn’t uninstall the game itself.

7. Can I organize my Tray files into subfolders?

No, The Sims 4 game doesn’t recognize subfolders within the Tray folder. All Tray files must be located directly inside the Tray folder. Otherwise, the game will not find them.

8. What file types are stored in the Tray folder?

The Tray folder stores files with extensions like .trayitem, .blueprint, .householdbinary, and .room. These file extensions represent different types of saved creations.

9. Is it safe to delete the localthumbcache.package file?

Yes, it’s safe. The localthumbcache.package file is a cache file that stores images and information about custom content and other game assets. It’s periodically rebuilt, so deleting it can help with troubleshooting.

10. How do I back up my Tray folder?

To back up your Tray folder, simply copy the entire folder to another location on your computer or an external drive.

11. Will deleting Tray files free up storage space on my computer?

Yes, it will. Tray files can take up a significant amount of storage space, especially if you have many custom creations. Deleting unwanted files can free up valuable disk space.

12. What’s the difference between the Tray folder and the Mods folder?

The Tray folder stores saved lots, Sims, and rooms, while the Mods folder stores custom content like clothing, objects, and gameplay modifications.

13. How do I move Tray files to another computer?

To move Tray files to another computer, copy the Tray folder to a USB drive or cloud storage and then paste it into the corresponding location on the other computer.

14. What happens if I accidentally delete a Tray file?

If you accidentally delete a Tray file and don’t have a backup, it’s gone permanently. This is why backing up is critical before deleting.

15. Does uninstalling and reinstalling The Sims 4 affect my Tray folder?

Uninstalling and reinstalling The Sims 4 shouldn’t affect your Tray folder, if the uninstallation process only removes the game files and not the user data folder. To be safe, back up your Tray folder before uninstalling.

Conclusion

Deleting your Sims 4 Tray folder empties your in-game Library, removing your saved creations. While it won’t harm your saved games or core game files, it’s a significant action. Always back up your Tray folder before deleting anything and consider alternatives like moving files or selective deletion. Understanding the Tray folder’s role and the consequences of deleting its contents allows you to manage your Sims 4 experience effectively. The Games Learning Society believes informed players make the best creators and stewards of their gaming experiences.