How To: Download and Install Store ContentQuick Links:-
How to Download Store Items-
How To: Redeem the Monte Vista/Hidden Springs World Bundle -
Downloads Dashboard - to help download content-
Clear Internet Explorer or Edge Cache Files-
How to Install/Uninstall Store Items-
How-To: Backup and Restore Store Content-
Bought Used Copy of Game or World Discs-
Troubleshooting TipsPlease note that recently purchased store items may take several minutes to appear on the purchase history page.
How to Download Store Items1. Go to the
Sims3.com Store site and login with your Origin username and password. (
http://store.thesims3.com)
2. Go to your Username in the upper left hand corner of the screen and left-click on it and select
My Store Account. Under it's menu select
Purchase History This is where you can find all store content purchased and re-download it from there if needed. -- Items will show up in the Downloads tab in the launcher.
Checkmark Select All to download everything in your purchase history. **The "Select All" download option works on a per page basis. So the download may take awhile.
3.
*Optional* Download content to a new Sims 3 folder for best results. - Do this by moving your current Sims 3 folder to your desktop, for example and renaming it Sims3Current. Then get into game, so it will create a new Sims 3 folder for you.
4. Open the launcher so it's ready to receive the store content you're wanting to download. 5. Start downloading store content in groups, for example you could start with store worlds, then store sets (download a few sets at a time, depending on how big the sets are) and then the individual pieces.
After you've downloaded all your store content. Make a backup copy your Sims 3 folder. By copying it to backup media of choice (a folder outside of the Electronic Arts folder, external hard drive, flash drive, etc.) -- This way you have your store content backed up ready to go if/when you need it again later.
6. Click the downloads tab in the launcher, Click Select All and Install.
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Downloads DashboardIf for some reason you are experiencing issues downloading content from your Purchase History page or the Sims 3 Exchange. You can use the Downloads Dashboard to get the content downloaded into your game. More details in the link below:
About Downloads Dashboard (What & How-To Use)
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=16094.0Back to top
Clear Internet Explorer or Edge Cache FilesThe launcher still uses parts of Internet Explorer to start up. Clearing out IE's cache and cookies may help it work better. It has been shown clearing out Microsoft Edge browser's cache and cookies may help.
To Clear IE's Cache:
1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Go to the Tools menu. (Gear icon) on the right of the screen. Click it and choose Internet Options.
3. On the General tab under Browsing history click Delete.
4. Un-check the Preserve Favorites website data box.
5. Check the Temporary Internet files, Cookies and History boxes.
6. Click Delete and Okay.
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To Reset IE back to factory default.
1. Open IE and go to Tools --> Internet Options --> Advanced --> Reset.
2. Check the box that says "Delete Personal Settings.
3. Restart your computer
** Please note Internet Explorer is different from Microsoft Edge. We are not talking about Microsoft Edge or whatever browser you may be using to browse the internet with. We're talking specifically about Internet Explorer, it has ties into Sims 3's launcher and may need it's cache cleared or fully reset to help the launcher work again.
However, it has been shown clearing out Microsoft Edge browser's cache and cookies may help.
wikiHow to Clear Microsoft Edge Browser's Cachehttp://www.wikihow.com/Clear-Your-Browser%27s-Cache#Microsoft_Edge_subBack to top
How to Install/Uninstall Store ItemsThe items you download from the store will go to your Downloads tab in the launcher. Once the items are finished downloading, click the Select All button then click the install button. After installed they will show up under the Installed Content tab.
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To Uninstall Store Content:1. Open the launcher, click the Installed tab.
2. Find the items you want to uninstall and checkmark them or click the Select All button.
3. When finished click the Uninstall button.
4. You'll get a warning message of Are you sure you want to uninstall the selected items? Click Ok.
-- The uninstall may take a few minutes depending on how many items you selected.
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How To: Redeem the Monte Vista/Hidden Springs World Bundle To redeem this bundle
1. Log into the store -
https://store.thesims3.com; Click your username, and select My Store Account -
https://store.thesims3.com/myAccount.html-- You may need to redeem the codes separately for each world.
2. Click the green plus (+) sign to the right of Redeem a Code (right side of screen)
3. Enter the code and Click Redeem.
-- Once you do this for both worlds, they should now be added to your Purchase History page and be available for download.
4. Check either your purchase history page for the worlds or go to their pages to download and install.
Monte Vista
http://store.thesims3.com/montevista.html?categoryId=12642Hidden Springs
http://store.thesims3.com/hiddenSprings.html?categoryId=12642
Notes on Hidden Springs:HiddenSprings is known to be a little tricky to get via this bundle. What should happen is your account should get credited up to 2000 Simpoints. At that point, you should be able to go to it's page:
http://store.thesims3.com/hiddenSprings.html and purchase it that way. It should then show up on your purchase history page.
http://store.thesims3.com/purchaseHistory.html. It should then be ready to download and install.
You may find that you get an error message of This code has already been used for Monte Vista. That's okay. You've already redeemed the code for the town. It should now be ready to download and install from your purchase history page, or from it's store page.
http://store.thesims3.com/montevista.htmlNote: Key codes for the worlds, store content and game are stored in the Windows registry. So, that's why it is skipping the game code entry when you're installing any of the above - it uses those keys even though you may be installing it from disc.
If for some reason this does not work, or the worlds do not show up in your purchase history after awhile, please contact EA's customer service
(How-To Link Here) to have them help sort out the problem. With proof of purchase of the bundle they should then be able to help.
Reference Links:
How to Install Hidden Springs -
https://help.ea.com/en-gb/help/the-sims/the-sims-3/how-to-install-the-sims-3-hidden-springs/Unable to Download/Install Hidden Springs and Monte Vista bundle
http://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/860994/unable-to-download-install-hidden-springs-and-monte-vista-bundle[Guide] Sims 3 Store Worlds
http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/Guide-Sims-3-Store-Worlds/m-p/1589911Back to top
Troubleshooting TipsMake sure Origin is open and launcher is open before you log into the store to download the content. As it may take awhile for the launcher to open depending on how much content you have installed already.
If you're having problems downloading any of the store content, try using a different browser. For example: Internet Explorer.
If you're having a problem with downloading any of the content or your account, please contact
EA's Customer Service (HowTo). [Only EA customer service can access user accounts.] You may need to verify your account and show proof of purchase. -- If at some point you have registered your discs/games with Sims3.com that might be able to be used as proof of purchase.
[Troubleshoot] Downloading/Installing of Store Content
http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/Troubleshoot-Downloading-Installing-of-Store-Content/m-p/4287701#U4287701[FAQ] The Sims 3 Store
http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/FAQ-The-Sims-3-Store/td-p/333394Origin crashes when I try to download additional content that comes with new expansions
http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/Origin-crashes-when-I-try-to-download-additional-content-that/m-p/2322643#U2322643