The Sims 3 Message Board  

This pasted document below WILL FIX the sims 3 problems it did fix my crash issue.

** NOTE **

This vista fix will work in windows 7 as well :-)



How do I manually uninstall The Sims 3?

If you're having issues with the game and need to manually uninstall it as a troubleshooting measure, refer to the instructions below.

Backup the save data in Windows XP:

1. Click the Start button and select My Documents.
2. Select the Electronic Arts folder.
3. Right-click The Sims 3 folder and select Cut.
4. Right-click on your desktop and select Paste.
5. To restore your Sims 3 save games, move this folder back into the Electronic Arts folder after re-installing the game.

Backup the save data in Windows Vista:

1. Click the Start button and select Documents.
2. Select the Electronic Arts folder.
3. Right-click The Sims 3 folder and select Cut.
4. Right-click on your desktop and select Paste.
5. To restore your Sims 3 save games, move this folder back into the Electronic Arts folder after re-installing the game.

Delete the game files (in the default location):

1. Click the Start button and select My Computer.
2. Select the Local Disk (C drive folder.
3. Select the Program Files folder.
4. Select the Electronic Arts folder.
5. Right-click The Sims 3 folder and select Delete.

Backup the registry:

1. Hold down the Windows key and press R.
2. At the Run command, type in "regedit" (minus the quotes) and select OK.
3. Click on File and then Export...
4. Choose a location and name for the file; this will be your backup registry file.
5. Click Save.

Delete the registry keys:

1. Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder.
2. Expand the SOFTWARE folder.
3. Expand the Electronic Arts folder.
4. Expand the Sims folder.
5. Right-click The Sims 3 folder and select Delete.
6. Collapse the Electronic Arts folder.
7. Expand the Sims folder.
8. Right-click The Sims 3 folder and select Delete.
9. Collapse the Sims folder.
10. Expand the Microsoft folder.
11. Expand the Windows folder.
12. Expand the CurrentVersion folder.
13. Expand the Uninstall folder.
14. Delete the following folder if it appears:
• {C05D8CDB-417D-4335-A38C-A0659EDFD6B8}
11. Collapse the Microsoft folder.
12. Expand the Classes folder.
13. Delete the following folders if they appear:
• .Sims3
• .Sims3Pack
• Sims3
• Sims3Pack

Delete the uninstall files:

1. Click the Start button and select My Computer.
2. Select the Local Disk (C drive folder.
3. Select the Program Files folder.
4. Select Tools, then Folder Options, then View, then select "Show hidden files and folders."
5. Select the InstallShield Installation Information folder.
6. Delete the following folder if it appears:
• {C05D8CDB-417D-4335-A38C-A0659EDFD6B8}

The Sims 3 should now be completely removed from your system.


© 2009 Electronic Arts Inc. Trademarks belong to their respective owners All rights reserved.


after deleting this game re-install like normal. it shouldn't ask you for the cd key. the sims 3 will work. I had lost hope until ea came up with this solution.

[Edited by austinite04, 8/3/2009 1:38:30 AM]