View source for Game Help:TS3 Uninstall

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=Introduction=


==[[Game Help:TS3 Patching:Before You Begin|Before You Begin - Backup]]==
* If you'd like to [[Game_Help:Back_Ups|backup ]] your user files (saved game data), the steps from Sims 2 can still be applied, just using a different folder structure. You might also want to backup the \Mods\Packages folder contents located in the respective paths
* If you're uninstalling and you have custom content or mods that you would like to save for another installation, you can find them here:

'''Windows XP'''

C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages

'''Windows Vista / 7'''

C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages

'''Mac OS'''

Contents > Resources > transgaming > c_drive > Program Files > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 > Mods > Packages

==Uninstall==
Go to '''Start/Control Panel/Programs & Features (Vista/W7)''' or '''Start/Control Panel/Add Remove Programs (XP)'''
Then follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the game - it's a standard "next, next, next" type uninstall. There will be separate uninstall options for every expansion and the base game, just like with The Sims 2.


[[image:Wiki_ts3_uninstall.jpg|uninstall|300px|right]]

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==Cleaning up Leftover Folders==
'''Delete the game files (in the default location):'''

[[image:|uninstall|300px|right]]

* Click the Start button and select My Computer.
* Select the Local Disk (C:) drive folder. (If you installed to default paths)
* Select the Program Files folder.
* If you want to remove Base game:
** Select and expand the Electronic Arts folder
** Right-click The Sims 3 and select Delete.
* If you want to remove Expansion Packs:
** Select and expand the Electronic Arts folder 
** Right-click the EP name i.e. The Sims 3 World Adventures and select Delete.
<br>
* Go to My Documents
** Select and expand the Electronic Arts folder
** Right-click The Sims 3 and select Delete. (You should have made a backup in step 1.)


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==Cleaning up the Registry==
===Beginner - Use 3rd-party Registry Utility===
* Download this [http://www.ccleaner.com/download registry cleaner program], and install it, following the on-screen instructions.
* Launch the program after installation has completed.
* Click the '''Registry''' tab, and click the '''Scan for Issues''' button.
* When scanning has completed, click the '''Fix Selected Issues...''' button.
* When you're prompted to backup, click '''Yes''', accept the default name and location
* Click '''Fix All Selected Issues'''

===Advanced - Edit Registry manually===
'''Backup the registry:'''
* Hold down the Windows key and press R.
* At the Run command, type in "regedit" (minus the quotes) and select OK.
* Click on File and then Export...
* Choose a location and name for the file; this will be your backup registry file.
* Click Save.


'''Delete the registry keys:'''
(If you haven't installed any Expansion Packs, those entries will be missing)
* Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder.
* Expand the SOFTWARE folder.
* Expand the Electronic Arts folder.  '''''If you have 64-bit this will be under the wow6432Node'''''
** Base Game: Right-click '''The Sims 3''' folder and select Delete.
** EP01: Right-click '''The Sims 3 World Adventures''' folder and select Delete.
* Collapse the Electronic Arts folder.
* Scroll down and Expand the Sims folder.
** Base Game: Right-click '''The Sims 3''' folder and select Delete.
** EP01: Right-click '''The Sims 3 World Adventures''' folder and select Delete.
* Collapse the Sims folder.
* Scroll back up and Expand the Microsoft folder.
* Expand the Windows folder.
* Expand the CurrentVersion folder.
* Expand the Uninstall folder.
* Delete the following folder(s) if it appears:
** Base Game: {C05D8CDB-417D-4335-A38C-A0659EDFD6B8}
** EP01: {BA26FFA5-6D47-47DB-BE56-34C357B5F8CC}
* Collapse the Microsoft folder.
* Scroll up further and Expand the Classes folder.
* Delete the following folders if they appear:
** .Sims3
** .Sims3Pack
** Sims3
** Sims3Pack

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==Delete the uninstall files==

* Click the Start button and select My Computer.
* Select the Local Disk (C:) drive folder.
* Select the Program Files folder.
* Select Tools, then Folder Options, then View, then select "Show hidden files and folders."
* Select the InstallShield Installation Information folder.
* Delete the following folder(s) if it appears:
** Base Game: {C05D8CDB-417D-4335-A38C-A0659EDFD6B8}
** EP01: {BA26FFA5-6D47-47DB-BE56-34C357B5F8CC} 

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

You can also see this at [https://easims.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/easims.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=22226 The Sims 3]


[[Category:Sims 3]]
[[Category:Game Help]]
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