The Sims 4 Download: Move Your Game to a New Hard Drive Without the Dreaded Redownload

So, you've taken the plunge and installed The Sims 4 on your trusty Windows computer, only to find yourself faced with the daunting task of moving the installation to a different hard drive. The burning question on your mind is whether it's possible to do so without the agony of redownloading all of the games and expansion packs. Fear not, dear Simmer, for I have the answer you seek!

Let's dive into the various solutions that will allow you to move your Sims 4 installation to a new hard drive seamlessly and effortlessly. The first option is to manually copy the game files from your current installation location to the desired hard drive. Begin by locating the installation folder, typically found in the "Electronic Arts" folder in your Documents directory. Copy the entire "The Sims 4" folder and paste it into the new hard drive. However, don't forget that you'll also need to update the game's registry entry to reflect the new installation path. This can be done by editing the "Install Dir" value in the Windows Registry Editor. Just remember to proceed with caution when making changes to the registry.

If you have The Sims 4 installed through the EA Origin client, you're in luck! The client offers a built-in feature that allows you to move your games to a different location without the need to redownload. Simply open the client, navigate to your game library, right-click on The Sims 4, and select "Move Game." From there, you can choose the new installation directory, sit back, and let the client handle the rest. It's a quick and hassle-free solution that saves you from the dreaded redownload process.

For the more tech-savvy Simmers out there, symbolic links provide a clever workaround. This method involves creating a symbolic link, which essentially tricks your computer into thinking the game files are still in their original location when they're actually stored on a different hard drive. To do this, you'll need to use a command prompt or a third-party software like Link Shell Extension. By creating a symbolic link, you can seamlessly move The Sims 4 installation to a new hard drive without any redownloading.

Armed with these solutions, you can confidently move your Sims 4 installation to a different hard drive without the hassle of redownloading. Choose the method that suits your technical prowess and get ready to embark on new Simming adventures with ease! Whether you're a manual file mover, an EA Origin client user, or a symbolic link master, your Sims will be happily settled in their new home in no time. Happy Simming!

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