A Complete Guide on how to Fix & Optimize The Sims 2 on Windows 10/11

[@PalhacoCapitalista]

Hey! As a first time player I thank you so much! This helped me a ton. Great to see that the community for The Sims 2 still exists and it proves to me that i really is the best in the series if people are still playing it, making tutorials and creating mods. Have a nice day!

[@Andy00H]

I usually don't comment on KZbin, but I just had to thank you for this tutorial! I found it very informative and helpful. All the parts for my new PC should arrive later this week, so I will definitely check out this guide again! ☺

[@BellaDovah]

Thank you very much for stepping out of your comfort zone and brightening my day! It means a lot🥰 I really hope it helps and you get Sims 2 up and running beautifully

[@lauroonil2962]

Thanks for the video, Bella! I also recently got a new laptop and had to go through the process of setting up the Sims 2 again on Windows 11. I appreciate you going through Empty Start Up List as I was able to make some changes to the settings there as it didn't appear to be working on this computer so hopefully it will now. I didn't use DXVK on my last laptop as it seemed to be making pink flashing worse, but on this new computer my Sims 2 game was very blurry and installing DXVK fixed the problem.

[@BellaDovah]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you are up and running 😊 I think theres a setting when creating a task for the empty standby memory where you can set it to still work on laptop battery power not just when plugged in

[@2GDV]

I hate The Sims 4. So here I am trying to play The Sims 2

[@BellaDovah]

@@2GDV same! Enjoy! 20 years later The Sims 2 has never let me down☺️

[@Mandy87Marie]

This video came out at the perfect time. I also got a new gaming laptop recently, and I’m trying to set it up. Finally got rpc to work properly

[@BellaDovah]

So glad to hear it! Enjoy playing Sims 2 at its full potential 🥳

[@bbssddww]

Did your game work well? Any performance issues?

[@Mandy87Marie]

@@bbssddww yep. Crashes occasionally, but that’s probably because of high poly custom content

[@bbssddww]

@@Mandy87Marie What about frequent frame drops and stuttering, especially when you first run the game. Mine doesn't go crazy but it surely affect my enjoyment.

[@Mandy87Marie]

@@bbssddww I don’t have that issue. Maybe try reducing the settings in graphics rules maker

[@MissxAbyss]

I can’t thank you enough for this guide, exactly what I was looking for 🥰🥰🥰

[@BellaDovah]

That’s so great to hear! You’re so welcome🥰

[@MeridianOne]

I just played sims 2 again after just over 20 years...... i was on it for 7 hours and didnt notice 😳😳😳😳😳 even sims 3 didnt keep me that long

[@ClaraGayed]

Very detailed and worked smoothly. Thank you! :))

[@BellaDovah]

@@ClaraGayed you’re welcome! So glad to hear🥰

[@tech_dad_tom]

I want to add a note, the AMD fix on graphics rules maker has an incorrect description. It says it is for HD 7000 cards and older. I had horribly slow gameplay and stutters. I have a RX 7900xtx. Enabling this fix fixed my framerate and it runs great now.

[@midscars3053]

If you are having issues with the Intel graphics as I was having all you need to do is to check the Vsync Intel option when you are setting up the graphics rule maker....I was having the issue and after intense searching the web I found the solution....I had changed my laptop about 2 months ago

[@BellaDovah]

Thank you for sharing :)

[@midscars3053]

@@BellaDovah you are most welcome

[@TeaAddict]

Great guide! Definitely went and double checked all of the settings on me empty standby list after watching this 👀👀 Also just a good tip if you do use DXVK, is that you dont need to worry about Sim Shadows at all using DXVK, it makes them work without need of the fix mod ☺️

[@BellaDovah]

Thank you!🥰 Oo thats good to know thanks for sharing!

[@AlhapraGaming]

I'm coming here because I got a lag in the lodging from vacation when I'm using Speed 3 because there are probably too many sims. I guess it's from the TS2 system itself (LazyDuchess also stated that if I'm not wrong). I will try to experiment with RPC because this is my first time using it. We'll see :D

[@kali6753]

In my experience, Windows 11 is much more suitable for playing Sims 2 than the previous version. But this is based on my personal experience. The only thing I can't do and never manage is to take screenshots. I just can't bring myself to take photos. Everything is set up the way you suggest with the code, but it just doesn't work.

[@BellaDovah]

That’s good! But strange you wouldn’t be able to take screenshots. You mean with RPC? Have you definitely enabled the option in the RPC settings?

[@kali6753]

@@BellaDovah yes I enabled it for sure.

[@BellaDovah]

@@kali6753 have you tried using the -show launcher argument so that you can see for sure if screenshots are being taken and if so where they are being saved to in the console log?

[@kali6753]

@BellaDovah No, until now, not once. But next time I'll play I'm going to try and see what happens.

[@togoxo]

why dotn you just take normal screenshots like you do on windows? like just press the printscreen button and that brings up the snapping tool that you can use to take a screenshot or if that doesnt work you can use the ols shortcut windows + shift + s . for fullscreen screenshots without the snipping tool press windows + printscreen. for some laptops the printscreen key might be under some key like i have the prt sc written on the right shifht key so i press fn + right shift and it works.

[@keyko210]

Thank U Thank U Thank U!!!!!! oh ma lord!!! im so happy i was forced to change pc and when i saw i wasnt able to play ts2 my heart broke .. and thanks to u i can play again thank u so so SO much for this tutoroial

[@BellaDovah]

@@keyko210 🥰🥺🥹🥰This made my day, you’re so welcome 🥰

[@jamiesparkles13]

my game finally works again, thank you!

[@BellaDovah]

That’s so great! 👏 You’re very welcome❤️

[@graublauYT]

Uh, perfect! I recently upgraded to Win11 aswell :D

[@BellaDovah]

Great! Hope this helps! I was pleasantly surprised that its the same process as Windows 10

[@battiebumpkin]

you're a life saver, thank you! ^^

[@BellaDovah]

@@battiebumpkin 🥰 you’re welcome!

[@miaomiao2356]

Thank you! Play smooth on windows 11 | 2024-07

[@BellaDovah]

@@miaomiao2356 amazing 👏 You’re so welcome!

[@SweetandSpicySims]

THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!

[@BellaDovah]

@@SweetandSpicySims you’re welcome!!🥰

[@cwatkins7749]

All seems well except RPC, I followed along with the video and downloaded RPC and got the simssp error and know I have to fixed this by replacing the file with the cracked version George so I did all that but RPC still comes up with the error saying I don't have it. Do I need to uninstall RPC and reinstall now that I have the cracked fix?

[@madamesoap]

i adore you. thank you so much

[@BellaDovah]

@@madamesoap 🥰 You’re very welcome!

[@erinschloeffel]

Thanks so much! :)

[@BellaDovah]

@@erinschloeffel you’re welcome!☺️

[@the10th_muse82]

Nice tutorial! Which part makes the neighbors look HD? That’s what drives me crazy. All my settings are high

[@BellaDovah]

@@the10th_muse82 change the lot imposter setting in RPC to optimized, but you need to then load each lot, move an object (even if you then put it right back where it was), then save and exit to neighbourhood for it to update to the higher quality one, so you won’t immediately see a difference after turning the setting on, you have to go through each lot individually

[@drumbeard]

Ended up finding this vid after having problem with Sims 2 stuttering heavily. I did all the possible fixes and it still stutters (especially when zooming out). If anybody could offer any advice, it would be awesome.

[@meraspencer5755]

I downloaded the sims 2 on old games download before and I downloaded graphics rules maker and the 4gb patch and updated settings and it goes through the intro but it says application has now terminated it will close and it did that with everything I did

[@MrRuceba]

thanks so much for this video. finally got the game to work but im still unable to install most of the expansions is there a way around this ?

[@saaphyrix]

I tried fixing the game but I cant even open Graphics Rules Maker, it says my PC cant open this kind of files. I dont know what im doing wrong

[@BellaDovah]

Not sure, that might be covered in the FAQ on the Graphics Rules Maker website if you have a look there. It could be to do with your antivirus or OneDrive

[@nathalieblindeman7931]

Thank you ❤

[@BellaDovah]

@@nathalieblindeman7931 you’re welcome!😊

[@mogotrevo]

Thank you so much for this detailed yet easy to follow guide! I do have a question though. If I installed the game from EA and then replaced the .exe with the George version and applied RPC patches.. do I need to always open the game with Sims2RPC.exe? Like if I just opened Sims2EP9.exe would it be missing the adjustments I applied in RPC? Also, what are the mods for the sky that you mentioned? I appreciate everything!

[@BellaDovah]

You're welcome! Glad to hear it! Once you're using RPC you never want to use the EA App to open the game, there's no benefit to this and none of the RPC stuff will be applied, this goes for with or without George. So yes, have a shortcut to the Sims2RPC and always use that to launch your game instead. I've actually just been redownloading some skyboxes for my new downloads folder, the video I cover them in is this one, in this section: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHjHi6mDoaujrsk and there is a handy list of all the different options available here: www.tumblr.com/simmergetic/633708875425726464/ive-received-many-questions-about-where-to-find I personally use all of Great Cheesecake Persona's Skylines and I'm still choosing my clouds, but I think my favourites are by dramallamadingdang (iCad). Hope that helps!

[@princessguro2704]

I can't get George to work because of the DirectX 9 error :(

[@jin-zz1bj]

Bella what SSD and HDDs do you recommend? I just added a 1TB SSD to my PC but now I want to get an external SSD for my laptop while I’m working overnight at work! My current laptop only has like 500GB on it. And I want to play TS2 and TS4. Rn I’m using this video to help me set up TS2 to work fully on my laptop.

[@BellaDovah]

Any from a reputable brand really! Samsung, Crucial, and WD_ come to mind for me.

[@mangana215]

I have all the expansions of the sims 2 in CD, and a windows 11, whenever i try to install an expansion at the end it says it needs to check if its updated, and since there is no longer a page to conect that after inserting the CD 4 that it asks, it goes back on the install. But if i end the program with the task manager, it may be "installed" but when i launch the game it wont show any active expansion on the screen that appears to launch the game. Do i need to install the cd expansions a certain way for it to work? Does anyone knows how to solve this problem? I love the sims 2, is my favourite game, and feel really sad to not be able to play them.

[@BellaDovah]

Hey, your comment has reminded me that for the disks versions, you should/have to install the patches: modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS2_Patches I do think the best thing to do is to install the packs in order of release date and the relevant patch after each one before installing the next, but it might work if you just install all the patches in order on your installed game, hope it helps!

[@vcka]

@@BellaDovah i tried doing each patch after each game and it did NOT work out well. last time on my win10 i did them all afterwards (even after playing the game for a while) and it worked. does this video cover installing sims 2 by digital download? i need to try again

[@sarah31537]

I have the ultimate collection and keep getting the error another user mentioned about not having a cracked/no-CD install of the game for RPC Launcher, how do I gix?

[@BellaDovah]

And as I said to the other user “If you actually watch the video you'll know what to do about this as its specifically covered at 34:20 or at this specific step in my written guide: www.belladovah.com/post/how-to-fix-optimize-the-sims-2-on-windows-10-11-performance-stability-and-graphics-enhancements#:~:text=2.*%20Note%20that,inside%20George.rar.”

[@advisko]

How do you fix the very tiny UI?!?!?

[@BellaDovah]

@@advisko you can’t really, only by playing the game in a lower resolution than your monitor, so I play 1080p on a 1440p monitor so its not as small. There are mods like the clean UI and widescreen UI that makes some UI elements wider to make better use of the screen though

[@Windenberg]

i've been playing for 2 days but now the EA app decided to make a reparation and broke the game and now I don't know whatt else to do, reinstalled, followed every single video AGAIN. but nothing, it's crazy, I hate EA so so much

[@BellaDovah]

@@Windenberg if you use RPC you don’t need to ever use the EA App for The Sims 2… and if you follow my written guide linked in the description I walk through EA App settings to prevent it from screwing things up

[@joanagonzalez9301]

I don't know if this is the right place to ask but... I really need help 😢 Do you know anything about sims 2 exception code int_divide_by_zero?? Because I can't even load the game and I'm desperate already. Oh, and very good channel btw. You have a nice and sweetie voice.❤

[@BellaDovah]

Sorry I’m only just seeing this, thank you🥰 Im sorry to hear you’re having trouble with your game but no sorry I’ve not heard of that one before, are you still having the same problem or did you manage to find out what it was?

[@benb9151]

I'll try. Hasn't worked for me for 15 years. EA/Maxis too dumb to make a game that runs on future systems

[@BellaDovah]

@@benb9151 good luck, sure it will work just fine! While it does need a bit of help I’ve never had an issue, always been able to play for the past 18 years😊

[@benb9151]

17:21 it failed when I clicked Install/Repair

[@BellaDovah]

@@benb9151 in what way did it fail? Its probably being blocked by your antivirus or something

[@benb9151]

@BellaDovah I installed a no CD mod, which did let the game "launch." The game crashes with a blank error message. When I try to hit that install button the window says "Install failed." I also installed the other stuff you mentioned. Maybe something is set up just a little funky to make it not work. The No CD mod has a file to replace the Sims 2 file. Without it there, though, it asks for a CD. Everything is Excluded from antivirus

[@DaishaunBrown-k2j]

I downloaded the George file to run the rpc but having issues with downloading cc it isn't showing up in the game

[@BellaDovah]

@@DaishaunBrown-k2j the two aren’t related. The downloads folder in the program files where the exe is only for RPC asi mods, package mods need to be in a folder called ‘Downloads’ inside your Documents/EA GAMES/The Sims 2. You also need to turn the settings on in game to allow custom content and to show custom content in the catalogs.

[@suepixels]

So wait this guide works with the SIms2RPC only for a cracked version? I tried and It wants me to use the cracked version but I dont want to use a cracked version as I have the official Ultimate Sims 2 Collection. I'm a bit confused.

[@BellaDovah]

@@suepixels The ‘crack’ is simply to bypass requirements for either CDs or the EA App, but its not like you’re downloading an entirely different version to the official Ultimate Collection, everything is the same as what you install from the EA App you just replace that one exe file so that you can use RPC and therefore then launch the game with RPC instead of going through the EA App. Of course you don’t have to use RPC but there’s literally no negatives of it and a whole bunch of benefits.

[@suepixels]

@@BellaDovah I see, guess I just don't know how to replace this file and where to find it. There is no such file on Lazy Duchess page or at least I could not find it. Because I did follow your guide until that point and I was like - Uh? Why do I need a cracked version? 😅 I did everything else and just repaired sims 2 and need to start over again. As I didn't want to use a cracked version. Oh, well... it's a long tutorial and I lost now motivation to start over again. It's a good tutorial, though! I guess this little point wasn't really clear enough for me. 😅😆 So I don't have that file and guess I won't be able to use RPC.

[@BellaDovah]

@@suepixels the file is linked in the written guide I linked. It’s called George.

[@suepixels]

@@BellaDovah 🤦‍♀ I knew I missed something LOL! You are a sweetheart! Thank you so much for not giving up on me 😆🥰 Will try it later again and let you know 😏!

[@BellaDovah]

@@suepixels haha you’re so welcome 🥰 I understand it can be a lot to get your head around the first time! Good luck 🤞

[@ElleGeorge-q6y]

Hi is there any chance you could help me download the sims 2 and expansions privately on teams/zoom I tried ringing pc shops and there not much help 😂 will definitely pay for you time etc x

[@BellaDovah]

@@ElleGeorge-q6y no sorry just follow osab’s guide: href.li/?docs.google.com/document/d/1UT0HX3cO4xLft2KozGypU_N7ZcGQVr-54QD9asFsx5U/ its not difficult, once you’ve installed following that just refer back to this for a few further optimisations and tips, good luck!😊

[@ElleGeorge-q6y]

@@BellaDovah thank you one more question I have the physical discs ..do I have to download the sims 2 plus expansion packs before I do your steps ?

[@BellaDovah]

@@ElleGeorge-q6y ah I didn’t realise you had the discs, I thought you wanted to obtain it another way as osab guides through, so you don’t need that actually, just install your discs in the order they were released, and between installing each one, install the corresponding patch: modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS2_Patches then once they’re all installed just follow through my guide😊 if you can’t get it to work with your discs then you might want to consider osab’s installation instead but I’d imagine you’d be able to use your discs then get the game stable with my guide! Hope that helps

[@ardaakel8123]

After one hour later of TUTORIAL... Wait for it... Waaaaaait for it... W A A I T T T F O O O R I T T T ....!! I SAID WAIT FOR IT! 😜 come on... hope it's LEGIT!! *Y A A A A A S S S S !! V I C T O R Y Y Y Y !!* -- You've earned yourself a LOYAL NOSTALGIC SUBSCRIBER! ❤😍❤

[@BellaDovah]

@@ardaakel8123 haha worth the wait! I was in suspense! Thank you, I’m glad my tutorial was helpful

[@ardaakel8123]

@@BellaDovah Boo-yah! 😉😜😍

[@Remii216]

Eversince I installed Windows 11 and i try to run Sims2RPC i get an error saying i have no executable or that i need a cracked/no-cd of sims2EP9.exe for it to work, but i own the ultimate collection as well. I think windows defender wont let me extract the george.rar even if i turn it off!

[@BellaDovah]

If you actually watch the video you'll know what to do about this as its specifically covered at 34:20 or at this specific step in my written guide: www.belladovah.com/post/how-to-fix-optimize-the-sims-2-on-windows-10-11-performance-stability-and-graphics-enhancements#:~:text=2.*%20Note%20that,inside%20George.rar.

[@Remii216]

opening the rar file with windows explorer instead of Winrar worked out if anyone else has that issue.

[@BellaDovah]

Glad you were able to resolve it, thanks for sharing :) 7Zip is also a good free alternative to WinRAR

[@Remii216]

@@BellaDovah All thanks to you! I can't thank you enough. I've been trying to figure it out for months!! Great video and website.

[@BellaDovah]

@@Remii216 thats so lovely to hear🥰 You’re very welcome!