🖥️ PLAYING THE SIMS 1 IN 2020 🛠️ How to install THE SIMS 1 on Windows 10

[@kafid7301]

My daughter has been watching gamers play sims 4 and I still have my original Sims Complete Collection. We made it work and I'm so grateful but now, I'm hovering over her shoulder playing with her! We're going to have so much fun playing together, you're a diamond x

[@rachybop]

That is awesome!

[@KatieRoshell]

did all of the steps and yet, nothing launches. :(

[@katiebland9833]

Thank you, this was so helpful and allowed me to relive my childhood! You're amazing!

[@rachybop]

Glad I could help!

[@emilysergeant5547]

You little beauty!!!!!!! I’ve tried everything to get my sims 1 game to work, I have a rare collectors edition of all the expansions and bonus content but I couldn’t get house party or vacation to work. I did your tutorial and it worked!!!! Only thing is I don’t want window mode lol but I’m playing around with it now and seeing what works best. again. I’m so grateful for your tutorial! 😆🥰

[@rachybop]

Glad I could help!

[@carolrhodes1530]

Did you ever find out how to get the game out of window mode?

[@jetpantsjess]

You saved me from having a breakdown! THANKS SO MUCH!

[@rachybop]

Glad it helped!

[@AnnePersson]

I just wanted to say thank you so much for your time and patient explaining this process. Watched many videos with same subject, but didn't make it work. So glad I found your page and finally make it work.

[@rachybop]

Happy I could help :) Enjoy playing!

[@hdhdhfnfndjndnd3231]

@@rachybop can you please do macbook tut?

[@boxuni8865]

Doing this for the second time ended working for me. I think I messed up with the short cut part. But thank for this tutorial :) it was really good since I was very worried about downloading this since it took forever for me to make the sims 2 work.

[@rachybop]

Great job!

[@mylesbates2124]

This actually worked, thank you so much, I just got the game and I've been wanting to paly it for a while now, thank you!

[@leanne42841]

I adore you. This is now working on my Windows 10. Here comes hours of wasted time and nostalgia :D :D :D Thank you SO much

[@rachybop]

Enjoy!

[@benroddison]

I have done all of these steps however the game will not load up, it doesn't show an error message and does not do anything. Is there any fix for this?

[@Gaming_Fuze]

me too

[@M4DM4N789]

Same here

[@lostgoat]

I haven't tried yet but can you run in compatibility mode?

[@Rowans9]

Same here :(

[@hi7642]

Thank you, this is the only method that worked, i can finally play sims 1

[@rachybop]

Glad I could help

[@aubreyheartburn]

Oh, I spent FAR too much time playing this. Except I never really played the game - I downloaded user created content and would design and build fabulous properties. I managed to install mine on Win10 a couple of years ago with not too much trouble, but due to recent updates, my pc is screwed. As I no longer use my desktop for banking etc, I'm going to get rid of Win10 and re install my beloved Win7, and just play play PLAY! 😊

[@Dominik-K]

Thanks to your video, I got my old collection running on Windows 10 again. Was playing it on an old XP machine, but it's nice seeing it on a modern PC The music is so great actually, thanks a bunch

[@rachybop]

Glad I could help!

[@danitiwa]

Ur an angel. I have ben trying to get this to work for so LONG! I had done everything but write in the -w -r stuff in the file location and that's what did it in the end.

[@dominicdominicdominicdominic]

Thanks for listing them in order. It helped a lot!

[@ILickPanda]

I dont know why but I immediately trust this person. Here's hoping I can get the game working now

[@ShadowisAlive]

Unsure if this works yet, but i remember sitting down and giving up. I still have the discs just sitting there collecting dust, will try this in the morning! Maybe-

[@johnlewis1078]

Excellent explanation, Ms Rachael! Your hair color looks fantastic too!

[@rachybop]

oh thanks!

[@sandyhakes11]

@@rachybop hi I need help on my hot date it says I got to log in something 😣😣😣😣

[@vcra]

I did all the steps but when I double click the shortcut or de exe file nothing happens... when I click on the sims via my usb drive it does open the start screen where I can chose to start the game in 800x600, 1024x768 or the sims creater but when I click on one of those, again nothing happens. Is there somebody who's knows how to fix this?

[@tomcoward16]

I've still got my original Sims 1 disk and packs in their case . Luckily I have an external cd drive . "Sims on Holiday " is my favourite! I had hours of fun when a kid making Hotels haha

[@GINGERV1TUS]

did you use every single expansion? no double deluxe etc.? Also, does it require you to own every single expansion or can you gradually buy they rest and it still work?

[@tomcoward16]

@@GINGERV1TUS I gradually bought them when they came out years ago. I got the sims party pack first.

[@thetoasterunicorn]

I have Windows 8 on my laptop and this worked with it too! Thank you so much for this guide!

[@rachybop]

Glad it helped!

[@chanels5724]

I keep getting a bloody error saying 'Could not find The Sims data directory'. I've followed every single step. whyyyy =(

[@ashlie8422]

Mine keeps doing the exact same :(

[@SeñorDossierOficial]

Maybe its because you haven't installed certain expansiona i the right order

[@Thomasm3000]

You are a lifesaver! Thank you for helping me get my game working again

[@rachybop]

Happy to help!

[@kyattogaddo]

They didn't explain the installation in order of release until I was an adult. Needless to say I held my breath every christmas I got a new expansion knowing it wouldn't work. xD It didn't stop me from hoping though.

[@petroleaum]

Holy sh*t, it worked! So glad I found your video!! Thank you, you are the best!💖

[@rachybop]

You're welcome!

[@stuguzz952]

I am doing this in 2024 and it worked!!! Thankyou so so much!!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@dothesmokypokey]

Thank you so much! This was perfect for me to understand. Has anyone had issues with the loading screen cycling? It loads the game and just keep cycling the explanations over and over again. I think I need a wired mouse to fix it. Anyone know?

[@EyesForYou21]

Thank you sooo much for this! I never thought I would get it to work!! PS for anyone wondering: I’m using Windows 8 and this method totally works for that OS as well as Windows 10 🥰

[@rachybop]

Glad I could help!

[@EyesForYou21]

This worked so well for about 2 months and then just today I tried to launch the game using the shortcut like usual and I’m getting an error message saying “this app can’t run on your PC” with no other information. 😔 Any ideas?

[@MikayliaMarie]

Thank you! This one worked for me and I tried so many other videos but this one helped!

[@rachybop]

You're welcome!

[@danpym3D]

Awesome guide!! This was very helpful!!

[@rachybop]

Glad it helped!

[@RUBBERTUNES]

Remember when installing Hot Date expansion: it will need the House Party CD (for some files) during installation (it will ask for it but you may get confused not reading it properly like I did).

[@annieg2863]

Thank you for your explanation, it wa so helpfull😁. Now I can relive my sleepless nights of 20 years ago, getting the servo and tragic clown playable again .....

[@katakiss4948]

Thank you so so so much! It worked and I am the happiest girl makin' magic again! :D

[@rachybop]

Wonderful!

[@jacquerae188]

Hi could you please help. When going to the part to rename sims.exe I don't have one? It only has the sims logo once and just says Sims should I just rename that one? Many thanks

[@rachybop]

hover over it or right click and check it's details to see what file type it is. Mine was the same but in the file type shown in the folder it says it's an application. If that's the case then that's the one :)

[@lowwbabeexx3]

@@rachybop Hi, I have the same issue as jacquerae188, and when I go to the properties of my one Sims icon it does say that it is in fact an application, with .exe. How am I able to change this? Just renaming the file from Sims to Sims.old will make it Sims.old.exe which does not solve the problem. What are your thoughts on a solution?

[@Penelope746]

Ive done all the instructions and the game does load, but i made a house on there etc and it couldnt save the house i created so i lost all my hard work and then it just goes back to the map showing the loading screens for the new towns, and also I cant even create new sims characters in my game , ive wasted hours just trying to get this to work and its only half working

[@marioboy008]

Thank you so much. You are amazing! I've been going crazy trying to get this running. You are the best, thanks

[@rachybop]

Happy to help!

[@Rookiewompus]

Thanks for this! So helpful!

[@rachybop]

you're welcome :)

[@krzysztof7429]

thank you so much I love it how it turned out everything is perfect

[@rachybop]

You are so welcome!

[@Honeywell888]

This thing that you are describing is working indeed. Although, if you keep playing for a while many weird things like bugs and other ''losses'' of the original game will appear. According to my research, another more safe solution would be to install a dual operation system, i.e. Windows 7 along with your current operating system. Thank me later! : ) :p

[@kpeacenloveb]

I need help! Your video was amazing, but my game is having problems. It opens it, but then it won’t stop looping the blue loading boxes over the neighborhood. It just continuously does it in a loop and doesn’t allow me to click anything. Please help if you can!!!

[@rachybop]

I haven't had that problem myself but if you google 'sims 1 loading continuously' there are a few options that show up. Hopefully one of those helps! :)

[@kpeacenloveb]

Thanks for the suggestion! All I had to do was mess around with the properties a bit. Had to run it with Windows XP (SP2). Runs like a dream now. Has closed out once or twice on me, but it loads exactly where I was when I reopen the game.

[@sirrollsafatty]

Damn.. it didnt work.. I also only have sims 1 and sims unleashed. Was I suppose to have all the sims??

[@saneminotaur]

Thank you for this guide, very helpful!

[@rachybop]

No problem!

[@elyod22]

It worked!!! 😄 TY so much!

[@rachybop]

No problem 😊

[@grilled6003]

if its on my disc drive, is it downloaded?? how do i exactly download it? it says i have a setup file (assuming the sims 1 has a setup in order to install it) but no sims 1 file, and i cant open the setup file

[@EmiliFaust]

Hey I'm having the same problem with running the setup file, have you managed to find a solution?

[@MindOfW]

You did such amazing Job Speaking all the way thru giving us so much Useful Info about how to do it

[@rachybop]

Same to you!

[@MindOfW]

@@rachybop

[@MindOfW]

@@rachybop How will you be Spending Valentine's Day my friend ?

[@indiarose2963]

I'm still having difficulty. I managed to install it onto the computer and I went to click on 'Play Game' and it didn't respond and the program crashed. I then couldn't open it again, no matter how much I tried. I uninstalled to try and reinstall it, but now when I put the disc in, nothing happens. I keep manually trying to install it and it just won't do anything. Really frustrating as I had managed to install it at first. What do I do if the disc just won't do anything? I would assume it won't work on my laptop at all, only it did when I first set it up before it crashed! PLEASE HELP.

[@Toni-bf6fy]

So I’ve bought the disks and well it wouldn’t install. So I used the setup in the disk and could install it like that. I also used your install order cause I didn’t wanna risk it. I always wanted to play the sims 1 but I wasn’t even born when it came out lol so I got it from eBay for rather cheap and it’s so awesome. I don’t regret anything

[@codysattler-su1dk]

THANKS IT WORKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@SimmerBerkay29]

I'm just trying to download the main game but the setup file doesn't open, it appears in the task manager 😢

[@vulpesvelox03]

I've been searching all over the web for a clear way to instal my The Sims Deluxe Edition, I hope this works for it.

[@rachybop]

good luck!

[@nikor.5907]

YOU ARE A GODDESS OMG THANK YOU SO MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH

[@rachybop]

haha, you're welcome!

[@Whitemocha-eg]

Mines is kinda different and when I click play and select the size it just doesn’t open the game at all

[@rjformation9038]

I hope someone smart in EA refreshes the graphics, aging and navigation. This game is perfect

[@solidgent7870]

Thank you so much for this! However after about half a year I got a weird error message one day and the game crashed, and now it crashes whenever I try to start it up again.

[@mem5091]

Maybe its from some windows update

[@viivi4140]

I tried for hours and it just doesn’t work :(

[@adzg4m1ng85]

same. just get a 3 second buffering cursor followed by nothing. i only have deluxe edition though, everyone else ive seen get this to work has all the expansion packs. maybe there is something in that, although I cant see why ....

[@etnon492]

@@adzg4m1ng85 Me too, I thought maybe it would make me re-install it... but I'm having the same issue as before and the only thing that has changed is that I don't get an error asking for admin... (Even with RUN with Administrator it did not fix that error.) But, it was fixed after this video. That still however does not change the fact that my game won't launch. I can launch the setup and once I press play>2nd Option (1k) I see a buffering cursor like you mentioned. After that, the game does not launch and it is not running as a backround process either.

[@adzg4m1ng85]

@@etnon492 I got the game working. Download the complete collection from oldgamesdownload.com. install from the setup exe on the disc files then there's a patch you can install to stop the graphics glitching when you alt tab out of it.

[@madamesims]

I tried with your explanation and the only thing is my game doesn't open in windowed mode it's always in full screen and I don't find it practical to record my let's play on obs studio

[@smolash432]

Did you have an issue at first with it not downloading the patch sign the install?

[@Jamiex112]

will this work with a digital copy of all the sim 1 games? I found on eBay for $10 digital downloads for all sims games. Scared to try it!

[@jayku138]

I keep trying to move the sims 10 patch download into the drive with my sims complete collection folder but it says theres not enough space

[@lyn3667]

You are my hero! Thank you!!!

[@martinaspiazzi7238]

Thank you so much, but I have a problem, when I click to the icon on my desktop it doesn't open :(

[@rachybop]

Did you download the new exe?

[@martinaspiazzi7238]

@@rachybop yes, I did all the steps

[@joshnewton9416]

Same as me. I double click it and nothing happens :/

[@etnon492]

@@joshnewton9416 Me too, same problem as before. This time, I just don't get an error.

[@randyharrigan4790]

I can run the launcher for sims 1 but it wont install just hangs at the launcher when i click install. tried all compatibility modes and run as administrator

[@M4DM4N789]

This won't load up for me :( I followed everything you said

[@mvr4675]

me too :((

[@regishel]

I can't find my "make in magic" on my retro shelf, do I need it? I'm not too sure if I got it as a kid, even though I thought I had every expansion of sims 1!

[@KitKatCola10-11]

Very late to the party here. I've had my complete collection disc's since the game first came out but I seem to have hit a snag on windows 11. After getting a new gaming rig I'm trying to download the game with the disc, but I keep getting two error messages: 'Autoplay will only run from The Sims installation CD. Exiting now.' & after I hit 'OK' I get the dreaded 'To continue with this operation, please insert Disc 1 into the CD-ROM drive & click OK.' to which I'm in an endless cycle of hitting 'ok' & it not recognizing the disc is in. Has anyone run into this problem? Most of the tutorials I've seen the game is already downloaded to apply patches but I haven't been able to download.

[@elenastanica6153]

Do you know someone who sells it on USB? What I download seems to be available via CD, but my laptop does not have an option for CDs, nowadays, everyone uses USB sticks.

[@rachybop]

you can use the usb cd drive, there's a link in the description

[@Oneasianpersuasion]

Apparently, when I click on the link in the description for the file - it says I need access.... and Access Denied... Also. when I click on autorun or run as administrator, then it will bring up the home page and when I click play, it loads but nothing happens...

[@kimberlyrobinson1513]

It installed but it won’t play. Please help me I’ve spent a lot of money on the complete collection pack. But it wont play. I’m trying to get to where you rename the file but I can’t get to it

[@romanyrose7765]

Help! It doesn’t install when I put the disc in, so it’s only on the pc as a disc and I can’t do anything with it? What do I do

[@maiam7852]

Hi! I’ve done everything in the tutorial and am in game, but it won’t actually let me go into a house or press anything because the packs keep loading over and over again. Do you know a solution?

[@child0fvenus]

Do you need to have all of the expansions for this to work?

[@MARTINALEJANDROCERDALAGO-yd3td]

me & my dad fixing the sims 1 on windows 10 with major tweaking such as widescreen fix and dgvoodoo 2 to remedy various issues for good and have a playable experience

[@AshtonParchman]

Hi - I tried downloading the patch but I don't have all the expansion packs, is that the issue? Is there a way to get the programs to run if I only have house party, hot date, vacation and livin large?

[@nostalgic_sbw88]

it didn't work for me on windows 11 :( I installed it already for the 4th time from the first till the last with the download of the online exe file.

[@PlinianExplosion]

I did all this and still nothing happens when I click to play it.

[@mvr4675]

literally same😩

[@ashlie8422]

Please Help! I tried everything you said and every time says "Could not find The Sims data directory." my game would at least bring up the launch screen before I tried this :(. I am using windows 10 and have the 4-disc Complete Collection. Why does it not work? :(

[@cloon7460]

ok so i cant find y sims.exe file, I downloaded everything but I cant find it, HELP PLSSSSS

[@Sky01215]

Same

[@zomp]

nice video, is it possible to play on windows 10 without all expansions?

[@britletsplays7363]

Hello. I'm having issues with my game. When I play for a bit. The buy mode items disappear. The sim pictures aren't there. Than the game exits out. How do I fix? I tried everything . I have the cds. Thanks again

[@elliesmith2059]

Hi, I download the exe file but it won't let me move it to the folder (I have renamed the original file), any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[@Woodbi2004]

it's doing the same for me!

[@carolrhodes1530]

Thank you so much, I've missed it!

[@rachybop]

You are so welcome!

[@Itstol8toapoligze]

It thinks the shortcut is an app rather than a game how do I fix this? Thanks

[@karolinamajewska5995]

I want to play Unleashed only. Any tips please???

[@KINGJACKPS5]

I dont have your first box was it delux delux or something (the yellow one) are you saying all this stuff id dependant on the last box you instal and that to do it your way it must be the making magic box?

[@rachybop]

it is for the launch file but you can do a google search for the file you need depending on which pack you stop at

[@jorgeramirez8291]

Hello, i only have the megaluxe edition, i tried this method but it never fully ran it, it only ran a black screen and then it closed by itself, is there a way that i can play only the megaluxe edition or do i have to have all the games?

[@amuto4eva101]

I can't even get the start up menu to pop up. I installed it by doing to the set up folder. Now that's it's installed, I don't have an icon on the desktop or a start menu. :/

[@rachybop]

you need to create the shortcut :)

[@GINGERV1TUS]

@rachybop Are you aware as to whether using the base sims game and all expansions allows this to work as well?

[@sloppy6678]

will this work if you only want to install the deluxe edition and making magic ?? or do you know to install the whole lot in order for it to work?

[@rachybop]

I believe you would just to have the last one fo the launch file to work

[@anayajones2611]

This didn't work, the game doesn't open

[@Vivian-rg2pg]

Well I didn’t have a problem and a bunch of other people did too so it might just be your computer

[@etnon492]

@@Vivian-rg2pg A lot of people have this problem, from the comments I have read, most people who are having problems don't have a bunch of expansions..? I don't think it's the computer because people are here for a "Windows 10 Fix". So if it works for some, and not other... I don't think it's the computer that is the issue.

[@nataliachristina5629]

Hey! I am getting a 'fatal error' pop up, saying that they cannot find the Sims Directory. Any advice?

[@charlenebuisson6444]

Mise a jour apres disque additionnel triple deluxe ?!

[@erictucker98]

is 640x480 and 1024x768 to only res options avalible? im using a 60 inch 4K tv and is somewhat small.

[@chaneleden8255]

Followed all the steps, the game opens but repeats the same stuff over and over and freezes you can’t click on anything, have restarted over 10 times What am I supposed to do now ?

[@sandyhakes11]

Hi I'm having trouble with my hot date it won't load up I got one on there and living in Large can you help me 😒😒😒😒😒

[@tbwglobalops4064]

Legendary! :)

[@obese2beast65]

I have recently got the original sims 1. No add on packs just the 1st sims. I have followed your instructions but I still seem to have no luck :( any added help will be appreciated

[@rachybop]

you will need to find a sims 1 launch file rather that the makin magic one. Hope that helps!

[@xehla3741]

so if i have all of the expansions minus one (hot date) this should work, yeah? since makin magic is the last one in the order or do i need to find a different .exe?

[@rachybop]

yep it should work!

[@mattshadowsfan777]

I got a message about my ram being less than required after a few expansion packs and whether I wanted to proceed or not. I clicked Continue, everything seemed fine and I followed all the steps but it just won’t load. Nothing happens. Could it be because of that message? Or because I didn’t install Superstar and Makin Magic?

[@krzysztof7429]

try installing superstar and makin magic, and then doing the thing it needs to run. hope it works 4 u !!! :))

[@mattshadowsfan777]

Krzysztof I’ll try again as soon as I find them. Thanks!

[@rozbot86]

Will this still work if I only have Sims Deluxe Edition and only two of the Expansion Packs?

[@Crazylissee92]

Nice I'll do that when I set up my HP Computer