Recommended Installation Order for The Sims Expansion Packs

Installing the packs can get complicated

By
Courtney Marchelletta
Courtney Marchelletta
Writer
Courtney Marchelletta is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire. gaming enthusiast, and sim player who proves video games aren't just for guys.
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Updated on July 17, 2020

The Sims is a popular life simulation video game franchise that first launched in 2000. The first entry in the series has a total of seven expansion packs that add extra content to the base game. While installing the game is relatively easy, things can become more complicated when you start installing the expansion packs. In this guide, we show you the correct way to do it.

This guide applies to the PC version of The Sims.

A sim surprises his neighbors in The Sims
EA

Correct Order to Install The Sims Expansion Packs

The Sims expansion packs should be installed in the order they were released for the best results. This ensures you have the correct versions of the game files.

You can install The Sims: Deluxe Edition over the original game and any expansion packs you already have.

The recommended installation order is:

  • The Sims or The Sims Deluxe or The Sims Mega Deluxe (base game)
  • The Sims: Livin' Large
  • The Sims: House Party
  • The Sims: Hot Date
  • The Sims: Vacation
  • The Sims: Unleashed
  • The Sims: Superstar
  • The Sims: Makin' Magic

You don't have to own all seven expansion packs, but you should install the ones you do have in the order they were released. For example, if you have Livin' Large, Vacation, and Superstar, install them in that order. If you later buy Hot Date, you should uninstall the expansion packs and reinstall all of them in the correct order.

The Sims Installation Tips

There are two things you should do before installing a The Sims expansion pack. The first is to back up your files. The second is to follow a series of steps you should complete when installing any new game on a Windows computer:

  1. Search the hard drive for lost allocation units and cross-linked files and directories using a diagnostic utility program.

  2. Put your files in order with Disk Defragmenter.

  3. Use Disk CleanUp to delete unneeded files and free up disk space.

  4. Close all programs before installing the new game.

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