The Sims 3 - What order do we install the expansions/patches?


Recommended Posts

I have the following ready to install:

  • The Sims 3
  • The Sims 3: World Adventures
  • The Sims 3: Ambitions
  • The Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff/Design and Hi-Tech Stuff
  • The Sims 3: Fast Lane Stuff

I also have the following patches:

  • The Sims 3 1.15.34
  • The Sims 3: World Adventures 2.9.10
  • The Sims 3: Ambitions 4.2.32
  • The Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff/Design and Hi-Tech Stuff 3.5.8

I believe this is everything I need to install the most complete and up-to-date The Sims 3 experience.

However, which order should I install all these in? It's very confusing!

Why not just install TS3, then world adventures, then ambitions, then high end loft, then fast lane, and use the launcher to check for updates? The expansions included the latest patches for when they came out. Interim patches won't matter, but there might be a patch or 2 after the newest

The order that you posted them. The minor exp don't matter on order. Just the major expansions. At least, that's the way it was with the Sims 2.

Patches are usually included in the major releases, so you shouldn't need the one for Sims 3 or Worlds. However, if you want to make sure, install the patch after installing that expansion. If it's already installed, it will let you know.

That is always the way that I have done it, and never had a problem.

Plus, I think Sims 3 checks for updates on it's own, so no need to worry about the patches.

Yep, don't think you need to have an order like you did with The Sims 2.

Just install them any way you want (or to be extra sure, just do them in release order) as I really don't think the "install in order" applies anymore for TS3.

  • 4 weeks later...

What a coincidence!! Just what I needed! I was searching on Google on how to do this and stumbled upon this thread!

Thanks to OP!smile.gif

The patches give you a somewhat huge hint as to what is the order.

The two Stuff packs have no order, it's like a DLC.

I would first install all by the order, then only patch the latest game, which would be Ambitions.

They do have product versions though. Last I checked -

Sims 3 is 1.x

World Adventures is 2.x

High End Loft Stuff is 3.x

Ambitions is 4.x

I don't have Fast Lane but I'd guess it's 5.x

I always do it in order as I can...not because I need to.

Also, pretty sure if you only install the patch for Ambitions it'll require the patch for the other content still.

I'm strictly speaking by using my own logic, it doesn't necessarily have to be true, keep that in mind :)

If you want to be sure, just install them as you would if those expansions were not yet released, so follow the chronological order of things.

Fast lane is in fact 5.x

Judging by the Sims 3 web site the patches don't care what expansion are you running, you can update to 1.15 (latest according to the site) and Ambitions won't ask to be updated, as it also updates it to 4.3 if you have it).

So the updates could be said "expansion free" :)

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Depends on what you need. Might be a bit clearer on what you plan to do with it. Sort of a waste if you get the newest and greatest, but don't know how to use it.
    • NTLite 2026.06.11200 by Razvan Serea NTLite is a Windows configuration tool that allows you to modify your existing Windows install or an image yet to be deployed, remove Windows components, configure and integrate, speed up the Windows deployment process. Reduce Windows footprint on your RAM and storage drive memory. Remove components of your choice, guarded by compatibility safety mechanisms, which speed up finding that sweet spot. Windows Unattended feature support, providing many commonly used options on a single page for easy setup. Easily integrate a single or multiple drivers, update or language packages. Package integration features smart sorting, enabling you to seamlessly add packages for integration and the tool will apply them in the appropriate order, keeping hotfix compatibility in check. One of the important new features of NTLite (compared to its predecessors) is the ability to modify an already installed the operating system, by removing unnecessary components. Supports Windows 11, 10, 8.1 and 7, x86 and x64, live and image. Server editions of the same versions, excluding support for component removals and feature configuration. ARM64 image support in the alpha stage. Does not support Checked/Debug, Embedded, IoT editions, nor Vista or XP. NTLite 2026.06.11200 changelog: New Secure Boot Migration support: Verification, certificate staging, and boot-manager/sector update across the Image, Updates, Apply, and Create-ISO pages (2023 CA migration, optional 2011 revocation, Anti-rollback, Boot sector choice etc) Secure Boot Host Readiness: Live host Secure Boot migration monitor and Servicing-task control Option under Image page - C:\Windows row, or load the host as the target - Updates - Secure Boot Image: 'Sort mounted images first' option for the image list in Menu-Settings UI: Hover description card for Components and Unattended pages, selectable text and quick access to Compatibility options Command line: Relay commands into the already-running instance Enables controlling already running NTLite via ntlite.exe Use /NewInstance to launch an additional instance using CLI operations (premium) UI: 'New instance' option via main menu instead of a secondary ntlite.exe prompt Apply: Hide individual Apply-page notes with a per-note dismiss (X), critical excluded Settings: 'Unsigned RDP file launch warnings' tweak (RDP client), bypassing the April 2026 security-update prompt on RDP connections Upgrade Image: Live OS and deployed image editing now unlocked on free/test licenses, same licensing as images Image: 'Recompress' option in manual dialog Remove Editions to shrink the WIM in one session Image: SWM part size set inline on the Apply page and image dialogs, split-size popup retired Image: Relative 'Last change' dates; editions grouped by build time to reduce noise Image: 'Forget - Missing' on the Edit-cache menu to mass drop entries whose folder is gone Components: Root groups reorganized - user-facing groups first, system/critical last Components: Show filter options to view components by Template or App-type, since Apps are now merged into groups Presets: Delete confirmation now lists the multi-selected preset names UI: Design update propagated to the rest of the tool UI: Filter and search match words in any order and partially, better results filtering Components Unattended: Input-locale language derives from the user locale, with an independent keyboard picker, enables combinations previously unavailable Unattended: Input-locale now allows for a user value override Unattended: Localization OOBE WinPE now can be copied with the new WinPE Copy OOBE localization toggle, enter locale settings once for both stages Updates: Downloader greys and locks updates the image already carries (hotfix and MSIX) Updates: Resume interrupted update downloads Command line: Many upgrades, see /?, now prints help to the console or redirected output UI-Translation: Finnish language added, also thanks for Chinese Traditional (Matt), French (tistou77), Italian (clarensio), Russian (RDS), Swedish (1FF), Vietnamese (Vu Anh Vu) Fix Components: Containers removal breaking Apps deployment Components: Microsoft Account had leftovers when Easy Migrate is kept Image: Export to an existing WIM improvements, Append renamed to Merge Image: Improved 26H1 live removal support Image: No more 'X:\ not accessible' popup for certain drives during image scan Presets: Manual image refresh picks up presets added/removed outside the app Tweaks: Disabled visual-effect animations no longer return after first logon on a new profile Tweaks: Live Visual Effects toggles (animations, drag full windows, font smoothing) now apply correctly Download: NTLite 2026.06.11200 | 20.5 MB (Free, paid upgrade available) Link: NTLite Home Page | NTLite Features | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • Ah. La Fontana De Incontinentia ! Bella ! Bella !
    • Hi everyone, I'm planning a small network upgrade and was wondering how others prepare their networks for future needs. Do you usually invest in higher-speed switches and better cabling from the start, or do you upgrade only when necessary? I'd be interested in hearing what has worked well for you and any lessons you've learned over time. Thanks!
    • Greetings and welcome!!
  • Recent Achievements

    • Conversation Starter
      rosiecharles earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • First Post
      KMilenkoski1202 earned a badge
      First Post
    • First Post
      carols23 earned a badge
      First Post
    • One Month Later
      Tom Willson earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Apprentice
      Asgardi went up a rank
      Apprentice
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      497
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      257
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      151
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      93
    5. 5
      macoman
      67
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!