...then its no longer possible to install *.sims3pack files by the launcher. Because it's no longer possible to start the game with the Sims3LauncherW.exe. I just discovered this the hard way today.

Pleaseeeeee tell me the ingenuity of the TS3 modding community came up with a workaround or alternate installation utility to address this.

Because otherwise, there's no other way to reinstall TS3 store bought content back into the game as *.dbc archives. So nvm trying to add 3rd party CC from mod creators who use sims3packs like ATS Sandy if this is the case......

While it's not something I'd worry about for the reasons mentioned above, it's also very trivial to convert .sims3packs to .package.
Many of us do so because the launcher wasn't all that reliable even in its prime :p

Thanks for answering my rant.
@CardinalSims: I understand how to convert the packs into packages. I'm assuming you're referring to CC Magic? If not, what other utility is out there?

Anyways, the issue is that some 80% of the CC I download (ATS Sandy etc) is in the stupid sims3pack format. I did this installation over time (since WA came out). So there's a TON of stuff needing installation now. This is complicated by my upgrading to a top end gaming rig which runs on Win 11. All my bin .NET 3.x files are no longer available (deleted them on old OS which is now a dumb printer terminal) I assumed I'd be able to easily access the 3.x version from MS site. But the only software MS will redirect you to is that .NET repair tool

@igazor: Thanks so much for that link. I was right about MS being unwilling to host the 3.x version on their site in future. It seems they're truly done with any base support for Win 10 and older systems.

Now if the launcher will just bear up, run and install my 1E+06 sims3packs into the game, I'd be in nirvana. Because it's going to take a LONG time to unzip each pack file and convert/rename them to their package format. Which is probably going to be bad for game performance, given the amount of vanilla and 3rd party CC the game has to read in the packages folder :\

..aaand Murphy's Law returned from vacation to kick my teeth in

Now says
Unable to start game]
Your Sims 3 Base game is incompatible with the current Sims 3 Expansion Pack
Please update your game via the GAME LAUNCHER.

So while 3.x happily installed itself offline, Windows was having NOTHING to do with that.
Also the 3.x .NET doesn't show up in installed programs (is that because it was offline mode?)
Regardless, my formerly working TS3 installation appears to be FUBAR. Is this reversible if I uninstall 3.x?
And how exactly do I uninstall this app? No uninstall.exe exists in the zip and undo button no where in the UI

LMAO. I really shot myself in the foot this time. >,<

I'm confused. Of course .NET 3 is still available from Microsoft. Even 2.0 is. They're all in the 3.5 download still on their website. https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/down ... /net35-sp1

I'm not sure why you're getting that error. This is a new disk install, Steam or Origin? Have you super patched it to 1.67 if it's disk?

I'm on Steam v 1.67. Installed the 3.x from the url you posted and got that error msg.
Ok so it sound like I didn't manually activate it

edit: just looked and the box for 2,0 and 3.0 were checked. But it doesn't matter if I uncheck this, reboot system.

Whatever version of this offline version I just installed will have overwritten whatever version Win 11 installed?
Because how else could TS3 be launched without a 3.x version of .NET?

Basically confused why is my TS3 exe not launching anymore. Installed the TS3 Collection, fully patched and was able to launch game directly from desktop with no issues. How can I get Windows to overwrite whatever version came with Win 11?

Delphy's Multi-Extractor is the standard .sims3pack to .package tool, though there are a few around that have that functionality.

Sounds like issues specific to your system / install are what are occurring here. Sometimes error messages are even red herrings to what is causing it. I'm sure the experienced minds here will be able to help you get it back into working order