I have encountered this issue many times before and haven't figured it out. I own basically all of the store content. To make things simple for myself, I downloaded and keep the content on a usb drive and try to install from the already downloaded archive I have on my usb drive. I have tried clearing out the DCC cache, and the DCBackup (but there's nothing there anyway since it's a fresh Sims 3 installation). Each time the install fails. I have made sure the files don't have a "block" on them in properties (Windows 10/11 security feature), and the files are not read only. What I find odd is normally dlc will have a icon next to it's name, but my downloaded sims3packs don't.

Here is an image:
https://i.postimg.cc/76Z4WGxw/sims-3-troubleshoot.jpg

When I download from the Sims 3 store, and launch the download directly to the launcher, it works without a hitch. But since I own pretty much all of the content, I really don't want to download each time I need a fresh install of Sims 3.

It's because there's a bit of code in the Sims3packs to prevent them from being shared with other people. What you need to do is run the files through the Sims3 Recompressor to remove the code.
http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/s...ic,15129.0.html
Use the S3rc bit only; no need to decrapify!

Many thanks.

Unzip and drag and drop your files onto the s3rc.exe application.

Can they be converted to package files after that simsample? I usually have no problem getting my sims3packs from the store installed, but some like to uninstall themselves randomly and I wonder if making them packages would help with that, but I don't want to decrapify it all (andI am about to do a full reinstall on my new computer and really don't look forward to the hours of installing through the launcher)

Don't decrapify- it's not necessary, just use S3rc. Yes they can be converted to packages after that, S3rc just breaks the encryption so that you can install the Sims3Pack. How do you usually convert to package files- just by converting the dbc/ebc files? If so then it will work as usual. If you decrapify though, this affects the internal identification of the custom object (essentially the game sees it as a new object with a new internal identifier).

If I download a sims3pack from someone (which i only do if there isn't a package) I use the pack multi-extractor made by Delphy. But it doesn't work on the store packs because of the encryption and I don't want to decrap it because that breaks some of it being used properly.

I repeat- the S3rc deals with the encryption, the decrapify is the one that changes the ID and makes the items function incorrectly. Use S3rc, do not decrapify.

@Mandelyn To add on to simsample's advice, yes this is the proper way to install store Sims3packs as packages. As stated, they will work properly using S3RC because it only removes the encryption, and does nothing else unlike decrapify, allowing you to use multi installer on them. I've got a complete guide posted here, it'll walk you through the whole process.

https://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=665108

This is a bit of a necro, but I'm running into the same issue now that I'm changing computers, and I'm sure it's not uncommon as we all keep playing this old game.

I haven't been able to install store Sims3Packs for quite a while because I've been stubbornly sticking to 1.67 to keep my access in locations without Internet. The error is the one OP shared. Something I saw puzzlesaddict say on the official forums indicated that my Version.tag value now does not match what the Sims3Packs expect. Too bad I didn't archive those packs when I installed them way-back-when.

It wasn't a big deal, since I already owned almost all of the store and had installed it when 1.67 was still current. All my non-world store content is converted to packages, but worlds are fiddly, and if it's possible to install via Sims3Pack, I'd prefer to do that.

I ran CompressorizerRedux on my world Sims3Packs, but when I attempt to install via the Launcher, the Launcher reports that the install is successful, but the content is not actually installed.

Is CompressorizerRedux different from s3rc other than having a nice GUI (which I prefer)?

Is this a solvable problem? I do know how to convert worlds to packages. I'd just rather be able to use the Launcher when I need it.