After double-clicking on the unknown file icon, the system should open it in the default software that supports it. If this does not happen, download and install the The Sims 3 software and then manually associate the file with it.
Step 1. Download and install The Sims 3
If there is no The Sims 3 or similar software in the system that supports files with the SIMS3 extension, you must first download and install it. Below you will find a list of the most-used applications that work with SIMS3. After going to the subpage of the program you will find a link to the developer's website, where you can safely download the software installer.
Step 2. Associate The Sims 3 with the SIMS3 file extension
If the user already has one of the applications installed, the next step will be to associate it with the file extension SIMS3. This can be done in two ways - one is to manually edit the Windows Registry and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT keys. The second way is simpler and definitely recommended for less advanced users.
Right click on the unknown SIMS3 file you want to open
Select "Open with" from the menu
Click "Choose another application"
Click "More applications"
Click "Find more applications on this PC" and indicate the installation location of the appropriate program
Finally, select the "Always use the selected program to open SIMS3 files" option and confirm the whole operation.
Remember! Manually editing the system registry is only recommended for advanced users, and changes made to it without proper knowledge may result in damage to the system.
Step 3. Check out other possible problems related to SIMS3 files.
Sometimes it happens that despite having the right application and the correct configuration, there are still problems with opening the SIMS3 files. You should then find out what is the reason of the problem.
Check if the SIMS3 file is not infected - When the file SIMS3 is infected with a virus or malware, it probably will not be able to be opened correctly. In this case, scan the SIMS3 file and take the actions recommended by the antivirus program installed on the system. Most often it is disinfection or deletion of an infected file.
Check if you, as the operating system user, have appropriate permissions to work with the file SIMS3
Check if the icon is an element of the correct file but not only a shortcut to the location where the SIMS3 file no longer exists.
Check that the system has the necessary resources to run the The Sims 3 application and open the SIMS3 file.
Check if the file is complete - Sometimes it happens that the SIMS3 file was not copied completely from the external Flash memory, or downloaded from the Internet. When the file is incomplete, it is not possible to open it correctly. In this case, please download or copy the file SIMS3 again.
Step 4. Contact an IT expert
When all of the above methods have failed, it remains to contact an IT specialist or developers of the THE SIMS 3 program.