Start Sims 4 in Windowed/Fullscreen Mode
Introduction
Sometimes it’s necessary to start the game in windowed (or fullscreen) mode to be able to run it in the first place. Since you can’t change the graphics options without entering the game, extra methods are needed to switch the mode from outside the game. There are two options to do this.
Sims 4 has three different Display Types: Fullscreen, Windowed and Windowed-Fullscreen. You can set the mode through a command line argument (I’m unsure if there’s also one for windowed-fullscreen).
This method only works if you add the arguments in online mode. Command line arguments can’t be added while you’re offline. They do work if you add them in online mode and then go offline.
The command line arguments do not work if you start the game through the desktop shortcut. Please use shortcut instructions for that method.
Instructions
Start EA app and Login
Find the game in the library
Click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the game and choose View Properties
Under Advanced Launch Options put the arguments and click Save
If you want to add multiple arguments, separate them with a space.
Instructions
Start Steam and login
Find the game in Library
Right-Click on the game and choose Properties
Choose General
In the field under Launch options add the command line arguments and click enter
If you want to add multiple arguments, separate them with a space.
This method only works if you start the game through a specific shortcut. They are ignored if you start the game via EA app, Origin or Steam
Instructions
Right-click on the shortcut on your desktop
Choose Properties
Add the command line arguments after the program in target (make sure to add a space after the closing quotes)
If you want to add multiple arguments, separate them with a space.
Click on OK
This method only works if you add the arguments in online mode. Command line arguments can’t be added while you’re offline. They do work if you add them in offline mode and then go offline
Instructions
Start Origin and Login
Find the Game in My Game Library
Right-Click on the game and choose Game Properties
Click on the Tab Advanced Launch Options
In the field under Command line arguments put the argument and hit save.
If you want to add multiple arguments, separate them with a space.
Instructions
Add the following command line arguments
- For Windowed Mode: -w
- For Fullscreen Mode: -f
Start the game
After starting the game you can set the desired setting in the game and then remove the setting in Origin.
Note: Removing the command line argument does not switch the mode back to what it was. You need to either do that from within the game or use the other command line argument.
This method only works if the game was already started once and the user folder has the file needed.
Sims 4 has three different Display Types: Fullscreen, Windowed and Windowed-Fullscreen. You can set the mode directly in the Options.ini file
Instructions
Make sure the game is closed
Navigate to your user folder in the file system and find the file Options.ini. If you have known extensions hidden you will only see the file as Options.
Right-Click on the file and choose: Open with and then Editor (you can use any text editor of your choosing).
Change the desired options
Save your changes. Make sure, Windows doesn’t add a txt as extension. The file needs to say an ini file and needs to have the corresponding icon.
Start the game.
Instructions
Look for the following entries in the file: fullscreen = and windowedfullscreen =
Change the value as follows:
- Fullscreen: fullscreen = 1, windowedfullscreen = 0
- Fullscreen-Windowed: fullscreen = 1, windowedfullscreen = 1
- Windowed: fullscreen = 0, windowedfullscreen = 0
