Origin Code Redemption, Download, and Installation FAQ

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Updated:  6/18/2013
For Origin info straight form the source, view the official Origin FAQ!  If you're looking for other information, or are having a particular issue, continue on.

Codes and Redemption
Game Download and Installation
Game Preloading
Origin Uninstallation

Codes and Redemption

How do I redeem my product code in the Origin client?
For newer games, you can redeem your code both in the Origin client and on the web.
  1. To redeem your code through the Origin client:
  2. Launch and log in to the Origin client with your Origin Account.
  3. Click on Origin in the menu bar on the top left.
  4. Select "Redeem Product Code."
  5. Enter the product code for your title.

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The game will be added to your My Games tab of Origin.

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How do I redeem my product code online?
You can redeem your code via the web* by going to origin.com/account, logging in, and selecting Redeem Product Code from the left-hand menu. Enter your product code on the Redeem Your Code page and launch the Origin client to start downloading.

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Alternatively, head to activate.ea.com, log in to your Origin account and enter your product code on the Redeem Your Code page.
 Note that the above steps do not work with the following titles and exceptions:
  • The Sims 3 - Your codes have to be redeemed on the Sims website in order to be "registered" in Origin. 
  • Bulletstorm - Bulletstorm cannot be redeemed through Origin and you will need to contact an advisor to have them complete the process. 
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How do I find my code from an Origin purchase?
If you purchased a game through Origin, the code you will need to input during installation should be located in the receipt e-mail that you got after buying your game.
 
If the serial number is not there, or if you have already deleted the e-mail, you can find your code in your Order History through the Origin client or Origin Store, depending on how you purchased your game.

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What types of codes can be redeemed through Origin?
You can redeem both full game and in-game content codes through Origin.
 
Subscription and virtual currency (e.g. Sim Points) codes must be redeemed at the URL specified in your code-instructions.
 
EA pre-paid cards (cash cards) can be redeemed at http://www.eacashcard.com.

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I received a message saying my code can't be redeemed through Origin. What should I do?
Check the instructions that came with your code. The correct code redemption URL should be listed there.

Some codes can give you extra content when redeemed at a specific URL.
 
Whenever possible, Origin will link you to that URL, but in some instances, you will need to check the instructions received with your code in order to identify the correct redemption location.

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I just redeemed a code for a full game. How do I download it?
Once a code for a full game has been redeemed, it will be available for download in your Origin Game Library. If you don't have Origin installed, download it.

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I redeemed a code, but nothing new appeared in my Game Library. What happened?
Not all codes are full game codes. Some codes are redeemable for in-game content only, and will not create a new icon in your Game Library. The content from these codes can be accessed from within the game they’re related to.

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Game Download and Installation

How do I download my new game through Origin?
You can download your purchased titles at any time by visiting the My Games tab in the Origin client.

To download a game in Origin, launch the Origin client, and log in to your account.

Locate the My Games tab and hover your mouse over the game you want to download.
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Just click the orange Download button that appears when you mouse-over and begin your download.

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How do I Install a Games for Windows Live (GFWL) game?
  • Get started by launching the Origin client, hovering over the game's tile in the My Games tab, and clicking Ready to Download, or Ready to Install if already downloaded.
  • Before installing, make sure to Copy your Product Code when you see this notice, then click Install:
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  • Select your Language and click OK.
  • The Installer Wizard should prepare to install. Once it appears, click Next.
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  • Accept the license agreement by clicking on "I accept the terms of the license agreement", then click Next.
  • In the next Wizard screen, choose the Complete setup type and click Next.
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  • You are now ready to install the program. Click Install.
  • Once the installation is complete, click Finish.
  • Click on Launch the game.
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  • Once the game launches, you will be prompted to enter your Product Code for Games for Windows - LIVE. You should now be ready to play!
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How do I Install an InstallShield Game?
  • Get started by launching the Origin client, hovering over the game's tile in the My Games tab, and clicking Ready to Download, or Ready to Install if already downloaded.

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  • Before installing, make sure to Copy your Product Code when you see this notice, then click Install:

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  • Select your Language and click OK.
  • The InstallShield Wizard should prepare to install. Once it appears, click Next.

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  • Accept the license agreement by clicking on "I accept the terms in the license agreement", then click Next.
  • In the next Wizard screen, choose the Complete setup type and click Next.7.    You are now ready to install the program. Click Install.

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  • Once the installation is complete, click Finish.
  • You should see the following screen. Select your compatible DirectX Version.

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  • A Welcome screen should appear. Click Next.
  • In this screen, enter your Product Code that was copied to your clipboard earlier. Click Activate.

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  • You should see the following window when activation is complete.

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  • You are now ready to play your game!

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How do I Install a Steam Game
  • Get started by launching the Origin client, hovering over the game's tile in the My Games tab, and clicking Ready to Download, or Ready to Install if already downloaded.
  • The Download window should appear. Click Download Now.
  • You should see the Download status. Once completed, click Ready to Install.
  • Before installing, make sure to Copy your Product Code when you see this notice, then click Install.

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  • Select your Language and click OK.
  • Once the Setup Wizard appears, click Install "Your Game Title."

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  • Accept the license agreement by clicking on "I accept the terms in the license agreement," then click Install.
  • After the install setup completes, a Product Activation screen should appear. Enter your Product Code and click Next.

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  • You should see the following Activation Successful screen. Click Next.

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  • Review the required and available disc space to install "Your Game Title" and click Next.
  • Select your desired shortcuts and click Next.
  • Installation should begin when you see this screen:

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  • After installation, your game title should appear in your Steam Games Library. Click Finish. 

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My Game Downloaded through Origin but will not Install!
Sometimes your games won’t run because you don’t have the right permissions on your computer. Get around this by running Origin as an administrator: 
  1. Close the Origin client.
  2. Right-click the Origin client icon on your desktop, or in the Origin directory if not on your desktop, and select Run As Administrator.

This will run the Origin client as an administrator and should allow the game to install. If you are still unable to install the game, please follow these steps: 
  1. Close the Origin client. 
  2. Click the Windows button and type "UAC" in the search field. 
  3. In the User Access Control window that appeared, click-and-hold the slide bar and slide it to the lowest setting available. 
  4. Click Ok at the bottom of the window. 
  5. Open the Origin client and attempt to complete the game install by clicking "Install" on the selected game. 
If this does not resolve your issue, please contact us for help.

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Game Preloading

What is preloading?
If your game is available for preload, you’ll be able to download the game before its release date to save some time so you can install and jump in to the game as soon as possible.

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When will I be charged for my game purchase?
You will be charged for the game on the date of pre-load release, and your statements will reflect this.

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How soon can I play my game?
Once the game file is downloaded, the Origin client will display a timer counting down to the time the product “unlocks.”

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Can I play immediately if my game is released?
Certain newer products will be ready to play immediately after download, while other products may require a “decrypting and unpacking” step before installation.
  • Decrypting and Unpacking to start the game installer can take 30-60 minutes depending on the game file size and computer speed. 
  • Once your game is unlocked, if may need to "decrypt" the downloaded file which will usually take 15-30 minutes, depending on your computer.
  • Once your game is decrypted, the file will “unpack” to the game installer folder which can take another 15-30 minutes, again, depending on your computer.
  • Once the product is unpacked, the customer will be able to "install" the game. Origin will show an "install" button. Clicking on the install button will start the game installer.
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Origin Uninstallation

How do I manually uninstall Origin?
To manually uninstall Origin, you will need to edit your system registry and remove the folders in a two-part process. This will remove all traces of Origin from your system.

Editing your computer's registry or files incorrectly can severely damage your operating system. We recommend having a computer professional perform these steps. If you are confident, however, that you can edit your registry successfully, then please follow the instructions below carefully.
NOTE: If you remove Origin, you will lose accessibility and playability to any downloaded games and manuals until you reinstall Origin.

Remove the Origin client files:
  1. From the Start menu, select Computer.
  2. Select the Hard Drive; by default, Origin is installed on the C: drive.
  3. Select the Program Files folder; on 64bit systems, this will be called Program Files (x86).
  4. Right-click the Origin folder and select Delete.
Backup the Windows registry:
  1. Hold down the Windows key and press R.
  2. At the Run command, type regedit and select OK.
  3. Select File, then Export.
  4. Under Export Range, select All.
  5. Choose a location and name for the backup file, then select Save.
Remove the Origin registry keys:
  1. Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder.
  2. Expand the SOFTWARE folder. 64bit players also need to expand the Wow6432node folder.
  3. Right-click the Origin folder and select Delete.
  4. Expand the Microsoft folder.
  5. Expand the Windows folder.
  6. Expand the CurrentVersion folder.
  7. Expand the Uninstall folder.
  8. Right-click the Origin folder and select Delete.
Remove the Origin program cache:
  1. From the Start menu, select Computer.
  2. Select the C: drive.
  3. Select the ProgramData folder.  If this folder does not appear, press Alt, select Tools, then Folder Options.  Select the View tab, then check Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
  4. Right-click the Origin folder and select Delete.
The Origin client has now been completely removed from your system.

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How do I manually uninstall Origin on Mac?
To manually uninstall Origin on MacOS, simply "Trash" Origin by dragging its executable to your Recycle Bin/Trash. This will uninstall Origin from your computer.

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Why do I need to back up files prior to uninstalling Origin?
If you uninstall Origin completely, it will remove files which validate that your games are up to date with the latest patch content and more.

If these files are removed, the next time you log back into the Origin client, Origin will begin re-downloading the entirety of all your games.

If you need to un-install and re-install Origin, but you have already fully installed Origin games, back up the following files before uninstalling Origin:
  • From the Start menu, select Computer, and navigate through your hard drive—usually the C: drive—to Program Data, then Origin, and finally DownloadCache.
  • Find and copy the files named “xxxxx.file_crcs” to another somewhere safe, like your Desktop.
  • Now uninstall then re-install the Origin client and move the .CRC files back into the DownloadCache folder.
When you run the Origin client, now your games shouldn’t try to redownload themselves.

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