ERROR: Game Crashes (CTD)

Problem
My game crashes to the desktop without a warning

Info
When your game crashes, it usually leaves files (xcpt*.txt & *.mdmp) your user directory. You can analyze those with the Crash Log Analyzer by FordGT90Concept or simply delete. If the game does not write such files, the crash pinpoints to a hardware issue

Cause
There are many causes to this issue and so are the solutions. You can try the following suggestions. Make sure to save your game often under a different name and keep Backups of your stuff.

• Game Help:Data Execution Prevention (DEP)
  As of patch 1.22/Generations there is only one file that needs to be added and that is the ts3w.exe found in the base game installation folder. 
• Game Help:Late Night Crash
• Disable Custom Content
• Bypass the launcher and start the game through the ts3w.exe
• BAD CC: Crash / Absturz - Liste 
• Game Help:BasementPool Crash (same probably applies for the platform tool)
• Corrupt save games can cause crashes. Try saving your Sims to the bin and move them to a new hood.
• Play in windowed mode
• If you have only DirectX 10 or 11 on your system, try installing DirectX 9 as well
• For Vista / Win 7 Users (credit goes to CeeKaysSIM). Right-click on the shortcut/exe file, choose properties - compatibility and change the following setting (these are translation, the actual option might be called differently)
• Run in Windows XP (ServicePack 2) compatibility mode  
• Turn off visual design 
• Turn off desktop-design
• Run as administrator
• Large savegames require lots of RAM. Upgrade to a 64-bit operating system and 4-6 GB of RAM.
• Turn off all background programs
• Defective hardware
• clean out your computer (especially the ventilator)
• insufficient hardware  

Further Reading

• Game Help:Crash workarounds