Instead, rename your Sims 2 folder to 'Sims 2 play' and the game will generate a new version. You then need to quit the game, go to the new Sims 2 folder and create a 'Downloads' folder in that. Put your stuff you want to look at in there-fire up the game and voila!
Thats what I do to sort and test new downloads. (I also have another Sims 2 folder that has no CC or hacks to make my lots in)
I got this info from
www.simlogical.com (Thanks Inge
)