List of games included with Windows

Games have been included in versions of Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, starting from Windows 3.1, all published by Microsoft. Some games that have previously appeared in Microsoft Entertainment Pack have been included in some versions of Windows as well. With the exception of Windows 8, Solitaire has been included in every version of Windows since 3.1.


History

Solitaire was developed in 1988 by the intern Wes Cherry.[1][2][3] The card deck itself was designed by Macintosh pioneer Susan Kare.[4] Cherry's version was to include a boss key that would have switched the game to a fake Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, but he was asked to remove this from the final release.[5]

Microsoft intended Solitaire "to soothe people intimidated by the operating system," and at a time where many users were still unfamiliar with graphical user interfaces, it proved useful in familiarizing them with the use of a mouse, such as the drag-and-drop technique required for moving cards.[6]

According to Microsoft telemetry, Solitaire was among the three most-used Windows programs and FreeCell was seventh, ahead of Word and Microsoft Excel.[7][7] Lost business productivity by employees playing Solitaire has become a common concern since it became standard on Microsoft Windows.[8]

Solitaire celebrated its 25th anniversary on May 18, 2015. To celebrate this event, Microsoft hosted a Solitaire tournament on the Microsoft campus and broadcast the main event on Twitch.[9] By its 30th anniversary in 2020, it was estimated that the game still had 35 million active monthly players and more than 100 million games played daily, according to Microsoft.[10]

Included games

Included with Windows 3.1

Included with Windows 95
  • Solitaire[12]
  • Minesweeper

Included with Windows 98

Included with Windows 2000

Included with Windows Me and Windows XP

Support for Internet games on Windows Me and XP have ended on July 31, 2019.[15][16][17]

  • Solitaire
  • Minesweeper
  • FreeCell
  • Hearts
  • Spider Solitaire
  • 3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet
  • Internet Backgammon
  • Internet Checkers
  • Internet Hearts
  • Internet Reversi
  • Internet Spades

Included with Windows Vista

Included with Windows 7

Support for Internet games on Windows 7 has ended on January 22, 2020.[15][19]

  • Solitaire
  • Minesweeper
  • FreeCell
  • Hearts
  • Spider Solitaire
  • Internet Backgammon
  • Internet Checkers
  • Internet Spades
  • Mahjong Titans
  • Purble Place
  • Chess Titans

Microsoft Casual Games for Windows 8 and Windows 10

Starting from Windows 8 onwards, updated versions of previously bundled games are now under the brand Microsoft Casual Games, in addition to several brand new games. With the exception of Microsoft Solitaire Collection being included in Windows 10, these games are not included with Windows and are instead available as ad-supported free downloads in Microsoft Store.[20] Premium monthly and annual subscriptions are available, which removes advertisements and offers several gameplay benefits. This move that has been criticized by reviewers as a way to "nickel and dime" users, since previous versions of Solitaire and previously bundled games did not have any advertisements or paid subscriptions.[21]

See also

References
  1. Farokhmanesh, Megan (April 13, 2017). "A bored intern created the original Windows Solitaire". The Verge. Vox Media.
  2. Cherry, Wes. "Interview with Wes Cherry - B3TA.com 2008". B3ta.com. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  3. "Wes Cherry on Reddit about Solitaire".
  4. "Susan Kare personal website showing her design for Microsoft Solitaire". Kare.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  5. Warren, Tom (May 22, 2020). "Microsoft Solitaire turns 30 years old today and still has 35 million monthly players". The Verge. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  6. Garreau, Joel (March 9, 1994). "Office Minefield". The Washington Post.
  7. Dear, Brian (2017). "27. Leaving the Nest". The Friendly Orange Glow. New York: Pantheon Books. pp. 502–503. ISBN 9781101871560.
  8. Church, George J. (October 12, 1998). "Quarterly Business Report: Do Computers Really Save Money?". Time. Time Inc.
  9. "Celebrating Microsoft Solitaire". Blogging Windows. Microsoft. May 18, 2015.
  10. Dent, Steve (May 22, 2020). "Microsoft's classic Solitaire game is 30 today". Engadget. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  11. "Microsoft Windows 3.1 Included Games". Mobygames. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  12. "Microsoft Windows 95 Included Games". Mobygames. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  13. "Microsoft Windows 98/98SE Included Games". Mobygames. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  14. "Microsoft Windows 2000 Included Games". Mobygames. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  15. "Farewell to Microsoft Internet Games on Windows XP, Windows ME, and Windows 7". Microsoft Community. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  16. "Microsoft Windows ME Included Games". Mobygames. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  17. "Microsoft Windows XP Included Games". Mobygames. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  18. "Games Included With Windows Vista". Lifewire. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  19. "The List of Games That Come With Windows 7". Lifewire. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  20. "Microsoft Casual Games FAQ". Microsoft. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  21. Walker, Alissa (29 July 2015). "If You Want Microsoft Solitaire Ad-Free It'll Cost You $10/Year". Gizmodo. Gawker Media.
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