List of games included with Windows#Microsoft Casual Games
{{Short description|Windows bundled video games list}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
File:Solitaire 10.png has been included in every version of Windows since Windows 3.0, except Windows 8 and 8.1.]]
Video games have been included in versions of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, starting from Windows 1.0, all published by Microsoft. Some games that have appeared in Microsoft Entertainment Pack and Microsoft Plus! have been included in subsequent versions of Windows as well. Microsoft Solitaire has been included in every version of Windows since Windows 3.0, except Windows 8 and 8.1. The latest version of Windows, Windows 11, includes Microsoft Solitaire Collection and Surf.
History
Microsoft planned to include games when developing Windows 1.0 in 1983–1984. Pre-release versions of Windows 1.0 initially included another game, Puzzle, but it was scrapped in favor of Reversi, based on the board game of the same name.{{cite web |title=PUZZLE on Windows 1.01, Windows 2.03 and Windows 3.00 – BetaArchive |url=https://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38080 |website=www.betaarchive.com |access-date=5 January 2022 |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808223000/https://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38080 |url-status=live }} Reversi was included in Windows versions up to Windows 3.1. Solitaire was developed in 1988 by the intern Wes Cherry.{{cite web|last1=Farokhmanesh|first1=Megan|title=A bored intern created the original Windows Solitaire|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/13/15285780/windows-solitaire-original-bored-intern|website=The Verge|publisher=Vox Media|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=January 12, 2021|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111233230/https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/13/15285780/windows-solitaire-original-bored-intern|url-status=live}}{{cite web | url=http://b3ta.com/interview/solitaire/ | title=Interview with Wes Cherry – B3TA.com 2008 | work=B3ta.com | access-date=August 22, 2014 | first=Wes | last=Cherry | archive-date=February 22, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222001202/http://b3ta.com/interview/solitaire/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/3zfadv/til_that_microsoft_solitaire_was_developed_by_a/cylwpua | title=Wes Cherry on Reddit about Solitaire | date=4 January 2016 | access-date=January 12, 2021 | archive-date=July 11, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711143949/https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/3zfadv/til_that_microsoft_solitaire_was_developed_by_a/cylwpua/ | url-status=live }} The card deck itself was designed by Susan Kare, who was known for her work on icon designs for the original Macintosh.{{cite web|url=http://kare.com/portfolio/17_microsoft_solataire.html |title=Susan Kare personal website showing her design for Microsoft Solitaire |work=Kare.com |access-date=August 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828192347/http://kare.com/portfolio/17_microsoft_solataire.html |archive-date=August 28, 2008 |url-status=dead }}
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.{{Cite news |first=Joel |last=Garreau |author-link=Joel Garreau |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1994/03/09/office-minefield/3b74132a-5f0a-455f-a04e-6171d023149b/ |title=Office Minefield |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 9, 1994 |access-date=January 12, 2021 |archive-date=March 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323171035/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1994/03/09/office-minefield/3b74132a-5f0a-455f-a04e-6171d023149b/ |url-status=live }} According to Microsoft telemetry, Solitaire was among the three most-used Windows programs and FreeCell was seventh, ahead of productivity-based applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.{{r|dear2017}}{{Cite book |title=The Friendly Orange Glow |last=Dear |first=Brian |publisher=Pantheon Books |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-101-87156-0 |location=New York |pages=502–503 |chapter=27. Leaving the Nest}} Lost business productivity by employees playing Solitaire became a common concern since the game was included in Windows by default.{{cite magazine | url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989274-4,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107105842/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989274-4,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 7, 2007 | title=Quarterly Business Report: Do Computers Really Save Money? | publisher=Time Inc. | magazine=Time | date=October 12, 1998 | last=Church | first=George J.}}
FreeCell was introduced as a bundled game in Windows NT 3.1. The game was available for Windows 3.1, as it was included in installations of Win32s for the purposes of verifying that the 32-bit thunking layer was installed correctly.{{Cite web |title=How to Troubleshoot Win32s Installation Problems |url=https://web.mit.edu/cascon/microsoft/q106715.htm |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=web.mit.edu}}
The Microsoft Hearts Network was included with Windows for Workgroups 3.1, as a showcase of NetDDE technology by enabling multiple players to play simultaneously across a computer network.{{cite news | title = Open Windows for Workgroups | author = Craig Stinson | date = June 15, 1993 | magazine = PC Magazine | page = 292 | access-date = January 20, 2017 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=jMKfH6i9OcYC&q=PC+Magazine&pg=PA292 | archive-date = August 22, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210822074537/https://books.google.com/books?id=jMKfH6i9OcYC&q=PC%20Magazine&pg=PA292 | url-status = live }} This technology would lead to the inclusion of various online multiplayer titles under the Internet brand, which were included in Windows Me, XP and 7, alongside other online multiplayer-based titles.{{Cite web |title=Farewell to Microsoft Internet Games on Windows XP, Windows ME, and Windows 7 |url=https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-gaming/farewell-to-microsoft-internet-games-on-windows-xp/035d5144-6c1b-49bb-b3d5-37f6355fec39?auth=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925085733/https://login.microsoftonline.com/common/oauth2/v2.0/authorize?client_id=a81d90ac-aa75-4cf8-b14c-58bf348528fe&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fanswers.microsoft.com&response_type=code%20id_token&scope=openid%20profile&state=OpenIdConnect.AuthenticationProperties%3DbFSoSfvaMQuHsHoTwkL0B4XT9WL4UkaigG_0CkVNoYREdb5eT1bUx1zs7jPFeog3tklOrYKHu0xDSi1HQdES_IPjqVXNrW_oCFrQqp5jTV2hNDIM5m1U3dNTTfechyIl62_KmOYOVxwc39cckvQ0QyENcFoC8xvQaPcTyCXLaZeAVE7aQzEzKBtQktZ6izRT6W0lmAnKFTI9Mcyt9cpyRsB9GIKEXST7s6LiCSK-QL_lJnVsAXTqX5F4QxRC6fGiQr0vssqK6aiFGpfmdlAlGKg5v5PNel_jzMcNjRzBmC-2-tIDmZhkueV0kFqD45bJeVXXeFyucSKPLkaod2OwPIYyTid4iomGfGUIlWTz5QI&response_mode=form_post&nonce=637996930531809696.OTY3ZmRhMTItZjNkOC00ODAyLWI1ZDYtZjk2MWRjY2Y2MjM5NmRhOThlYTAtMDI1Mi00ZGVjLWJkNzctNDliNzQ5NzZlNjRm&prompt=none&x-client-SKU=ID_NET472&x-client-ver=6.17.0.0&sso_reload=true |archive-date=September 25, 2022 |access-date=January 10, 2021 |publisher=Microsoft Community}} Support for Internet games for Windows Me and XP ended on July 31, 2019, and for Windows 7 on January 22, 2020. 3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet is a version of the "Space Cadet" pinball table from the 1995 video game Full Tilt! Pinball.{{Cite web |last=updated |first=Zac Bowden last |date=May 20, 2022 |title=Windows features we loved and miss from earlier OS versions |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/look-back-some-best-features-older-versions-windows |access-date=2023-12-25 |website=Windows Central |language=en}}
In Minesweeper for Windows Vista and 7, the game comes with an alternate "Flower Garden" style, alongside the default "Minesweeper" style.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2007/02/column_beyond_tetris_minesweep.php |title=Column from Tony "Tablesaw" Delgado about puzzle games |publisher=Gamesetwatch.com |date=2007-02-26 |access-date=2011-06-22 |archive-date=2018-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011125507/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2007/02/column_beyond_tetris_minesweep.php |url-status=dead }} This is due to controversy over the original land mine theme of the game being potentially insensitive, and the "Flower Garden" style was used as the default theme in "sensitive areas".{{Cite web|url=https://www.instantfundas.com/2010/02/minesweeper-controversy-how-flower.html|title=The Minesweeper Controversy: How Flower Garden came into Windows Vista|last=Kaushik|date=10 February 2010|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-28|archive-date=January 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130033825/https://www.instantfundas.com/2010/02/minesweeper-controversy-how-flower.html|url-status=live}}
Several third party games, such as Candy Crush Saga and Disney Magic Kingdoms, have been included as advertisements on the Start menu in Windows 10, and may also be automatically installed by the operating system.{{Cite web|last=Webster|first=Andrew|date=2015-05-14|title=Candy Crush will be automatically installed on Windows 10|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/5/14/8606925/candy-crush-saga-windows-10|access-date=2021-10-31|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031123351/https://www.theverge.com/2015/5/14/8606925/candy-crush-saga-windows-10|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Bott|first=Ed|title=Avoid Windows 10 crapware: How to get rid of Candy Crush and all the rest|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-steer-clear-of-windows-10s-built-in-crapware/|access-date=2021-10-31|website=ZDNet|language=en|archive-date=October 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031123351/https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-steer-clear-of-windows-10s-built-in-crapware/|url-status=live}} Windows 11 includes the Xbox app, which allows users to access the PC Game Pass video game subscription service.{{cite web |last1=Tuttle |first1=Will |title=Available Now: Windows 11 is Built for Gaming |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/10/04/windows-11-built-for-gaming/ |website=Xbox Wire |access-date=13 December 2021 |date=4 October 2021 |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324224921/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/10/04/windows-11-built-for-gaming/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Minor |first1=Jordan |title=With Windows 11, Microsoft Makes Every PC an Xbox |url=https://in.pcmag.com/migrated-65955-windows-10/146461/with-windows-11-microsoft-makes-every-pc-an-xbox |website=PCMag India |access-date=13 December 2021 |language=en-in |date=23 November 2021 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224084709/https://in.pcmag.com/migrated-65955-windows-10/146461/with-windows-11-microsoft-makes-every-pc-an-xbox |url-status=live }} Additionally, versions of the Microsoft Edge browser from 2020 onwards (bundled with Windows 10 and 11) include the Surf game.{{cite web |last1=Warren |first1=Tom |title=Microsoft is adding a secret SkiFree-like surfing game into its Edge browser |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/26/21154821/microsoft-edge-surf-game-easter-egg-secret-skifree-modes |website=The Verge |access-date=4 January 2023 |date=26 February 2020 |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602165728/https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/26/21154821/microsoft-edge-surf-game-easter-egg-secret-skifree-modes |url-status=live }}
= Microsoft Casual Games =
Starting from 2012 onwards, with the release of Windows 8, 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 Solitaire Collection being included in Windows 10 and 11, these games are not included with Windows, and are instead available as ad-supported free downloads in Microsoft Store.{{Cite web|url=https://support.xbox.com/en-us/help/games-apps/game-titles/microsoft-casual-games-faq|title=Microsoft Casual Games FAQ|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=January 10, 2021|archive-date=January 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110142805/https://support.xbox.com/en-us/help/games-apps/game-titles/microsoft-casual-games-faq|url-status=live}}
Premium monthly and annual subscriptions are available, which removes advertisements and offers several gameplay benefits, a 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 include any advertisements or paid subscriptions.{{cite web | url=https://gizmodo.com/if-you-want-microsoft-solitaire-ad-free-itll-cost-you-1720951270 | title=If You Want Microsoft Solitaire Ad-Free It'll Cost You $10/Year | publisher=Gawker Media | work=Gizmodo | date=29 July 2015 | first=Alissa | last=Walker | access-date=January 11, 2021 | archive-date=December 16, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201244/https://gizmodo.com/if-you-want-microsoft-solitaire-ad-free-itll-cost-you-1720951270 | url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Hackman |first=Mark |title=Microsoft wants you to pay for Solitaire, again, in Windows 10 |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/422732/microsoft-wants-you-to-pay-for-solitaire-again-in-windows-10.html |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=PCWorld |language=en |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206085446/https://www.pcworld.com/article/422732/microsoft-wants-you-to-pay-for-solitaire-again-in-windows-10.html |url-status=live }} There are five Windows games under the Microsoft Casual Games banner:{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Casual Games |url=https://microsoftcasualgames.com/ |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=microsoftcasualgames.com}}
- Solitaire Collection
- Minesweeper
- Mahjong
- Ultimate Word Games
- Treasure Hunt
- Sudoku
- Jigsaw
Included games
{{More citations needed section|date=December 2023}}
| class="wikitable" |
| scope="col" colspan="17" style="text-align:center;" | Games included with Microsoft Windows releases |
|---|
| style="min-width: 150px;" |
! style="width: 4%;" |1.0 ! style="width: 4%;" |2.0 and 2.1 ! style="width: 4%;" |3.0 ! style="width: 4%;" |3.1 ! style="width: 7%;" |{{nowrap|NT 3.1}}, {{nowrap|NT 3.5}} and {{nowrap|NT 3.51}} ! style="width: 4%;" |95 ! style="width: 4%;" |NT 4.0 ! style="width: 4%;" |98 ! style="width: 4%;" |2000 ! style="width: 4%;" |Me ! style="width: 4%;" |XP ! style="width: 4%;" |Vista ! style="width: 4%;" |7 ! style="width: 4%;" |8 and 8.1 ! style="width: 4%;" |10 ! style="width: 4%;" |11 |
| Reversi
| {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| Solitaire
| colspan="2" {{n/a}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Ya}}{{efn|name=MSC}} || {{Ya}}{{efn|name=MSC|As part of Microsoft Solitaire Collection}} |
| Minesweeper
| colspan="3" {{n/a}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| Hearts
| colspan="3" {{n/a}} || {{MaybeCheck}}{{efn|Only included with Windows for Workgroups 3.1}} || {{Na}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| FreeCell
| colspan="4" {{n/a}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Ya}}{{efn|name=MSC}} || {{Ya}}{{efn|name=MSC}} |
| Hover!
| colspan="5" {{n/a}} || {{MaybeCheck}}{{efn|Only included with CD-ROM version}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| 3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet
| colspan="6" {{n/a}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| Internet Backgammon
| colspan="9" {{n/a}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| Internet Checkers
| colspan="9" {{n/a}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| Internet Hearts
| colspan="9" {{n/a}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| Internet Reversi
| colspan="9" {{n/a}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| Internet Spades
| colspan="9" {{n/a}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| Spider Solitaire
| colspan="9" {{n/a}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Ya}}{{efn|name=MSC}} || {{Ya}}{{efn|name=MSC}} |
| Inkball
| colspan="10" {{n/a}} || {{MaybeCheck}}{{efn|Only included with Tablet PC Edition}} || {{MaybeCheck}}{{efn|name=Vista}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| Purble Place
| colspan="11" {{n/a}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| Mahjong Titans
| colspan="11" {{n/a}} || {{MaybeCheck}}{{efn|name=Vista}} || {{MaybeCheck}}{{efn|name=W7}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| Chess Titans
| colspan="11" {{n/a}} || {{MaybeCheck}}{{efn|name=Vista|Only included with Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions}} || {{MaybeCheck}}{{efn|name=W7|Only included with Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| Tinker
| colspan="11" {{n/a}} || {{MaybeCheck}}{{efn|name=Ultimate|Only included with Ultimate edition}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| Hold 'Em
| colspan="11" {{n/a}} || {{MaybeCheck}}{{efn|name=Ultimate}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} || {{Na}} |
| Solitaire Collection
| colspan="14" {{n/a}} || {{Ya}} || {{Ya}} |
| Surf
| colspan="14" {{n/a}} || {{MaybeCheck}}{{efn|Included via the Microsoft Edge browser from 2020 onwards}} || {{Ya}}{{efn|Included via the Microsoft Edge browser}} |
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
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External links
- [https://microsoftcasualgames.com/ Microsoft Casual Games website]
{{Windows Components}}
{{Microsoft game products}}
{{Xbox Game Studios}}