If you’re a fan of classic Windows games like Minesweeper, Solitaire, and Hearts, you may have noticed that these games are missing from Windows 10 and 11. But don’t worry, it’s still possible to play these classic games on your modern operating system. In this article, we’ll discuss how to bring back the classic Windows 7 and XP games on Windows 10 and 11.

Step 1: Enable Desktop Experience

The first step is to enable Desktop Experience. This is a Windows feature that includes several desktop applications, including the classic Windows games. Here’s how to enable Desktop Experience on Windows 10:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.

2. Type “optionalfeatures” (without quotes) and click OK.

3. In the Windows Features dialog box, scroll down and locate Desktop Experience. Check the box next to it and click OK.

4. Wait for Windows to install the Desktop Experience feature. This may take a few minutes.

5. Restart your computer.

Step 2: Install Classic Windows Games

Now that you’ve enabled Desktop Experience, you can install the classic Windows games. Here’s how to install them:

1. After restarting your computer, open the Start menu and type “Microsoft Store.”

2. Click on Microsoft Store to launch it.

3. In the search bar of the Microsoft Store, type “Microsoft Solitaire Collection.” This will bring up the Microsoft Solitaire Collection app.

4. Click on the app and then click the Install button.

5. Wait for the app to download and install.

Repeat these steps for other classic Windows games, including Minesweeper and Hearts. You can also search for these games in the Microsoft Store.

Step 3: Launch Classic Windows Games

Now that you’ve installed the classic Windows games, you can launch them from the Start menu. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Start menu and locate the newly installed classic Windows games, such as Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Minesweeper, and Hearts.

2. Click on each game to launch it.

That’s it! You can now enjoy the classic Windows games on your modern operating system.

Conclusion

While Microsoft has removed some classic Windows games from Windows 10 and 11, it’s still possible to play them by enabling Desktop Experience and installing the games from the Microsoft Store. With these simple steps, you can enjoy Minesweeper, Solitaire, and Hearts just like you used to on earlier versions of Windows.