Freecell. Spider Etc On Win 10

[Prudie]

I am avid daily player of freecell and spider solitaire. Having recently got a new laptop with Win 10 I DETEST the versions that came with it and the way they operate. Is there a way I can download the original format of these Microsoft standard games?

[Buenchico]

Microsoft have loads of freebies available for Windows 10, including
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/p/classic-freecell/9wzdncrdsnmn
and
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/p/classic-spider-solitaire-hd/9wzdncrdsm6r

To see more, start here
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/top-free/games/pc
and then use the 'Category' filters on the left to refine the list

[Prudie]

Thanks Chris, I'm sure others will value that - however I have downloaded the Freecell and it's similar to the Win 10 version, has added graphics, very small deck size, right click doesn't work (right click would automatically move any available cards to the right pile), doesn't look the same. I could go on. I know I'm being particular but I want the original package I had before. These are all copied versions.

[Buenchico]

The versions of Freecell, etc that were used in earlier editions of Windows simply aren't available in Windows 10. (Similar questions have been asked for years with, for example, people who'd moved onto Windows Vista bemoaning the fact that they'd not got the same games as they had on XP. It's yet another example of Microsoft's 'improvements' annoying people).

So all you can do is to look for version which are at least roughly similar to what you liked before. See the 'People Also Like' sections in my links.

This might also be relevant:
https://forums.windowscentral.com/ask-question/381858-how-bring-windows-7-free-cell-windows-10-a.html

[ubasses]

Try this, I think it is what Mr U used to get them back on my Win 10.
https://winaero.com/blog/get-windows-7-games-for-windows-10/

[ubasses]

This is the link to the actual download.
https://winaero.com/download.php?view.1836

[Prudie]

Many thanks I'll give that all a look in the light of day.
I don't suppose I can hard-drive it over from my old laptop??

[ubasses]

Sorry, Mr U says no.

[Buenchico]

>>> I don't suppose I can hard-drive it over from my old laptop?

No because there was never a set-up file to port across. (The games are an integral part of Windows).

If you're going to use the link provided by Ubasses remember to:
(a) run a virus scan on the downloaded file before running it ;
(b) take care that you don't install any 'optional extras' you might be offered ; and
(c) run a can with Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner after installing it.

Some websites give winaero.com a clean bill of health but there are some posts on the Web Of Trust site to suggest that there might be some malware bundled with downloads from there.

[ubasses]

One thing to be aware of, a big update on windows 10 a month or so ago wiped all the games off my PC and it had to be downloaded again. So it is a good idea to keep a note of the link somewhere.
Used it twice now and no problems with any gremlins on it, virus scan gave the all clear.