Good day! I switched to Windows 8 (and then to Windows 8.1), in principle, at the time of the official release of this operating system. Although at first it was a little unaccustomed to using the new Start, on the whole I liked the operating system very much. It is much more convenient than the old systems. But I remember how surprised I was that Microsoft did not include standard games from Vista and Seven operating systems in a novelty. After all, these games were quite popular. Who among us has not played solitaire at work? Or a sapper who appeared in XP (if not earlier, I don't remember already). Of course, the games have not completely disappeared and are now available in the Store in an updated UI under the names Microsoft Minesweeper, Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Microsoft Mahjong (Mahjong itself). It is very easy to find them by entering the word Microsoft in the search.
But not everyone likes to use the Windows 8 series UI. Well, to be honest, the sapper's new "innovation theme" is just awful. Fortunately, there are good people who have already collected and packaged classic games from Windows 7 for installation on Windows 8 and 8.1 operating systems, moreover, the latest assembly already automatically detects the bitness of your operating system, so now you only need to download this installer. And run it.
After installation, in the list of programs, you will see a section with all the classic Microsoft games. And, of course, you can play them.
That's all. I hope this article was useful to you, click one of the buttons below to tell your friends about it.
Most of the games are delivered to the user's computer via the Internet, and in the form of images.
This is the first difficulty for a novice gamer - downloaded the file, and then what? Let's reveal all the secrets of programs for working with images of games.
What is a game image and what to do with it
You just have to imagine that the image file is a clone of the game DVD.
The term “Disk Image” (or “image” in English) means an absolute digital copy of the content. It contains all the information that is present in the original disc with the game.
Installing the game on windows 8
If a physical drive is required to read a regular DVD disc, then the image file needs a virtual drive in order to read it.
This virtual drive is, in most cases, the Daemon Tools program.
Step-by-step plan for installing DAEMON Tools
1. Download DAEMON Tools Lite from the official site for your Windows 8.
2. We proceed with the installation.
(Picture 1)
3. Everything is standard here - we press the "Next" button and select the necessary items.
(Figure 2)
4. After installation, an additional drive will appear in the system.
In the window - My Computer, we see a new virtual drive
(Figure 3)
Mounting an image in DAEMON Tools
5. Launch Deamon Tools and in the "Deamon Tools Lite Free License" window that opens, we find the "Add Image" button.
(Figure 4)
6. In the "Open" window that opens, we are looking for a folder with our downloaded game.
(Figure 5)
7. Having found and added the game file, go to the "Mount" button.
(Figure 6)
At first, the phrase "Mount image" instead of "Insert disc" causes confusion and stupor, but over time you get used to it.
Getting started installing the game
8. A disc with a game has appeared in our virtual drive, - we double-click on the disk drive icon to start Autorun or installation.
(Figure 7)
9. And the most common installation of a game from a DVD disc begins.
(Figure 8)
10. After installation, you can start the game.
An important nuance - the game can consist of several images. Then, as the game installer demands, you need to successively replace the image files in DAEMON Tools. This is done according to the same scheme - opened the program, selected the next image, clicked "Mount". The bootloader will continue to install on its own.
How to check if the game has been installed
If after installation the shortcut for the game is missing on the desktop, then move the cursor to the lower left corner of the screen and call the "Start" button (in the eight it is implemented in unusual ways).
Compatibility of programs with previous versions of the operating system is one of the main issues that Microsoft, the developer of Windows, takes into account without fail when publishing its next version. So, the OS, despite many innovations and an emphasis, first of all, on the market of portable computer equipment, supports almost all programs that were once developed for previous versions - XP, Vista, 7. For a minute, almost everything, but not everything in ideal.
So, when starting some programs written for Windows XP and earlier versions of the system, difficulties may arise: old programs either will not start at all, or will work incorrectly, with malfunctions. These are, of course, isolated cases, but if many programs have their own evolutionary versions, then with computer retro games everything is somewhat more complicated - many, for example, will not be able to indulge in frantic races and eternal escapes from the police in the old, nevertheless, the still popular 2005 game "NFS: Most Wanted". Fortunately, the system compatibility tools will help to solve this problem, with the help of which some old games or programs can be launched in compatibility mode with previous versions of Windows, in particular, XP.
1. What is Windows Compatibility Mode?
Simply put, when a program or game does not have internal data about the existence of a newer version of Windows, it naturally will not start in an unknown environment. And you can run it only in a special mode that ensures the compatibility of a newer version of Windows with an older one. And of course, the old program or game has data about the old version of the operating system. The compatibility mode is enabled by a certain system option. But, about everything in more detail.
2. Running old programs and games on Windows 8 / 8.1 in compatibility mode: step by step instructions
So, you have an old game or program installed on your computer that normally does not start on Windows 8 / 8.1. Or it starts up, but does not work correctly. Look for the shortcut to launch this game or program on the desktop or in the installation folder. Open the context menu on the file with the right mouse button. From this menu, select " Properties».
The file properties window will appear, where we are interested in the " Compatibility". This is where the system tool for ensuring compatibility of programs and games installed on Windows 8 / 8.1 with its earlier versions is located.
You will see the corresponding option - " Run the program in compatibility mode with"Next to which you need to check the box. Below, select from the drop-down list of all early versions of Windows exactly the version on which your game or program was launched and worked correctly - for example, Windows XP SP2. By the way, Windows XP is also represented in the list by separate service packs - separate fix packs that were released for this version of the system. Then click " Apply», « OK", Run the shortcut of the game or program and test.
Perhaps the first time you run your program or game in compatibility mode on Windows 8 / 8.1 will be unsuccessful - alas, in this operating system, a lot needs to be improved. Then it is worth trying to change the version of Windows, including different XP service packs. Most programs and games at one time were massively developed specifically for Windows XP. And most often software conflicts arise precisely between Windows XP and the latest versions of this OS - 7 and 8 / 8.1.
3. Other settings for compatibility mode
Tab " Compatibility The properties of a shortcut to a game or program has a number of other settings, we will consider them.
In chapter " Parameters»Are settings for displaying a game or program on the monitor screen.
3.1. Reduced color mode
Since many old games and program interfaces are adapted for old video cards with a low resolution - 640x480p, 800x600p, the launch of such games and programs must be carried out in low color mode. Modern video cards (even budget office ones) and monitors reproduce a 24-bit color palette on the screen. The reduced color mode will provide old games and programs with just such a display on the monitor screen, for which these games and programs were designed at one time during development. If this is your case, check the box next to the “ Reduced color mode»And from the drop-down list select the desired color depth - 8- or 16-bit color.
3.2. Run at 640 × 480p
The second option of launch parameters in compatibility mode does not require any special comments, since everything is obvious - it is designed to run old games and programs with a screen resolution of 640x480p, which with modern video cards and monitors is not even displayed in the display settings.
3.3. Disable image scaling on modern high-resolution monitors
If an old game or the interface of an old program is displayed distorted on a modern monitor with a high resolution, you can use the third option of launch parameters in compatibility mode.
It turns off the scaling of the image on the screen.
3.4. Apply settings for all accounts
All the settings you made in the " Compatibility"The properties of the shortcut of the game or program are remembered by the system, and when you restart it, you will not need to configure anything. If you log into Windows 8 / 8.1 under a different account, the new user will have to configure everything on their own. Therefore, if there are several accounts on your computer or laptop, having administrator rights, you can use the option to change the parameters " for all users».
And then the compatibility mode will work for everyone who has access to the device from different accounts.
Summing up ...
As mentioned, only some older games and programs can run in compatibility mode, but not all. It is possible that your efforts may not be crowned with success, and you will not be able to run some of the old games and programs on Windows 8 / 8.1. But this is not a reason to be upset - you can install a program for creating a virtual computer (for example or), create one, install any old version of Windows on it and install the old game or program into it. This method is much more reliable than the compatibility mode of Windows 8 / 8.1 with older versions. True, your computer or laptop should have more or less powerful hardware - programs for working with virtual computers such as Virtual Dub or VMware Workstation do not like weak, always slowing down machines. After all, then the hardware capacities will have to be divided in half, and one can only dream of high-speed performance.
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Bringing back standard games to Windows 8
Method number 1
The brainchild of Bill Gates began to frequently release new versions of Windows, simultaneously cutting back on standard games. But still, some of the games remained in Windows 8. To find them, you need to go to the Start-Application Store
In the search, drive Microsoft. We will be given a list of search results, where you can find and install Microsoft Solitaire Collection (spider, scarf, solitaire), Microsoft Minesweeper (favorite sapper), Microsoft Mahjong (mahjong).
Click on the desired game and click install.
Method number 2
But I don't really like the new interface of the solitaire, and after spending several days on the forums and sites, I came across the fruit of the labor of kind people-enthusiasts specially cut out all the games for Windows 7 and developed an installer for our convenience. I'm just grateful to these people. As for the installation, everything is simple:
We download the Microsoft game installer from previous versions from the site, run the exe-file, a window pops up with a warning, click ok, select the installation language, click next to select the folder for installation, click next and wait for the installation to finish. Now go to the folder that you specified during installation or press Start, select Games in the catalog and voila!
A complete set of standard games from previous versions: here you have a sapper, a scarf, a solitaire, and legendary chess, and ping-pong, and Purble Place, and backgammon - what else do you need to be completely happy? You also have a game browser to manage and organize your favorite games. These instructions are also valid for version 8.1
Bringing back standard games to Windows 10
In the top ten, practically nothing has changed, so the setting of standard games looks the same.
Method number 1
As in the eight, a stripped-down set of games can be found in the Microsoft app store along the Start-app store path and in the search, drive Microsoft and install the ones you need.
In the search, enter the name of the standard game we need and install it.
Method number 2
The installation of a collection of games looks similar, only from a different source.
We unpack using 7-Zip or WinRAR to the desired folder, launch the installer, a warning pops up, click OK, we will be prompted to select the language, select the games that we want to install, select the folder for installation and wait for the installation process to complete. If you selected the default folder, then go to Start-computer-drive C-program files –microsoft games and select the game. Also, for quick access, you can make a shortcut for each game on the desktop.
Here I described the currently relevant ways to feel nostalgic and play old games on Windows 8, 8, 1 and 10. Perhaps they will come up with new solutions to this problem, but so far the most effective and reliable are described above. I hope this article helped you and gave you faith that not all is lost for the latest versions of Windows.
How do I get the default games back?
Many have forgotten about the standard games, but there are still those who remember and love to play old solitaire and sapper. Unfortunately, they are not installed in new versions of operating systems, but there is a solution that will help you resume and enjoy the legendary creations.
The return of standard games to Windows 8
The first way
The emergence of new technologies in the gaming industry affected everyone, and Bill Gates had to adapt Windows to the change, which led to a loss of interest in standard games. But still, it is possible to restore your favorite masterpieces. You need to go to the Official App Store, which is installed in every Windows, starting from 7 and up.
There you need to enter the word Microsoft into the search box. Then you will see the search results: Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Microsoft Minesweeper, Microsoft Mahjong, which must be downloaded to your pc.
Second way
But all games have been redesigned and fitted in the Flat style, or as it is called flat style. For those who prefer the old design, kind people separated the standard windows games and made a separate file. Thus, they can be installed in the same way as modern ones.
Download standard games for Windows 8
After downloading the installer, launch it by clicking on the file - exe, and everything is as usual: we select the priority language of the game, we determine in which folder the installation will be made, and wait for the installation to complete.
Next, you can find the installed standard games in the folder that you chose for installation, or go to Start Games, and hurray! There will be standard games from all previous Windows operating systems. This instruction can also be used in Windows 8.1.
The return of standard games to Windows 10
In Windows 10, apart from the design and some additional functions, nothing has been changed, so the return of standard games is completely identical.
The first way
Similar: start the Microsoft Official Application Store, search query (Microsoft), select a game to download.
Second way
Download standard games for Windows 10.
Attention: you must have the WinRAR archiver installed in advance.
We open the downloaded file with an archiver, start the installation of games, you will see a list of different standard games, select those that you like, select the path to install the games and wait for the process to complete. I advise you to create a folder on the desktop (standard games), and copy the shortcuts there to launch games.
We hope that this material was useful for you, and we wish you a pleasant time playing with your favorite old toys.
