Windows 7 / Getting Started

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Playing Games

If you have some free time, you can play some fun and exciting games. Windows Games Explorer provides tools to set up hardware, software and parental controls, options to get updates, and games you can play against the computer and other players online-Chess Titans, FreeCell, Hearts, Internet Backgammon, Internet Checkers, Internet Spades, Mahjong Titans, Minesweeper, Purble Place, Solitaire, and Spider Solitaire. When you start an Internet game, the game server finds players matched to your skill level and language from around the world. You can't select the players or locations of your opponents, but you can communicate with them by using the Chat controls.

Use Games Explorer

1. Click the Start button, and then click Games.
2. To access hardware and software tools to use with your games, click the Tools button on the toolbar, and then select a tool:
   • Hardware. Opens Hardware and Sound options.
   • Display Devices. Opens Screen Resolution options
   • Input Devices. Opens Games Controllers dialog box.
   • Audio Devices. Opens the Sound dialog box.
   • Windows Firewall. Opens Windows Firewall options.
   • Programs and Features. Opens Programs and Features options.
3. To access parental controls, click the Parental Controls button on the toolbar.
4. To set up game updates and options, click the Options button on the toolbar, select options to get game updates and news, or information.
5. To start a game, double-click the games icon.

Play a Game

1. Click the Start button, and then click Games.
2. Double-click the game you want.
3. Play the game.
4. When you're done, click the Game menu, and then click a command to start a new game with the same or different players, or exit the game.

Tip You can get more information about playing each game in Help. Start the game, click the Help menu, and then click Contents or Help Topics. You can access other Internet games online. Open your web browser, and then go to www.zone.msn.com. The MSN Games web site opens. Follow the online instructions and game Help to play the game you want.

Playing the Game

Game	Object is to
Chess Titans	Put your opponents' king in checkmate. Each player has one king. As you capture your opponent's pieces, strategize a way to capture the opposing king.
FreeCell	Stack the cards in the cells at the top in descending order, starting from any card, alternating the red and black cards.
Hearts	Score the lowest number of points, one point for each heart and 13 points for the Queen of Spades. You play a card to follow suit or a heart or the Queen of Spades when you can't follow suit.
Mahjong Titans	Remove all the tiles from the board by finding matching pairs of free tiles. Mahjong is a form of solitaire that is played with tiles instead of cards.
Minesweeper	Uncover all the squares that don't contain mines in the shortest amount of time. You use the numbers in the uncovered squares to determine which adjacent squares contain mines.
Purble Place	Teach colors, shapes, and pattern recognition.
Solitaire	Reveal all the cards that are turned face down by stacking them in descending order (alternating the red and black cards) on the lower piles, and stack them in ascending order from Ace through King by suit in the upper piles. You use the mouse to drag one card on top of another.
Spider Solitaire	Stack the cards by suit in one column in descending order.