Windows 7 / Getting Started

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

GameObject is to
Chess TitansPut 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.
FreeCellStack the cards in the cells at the top in descending order, starting from any card, alternating the red and black cards.
HeartsScore 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 TitansRemove 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.
MinesweeperUncover 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 PlaceTeach colors, shapes, and pattern recognition.
SolitaireReveal 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 SolitaireStack the cards by suit in one column in descending order.
[Previous] [Contents] [Next]

In this tutorial:

  1. Working with Windows Programs
  2. Starting and Exiting a Program
  3. Changing the Way a Program Starts
  4. Using Windows Accessories
  5. Creating a Document
  6. Editing Text
  7. Formatting Text
  8. Setting Paragraph Tabs
  9. Setting Paragraph Indents
  10. Previewing and Printing a Document
  11. Saving and Closing a Document
  12. Sharing Information Among Programs
  13. Inserting and Editing Information
  14. Linking and Updating Information
  15. Inserting Special Characters
  16. Calculating Numbers
  17. Running Commands
  18. Playing Games
  19. Snipping the Screen
  20. Running Older Programs
  21. Quitting a Program Not Responding