How to get the XP version of Spider Solitaire?

Anonymous
2011-02-05T22:47:24+00:00

I used to sit around playing Spider Solitaire on my XP machine.  Well I got a new Windows 7 machine and the new version of Spider Solitaire sucks - to put it mildly.  Is there any way to get back to the old XP version that was fun to play?

*original title - I want the XP version of Spider Solitaire, the new version sucks

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Gaming

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Anonymous
2011-12-08T20:05:07+00:00

I just managed to get XP version of Solitaire to play on a Windows 7 machine.

In a separate folder, just put cards.dll file and sol.exe and you are good to go!

The Windows7 version of Solitaire is so fuzzy that it is unusable and gives you a headache.

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Anonymous
2011-02-23T18:47:09+00:00

Hello,

For users with Windows 7 Ultimate, Professional, or Enterprise, you can installXP Mode and use the games.

While most users are enjoying the Windows 7 experience and all the new features and abilities it has there are some that prefer the look of the games from Windows XP. While the functionality and game play has not changed the look has.For those of you that prefer the style of the XP versions of the Windows games on your Windows 7 PC, here are instructions to help you getting the XP versions up and running.

**You need to have a valid copy of Windows XP**

In Windows XP, use Windows explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32.**Note that the Windows folder and System 32 folder will hide the contents of the folder by default.This is because there are system files in these locations and you should take care when navigating in these folders.** Copy the following files to a USB memory stick, or CD (whatever means you have to move files):

cards.dll

freecell.exe

mshearts.exe

sol.exe

spider.chm

spider.exe

spider.hlp

winmine.exe

Then on your Windows 7 PC, create a folder (do not put it in the Windows\system32 folder) and paste those files into the folder. Now you can either open the folder and launch games from there, or create shortcuts to the games and place them on your desktop.

For the Pinball game, it has its own folder located at C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Pinball.You can copy the entire Pinball folder and then move it to your Windows 7 PC.**Do not put it in the C:\Program Files\Windows NT folder.**You should put it in the same folder with the card games (if you moved some of those).

Thank you,


Aaron

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-05-04T06:02:02+00:00

    Thanks for your response.  I have Home Premium so I can't get the XP version.  I have no idea why Microsoft ruined Spider Solitaire.  I am not a game player, and Spider was the only game I ever enjoyed playing.  I have seen many other posts asking about this problem.  I don't see why Microsoft couldn't make it available as a download under a different name.  I would gladly get rid of every other game they included with Windows 7.

    I am in exactly the same boat. It is the only game that I played except for flight simulator.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-05-04T15:25:50+00:00

    Thanks for your response.  I have Home Premium so I can't get the XP version.  I have no idea why Microsoft ruined Spider Solitaire.  I am not a game player, and Spider was the only game I ever enjoyed playing.  I have seen many other posts asking about this problem.  I don't see why Microsoft couldn't make it available as a download under a different name.  I would gladly get rid of every other game they included with Windows 7.

    I am in exactly the same boat. It is the only game that I played except for flight simulator.

    @Brian 634:

    I have Windows 7 Home Premium and put the XP version of Spider Solitaire on it. Actually 1 year ago today, I followed Aaron's instructions which is the 2nd comment of this discussion. In order to do this, you need to have a working XP or have a friend that has one. I have my XP and put the XP games on a Flash Drive and then installed them to my Win7.

    Let me know if that works for you. I posted step by step instructions for another user, but I think it's on another discussion. I'll try to find it if you like.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-05-04T21:40:38+00:00

    I was able to copy the XP files for the games from my original XP installation disk. They are intact and not part of a compiled file. I don't remember exactly which directory they were in but they are there.

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