The version that comes with windows 11 is now with ads and you need to pay for a subscription to get rid of the ads.
Seriously, thank you for posting this. My dad’s computer needs an upgrade and most of what he does is the solitaire games on it. This would have been stroke inducing to discover after the fact.
Some-what related funny story: at my old job we removed the built-in games from Windows as part of our Windows 7 rollout. Most people didn’t even notice, but the director of public safety was so upset that he demanded (not just asked) we put them back on his computer. When we refused he went to his DOCTOR and got a note stating that he needed Solitaire on his work PC as it helped him manage his anxiety. I was flabbergasted.
So did you put it back ?
Yes, unfortunately in the end he got his way.
Why “unfortunately”? Surely there’s minimal security risk in having solitaire installed? And surely your workplace treats people like adults who can responsibly manage their own time and workload?
Because it undermines the departments authority to make decisions regarding the systems they manage. Sure him having solitaire in and of itself isn’t a big deal, but it sets precedence that decisions made by the department can be overridden if someone simply complains loudly enough. This could be particularly dangerous in the case of new or tightened security policy put forth by the department (this exact scenario did actually playout with another individual a few years later regarding password policy)
I agree completely. “Executives” basically anyone above a director level loves to throw their authority aeound. We recently got a new CEO and he wanted to get OneDrive working even though we’re a Google shop. At least 3 different teams had to adjust policy and then put him in his own Active Directory OU, because he said “we shouldn’t be in the business of telling employees what software they should use, we should just support it.”
Windows XP solitaire was peak gaming.
I miss the old Pinball 3D Space Cadet days
aparently the pinball game was a demo version of Full Tilt! Pinball , which you can get on abandonware sites.
not sure if it still works on modern windows tho.