Why did Microsoft leave Internet Backgammon ... Internet Hearts ... etc out of Windows 8.1? I really miss it and would like to find a way to have it on my new laptop.

Can you help?

Hi,

You can install game app from Windows Store

http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/backgammon-pro/3f179c37-ed75-4d81-9495-2702e407d778

Gaming in Windows 8.1

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-8/solitaire-minesweeper-hearts

Regards.

It's just another sign that Microsoft wants to manipulate people that the desktop games were removed.

They can't just be copied from Win 7 - there's code inside them that checks to ensure they're running only on the version of Windows they were shipped with.  Which is kind of ridiculous, because with hacks to avert just the version checks people have found them to work just fine on Windows 8.1.  An internet search can turn up the hacks.

You must install the following DLLs into C:Windows\System32 of you Windows 8 computer regardless of the version of Windows 8 that you have, 8, 8.1 or 8.1 Pro.  It will ever install on Windows 10.

If you have WIndows 8.1 Pro, some may be already there,  If not you must get them from a computer that has Windows 8.1 Pro.

cmncliM.dll found in WIndows 8.1 Pro C:\Windows/System32

  -- install into Windows\System32 if not there already

zgmprxy.cll found in Windows 8.1 Pro C:\Windows/System32

  -- install into C:\Windows\System32 if not there already

cmncliM.dll.mui found in WIndows 7 Window\System32\en-US or whatever language you are using

  -- install into C:\Windows\System32\en-US  or whatever language you are using.

To play the card games, one more install:

CardGames found in WIndows 7 Window\System32

  -- install into C:\Windows\System32

Tony