Solitaire on Desktop: How to Download and Play the Game that Never Gets Old
How to Download Solitaire on Desktop
Solitaire is one of the most popular and classic card games that can be played by one person. It is also known as patience or cabale in some countries. Solitaire has many variations, such as Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, TriPeaks, and Pyramid. Solitaire is not only a fun and relaxing game, but also a great way to improve your memory, concentration, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. In this article, we will show you how to download solitaire on desktop for free, using different methods. But first, let's learn more about solitaire and why you should play it.
What is Solitaire and Why Should You Play It?
The History of Solitaire
The origins of solitaire are not very clear, but the earliest records of the game date back to the late 1700s across northern Europe and Scandinavia. The term Patiencespiel appeared in a German book published in 1788. Some experts believe that solitaire was originally used for fortune-telling or divination by cards. The game became popular in France and England in the 19th century, and was introduced to America by British settlers. The first English-language collection of solitaire games was published by Lady Adelaide Cadogan in 1870. The most common solitaire game is Klondike, which was also called Microsoft Solitaire in the Windows operating system since 1990.
download solitaire on desktop
The Benefits of Playing Solitaire
Playing solitaire has several benefits, including:
Soothes the mind and helps it enter into a light meditative state.
Provides entertainment and the perfect alone time.
Improves memory and mental skills.
Teaches important life lessons.
Promotes a positive sense of competitiveness.
Helps to relax and relieve stress.
Boosts mental health and improves thinking and strategy skills.
How to Download Solitaire on Desktop for Free
Using Microsoft Store
If you have Windows 10, you can download the Microsoft Solitaire Collection from the Microsoft Store for free. This app includes five solitaire games: Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, TriPeaks, and Pyramid. You can also play daily challenges, events, and achievements. To download the app, follow these steps:
Open Microsoft Store on your desktop.
Search for Microsoft Solitaire Collection and select it.
Select Install. The game will download and install automatically.
Select Play to launch the game.
You can also pin the game to your taskbar or start menu for easy access.
Using MEmu Emulator
If you want to play solitaire games that are available on Android devices, you can use an emulator like MEmu to run them on your desktop. MEmu is a free and powerful emulator that allows you to play thousands of Android games on your PC. To use MEmu to download solitaire on desktop, follow these steps:
Download MEmu installer from its official website and finish the setup.
Start MEmu and open Google Play on the desktop.
Search for solitaire games and choose the one you like.
Select Install. The game will download and install automatically.
Select Play to launch the game.
Using Windows XP Files
If you miss the classic solitaire games from earlier versions of Windows, such as Windows XP, you can still play them on your desktop by copying the files from an old computer or a virtual machine. To do this, follow these steps:
Open Windows Explorer on your old computer or a virtual machine. You can also download the files from the internet, but be careful of malware and viruses.
Navigate to C:\Windows\System32 and copy the files sol.exe and cards.dll to a USB drive or a cloud storage service.
Open Windows Explorer on your new computer and paste the files to a folder of your choice.
Double-click sol.exe to launch the game. You can also create a shortcut to the file on your desktop or taskbar.
Conclusion
Solitaire is a timeless and enjoyable game that can be played on your desktop for free. Whether you prefer the classic Windows solitaire games, the modern Microsoft Solitaire Collection, or the Android solitaire games, you can easily download and install them using the methods we have shown you in this article. Solitaire is not only a fun way to pass the time, but also a great way to exercise your brain and improve your mental skills. So, what are you waiting for? Download solitaire on desktop today and enjoy!
FAQs
Q: How do I play solitaire?
A: The rules of solitaire vary depending on the variation you choose, but the basic goal is to arrange all the cards in ascending order by suit on four foundation piles. You can move cards from the stock pile to the tableau piles or the foundation piles, following some restrictions. You can also move cards from one tableau pile to another, or from a tableau pile to a foundation pile. You win the game when all the cards are moved to the foundation piles.
Q: What are some tips and tricks for playing solitaire?
A: Some tips and tricks for playing solitaire are:
Always move an ace or a deuce to the foundation piles as soon as possible.
Try to keep some empty tableau piles available for moving longer sequences of cards.
Don't rush to move cards from the stock pile. Sometimes it's better to wait and see if you can use them later.
Use the undo button if you make a mistake or want to try a different move.
Practice and learn from your mistakes. Solitaire is a game of skill and strategy, not luck.
Q: What are some of the best solitaire games for desktop?
A: Some of the best solitaire games for desktop are:
Microsoft Solitaire Collection: This app includes five solitaire games: Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, TriPeaks, and Pyramid. You can also play daily challenges, events, and achievements.
SolSuite Solitaire: This app includes more than 700 solitaire games, with customizable rules, backgrounds, card sets, and statistics.
Pretty Good Solitaire: This app includes more than 1000 solitaire games, with undo, redo, autoplay, and hints features.
Q: How do I uninstall solitaire from my desktop?
A: To uninstall solitaire from your desktop, follow these steps:
If you downloaded solitaire from Microsoft Store, open Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Find Microsoft Solitaire Collection and select Uninstall.
If you downloaded solitaire using MEmu emulator, open MEmu and select System Apps > Settings > Apps. Find the solitaire game you want to uninstall and select Uninstall.
If you copied solitaire files from Windows XP, simply delete the files from your folder. You can also delete any shortcuts you created on your desktop or taskbar.
Q: How do I update solitaire on my desktop?
A: To update solitaire on your desktop, follow these steps:
If you downloaded solitaire from Microsoft Store, open Microsoft Store and select Downloads and updates > Get updates. Find Microsoft Solitaire Collection and select Update.
If you downloaded solitaire using MEmu emulator, open MEmu and select System Apps > Google Play Store. Find the solitaire game you want to update and select Update.
If you copied solitaire files from Windows XP, there is no need to update them as they are already the final version of the game.