How to Play Solitaire on Windows 11

Solitaire on Windows 11: A Legacy Continues

Solitaire and Windows have been inseparable since 1990, when Microsoft first included Klondike Solitaire in Windows 3.0. That decision transformed a centuries-old card game into a global digital phenomenon and created a tradition that continues with Windows 11. Today, the Microsoft Solitaire Collection comes pre-installed on every Windows 11 computer, offering five classic solitaire games with modern features and polished graphics.

The Microsoft Solitaire Collection represents the evolution of the simple Solitaire.exe that office workers played in the 1990s. It now includes daily challenges, achievement systems, Xbox integration, and multiple game variations. With over 35 million monthly active players, it remains one of the most-played games on any platform.

Whether you are a longtime Windows solitaire player or new to the game, this guide covers everything you need to know about playing solitaire on Windows 11. For the fundamentals of solitaire itself, visit our guide on what solitaire is.

The Microsoft Solitaire Collection: What Is Included

The Microsoft Solitaire Collection on Windows 11 includes five classic solitaire games, each with multiple difficulty options and rule variations.

Klondike is the classic game that started it all. Available in draw-one and draw-three variants, it is the same game that millions have played since 1990, with updated graphics and features. See our Klondike complete guide for comprehensive rules and strategy.

Spider Solitaire offers one-suit, two-suit, and four-suit difficulty levels. First included in Windows ME in 2000, Spider remains one of the most popular variations. The game benefits from Windows 11's larger monitor support for its ten-column layout. Read our Spider Solitaire guide.

FreeCell has been part of Windows since Windows 95. The Microsoft version supports numbered deals, letting you replay specific games or attempt the famous unsolvable deal 11982. See FreeCell explained for strategy tips.

Pyramid and TriPeaks round out the collection with matching-style solitaire games. Both offer a change of pace from the column-based games and feature their own scoring systems. Check our Pyramid guide and TriPeaks guide.

How to Access and Set Up Solitaire on Windows 11

The Microsoft Solitaire Collection is pre-installed on Windows 11. Here is how to find it and get started.

Finding the app: Click the Start button and type "Solitaire" in the search bar. The Microsoft Solitaire Collection should appear in the results. Click it to launch. You can also find it in the Start menu's All Apps list under "M."

Pin it for easy access: Right-click the app in the Start menu and select "Pin to Start" or "Pin to taskbar" for quick access. Having solitaire one click away from the taskbar makes it easy to start a game whenever you have a few minutes.

Sign in with Microsoft account: While not required, signing in with a Microsoft account enables Xbox achievements, leaderboard participation, and progress syncing across devices. Your statistics and daily challenge progress will be saved to the cloud.

Free vs. premium: The base game is completely free with ad support. A Microsoft Solitaire Collection Premium subscription removes all ads, grants access to exclusive events and card themes, and provides premium statistics features. The subscription costs a modest annual fee and is worth considering for dedicated players.

Customization options: Within the app, you can change card backs, backgrounds, and themes. These cosmetic options let you personalize your solitaire experience without affecting gameplay.

Features Unique to Windows 11 Solitaire

The Windows 11 version of the Microsoft Solitaire Collection includes several features not available on mobile or other platforms.

Daily Challenges: Each day brings new challenges across all five game variations. Completing daily challenges earns badges and contributes to monthly achievement goals. These challenges are a great way to practice different games and build skills across variations.

Events: Periodic multi-day events offer themed challenges with special rewards. Events encourage exploring game variations you might not normally play and provide additional motivation to improve.

Xbox integration: Achievements are tracked through the Xbox system, even on PC. You earn achievement points for reaching milestones like winning streaks, completing monthly challenges, and solving difficult deals. These achievements sync with your Xbox profile.

Statistics dashboard: The app tracks comprehensive statistics for each game variation, including win rate, average time, longest winning streak, and total games played. Use these statistics to monitor your improvement over time.

Keyboard shortcuts: On Windows 11, you can use keyboard shortcuts alongside mouse controls. Ctrl+Z for undo, Ctrl+H for hint, and other shortcuts speed up gameplay, especially relevant for speed solitaire.

Mouse Controls and Efficiency Tips

Playing solitaire with a mouse on Windows 11 offers precision and speed advantages over touchscreen play.

Click and drag: The standard way to move cards. Click a card, hold the mouse button, drag to the destination, and release. This gives you full control over where cards go and is essential when a card could go to multiple valid locations.

Double-click for auto-play: Double-clicking a card automatically sends it to the most logical destination, usually a foundation pile. This is significantly faster than dragging and should be your default for foundation moves.

Right-click for context options: In some views, right-clicking provides additional options or information about a card or pile. The exact behavior varies by game variation.

Minimize mouse travel: Experienced players develop efficient mouse paths that minimize unnecessary cursor movement. Practice keeping your cursor centered on the tableau and making quick, precise movements to each card. This technique is covered in our speed solitaire strategies guide.

Alternatives to the Microsoft Solitaire Collection

While the built-in Microsoft Solitaire Collection is excellent, some players prefer alternatives with different features or game selections.

Web browser solitaire: Open Microsoft Edge or Chrome and search for "solitaire" or visit dedicated solitaire websites. Browser-based solitaire requires no installation and often includes variations not found in the Microsoft Collection. This is especially useful for games like Yukon, Forty Thieves, and Golf Solitaire that are not in the Microsoft Collection.

Third-party apps from Microsoft Store: The Microsoft Store contains additional solitaire apps from third-party developers. Some offer hundreds of variations, customizable rules, and different visual styles.

Portable solitaire apps: Some solitaire programs can run from a USB drive without installation, which is useful on work computers where you cannot install software.

Classic Solitaire recreations: For nostalgia, some developers have recreated the exact look and feel of the original Windows 3.0 and Windows XP solitaire games. These recreations strip away modern features and return to the simplicity of the original.

Transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11

If you previously played solitaire on Windows 10, the transition to Windows 11 is seamless.

Your progress carries over. If you were signed in with a Microsoft account on Windows 10, all your statistics, achievements, and daily challenge progress automatically sync to Windows 11. No action needed.

The app is the same. The Microsoft Solitaire Collection on Windows 11 is essentially the same app as on Windows 10, with minor interface adjustments to match Windows 11's design language. The five games, daily challenges, and events are identical.

Performance is similar or better. Windows 11 generally offers equal or better performance for the Solitaire Collection compared to Windows 10. The app is lightweight and runs well on any hardware that supports Windows 11.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is solitaire free on Windows 11?

Yes. The Microsoft Solitaire Collection comes pre-installed and is free to play. A premium subscription is available to remove ads and unlock additional features, but the base game with all five variations is completely free.

Q: How do I get solitaire back if it was removed?

Open the Microsoft Store app, search for "Microsoft Solitaire Collection," and click Install. The app will be reinstalled at no cost. It is a free download regardless of your Windows license.

Q: Can I play Windows 11 solitaire offline?

Yes, the core gameplay works offline. However, daily challenges, events, leaderboards, and Xbox achievement syncing require an internet connection. Your games and statistics are saved locally and will sync when you reconnect.

Q: Does Windows 11 solitaire include all the classic Windows solitaire games?

The Microsoft Solitaire Collection includes Klondike (the original Windows Solitaire), FreeCell (from Windows 95), Spider (from Windows ME), plus Pyramid and TriPeaks. It covers the most popular variations from Windows history and adds two games that were never part of the original Windows lineup.

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💡 Device Optimization Update (2026)

For mobile and tablet screens, utilize landscape mode to maximize card sizing and touch ergonomics. Disabling background notifications minimizes battery drain during extended play sessions.