Tutorial: Accessing the Windows 7 Games Folder in Windows 8

[Nazmus Shakib Khandaker]

I originally published this article on my blog, Techtronica.

The games folder was introduced with Windows Vista and improved on Windows 7. It included games that came installed with Windows, like Chess and Solitaire, and it also added any new games you might have installed. The games folder also showed detailed information about the games, including high score, age ratings, and compatibility. If the developers allowed it, the games could be updated directly from the Games folder.

With Windows 8, however, the focus has changed, and, thus, the games folder has been hidden away. First of all, the games that came preinstalled with Windows Vista and 7 are no longer included on Windows 8. Secondly, with Windows 8, we are expected to organize apps, including games, differently. We would typically pin frequent apps and games on the start screen and access the rest from either by doing a ?Start Search? or from the ?All Apps? menu on the Start screen.

It is possible, however, to access the legacy Windows 7 Games folder in Windows 8. You may find it useful to organize any desktop games you have installed and get detailed information about your games. However, the Windows 7 games are not included in the Games Folder. Therefore, to access the Games Folder, you need to first install a Game you already own so Windows can automatically enable the Games Folder and put your games there.

Here?s how to get access to the Games Folder

1. Install a game you own, preferably a commercial one, one that you acquired from a well-known vendor. Most retail games will work, including games that predate Windows Vista. For example, Roller Coaster Tycoon, a game from 1999, is still recognized by Windows and will work here.
   
   
2. Once installed, open the ?All Apps? menu from in the start screen.
   
3. From the ?All Apps? menu, locate a group called ?Games? (Note: this group will only be visible if you installed a game as specified in step 1.)
   
4. Right-click on a game under the group ?Games? and click the ?Open File Location? button.
   
   
5. This will open up the Windows 7 Games folder, with a listing of all of your games. You can manually add other games if Windows didn't recognize them. You can also pin the folder to the taskbar for easy access.
   
   

There you go, Games Folder in Windows 8.