How to Fix Windows Spider Solitaire
By Nick Grimes
Updated September 22, 2017
Items you will need
Windows PC
Windows install CD (XP only)
Windows Spider Solitaire is one of the free games bundled with Microsoft Windows. The game provides a faithful recreation of the traditional Solitaire one-player card game on your Windows PC. If you are experiencing errors or problems with Spider Solitaire, such as scores saving incorrectly or the game freezing up, it's possible that your copy of Spider Solitaire has become corrupted. In this case, the best way to fix the game is to reinstall from the Windows CD or backup files.
Windows XP
Insert your Windows install CD.
Open the Control Panel from the Start Menu.
Double-click "Add or remove programs" then "Add/remove Windows components."
Click the words "Accessories and utilities" and then "Details."
Click the word "Games," then click the box next to the words "Spider Solitaire" so as to clear the box. Click "OK" then "OK" then "Next."
Restart your computer.
Reopen the Control Panel and return to the "Accessories and utilities" section by repeating Steps 2 to 4.
Click the word "Games," then place a check in the box next to the words "Spider Solitaire." Click "OK" then "OK" then "Next." Spider Solitaire will be reinstalled in working order.
Windows Vista or Seven
Click "Start" to open the Windows Start Menu.
Type "appwiz.cpl" into the "Search" box at the bottom of the menu. Press "Enter."
Click "Turn windows feature ON or OFF" on the left side of the window.
Click the word "Games" then uncheck the box next to the words "Spider Solitaire." Click "OK."
Restart your computer.
Reopen the Start Menu and again type "appwiz.cpl" into the "Search" box, then press "Enter." Again click “Turn windows feature ON or OFF."
Click the word "Games" then place a check next to the words "Spider Solitaire." Click "OK" to reinstall a working version of Spider Solitaire.
References
- Microsoft: How to Add or Remove Games in Windows XP
- Vijay B; Microsoft Tech Support; Redmond, CA
- "Help File: Microsoft Vista"; Microsoft
Writer Bio
Nick Grimes was first published in 1998. Since then his work has appeared in the New Zealand Listener, Evening Post, City Voice, Turbine, Flicks.co.nz, and Gamesradar. He has a master's degree in creative writing from the International Institute of Modern Letters in Wellington, New Zealand.