With Windows Vista, Microsoft introduced the Games folder which was a special location to manage your installed games. This folder also offers game updates, statistics, rating information, RSS feeds, and more. It acts like a central repository for all recognized games you have on your PC. This folder was available in all versions of Windows 10. However, it has been removed in Windows 10 Spring Creators Update, version 1803.
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The development of Windows 10 Spring Creators Update, version 1803, is over. The final (RTM) build is 17133, which is already released to Fast and Slow Ring Insiders. Microsoft is actively working to push the OS to the production branch.
The removal of the Games folder wasn't mentioned in the official change log available for Insider Preview builds. That's because the folder wasn't visible anywhere in the user interface and could be accessed only with the shell command shell:Games. You could use it to find your Windows Experience Index.
Note: When the Games folder is pinned to the taskbar or to the Start menu, it provides quick access to all installed games on your PC. It is also very useful when you have installed the good old Windows 7 Games in Windows 10:
Starting in Windows 10 version 1803, the Games folder has been removed from the OS. The shell command doesn't work any more.
It's obvious why Microsoft is not interested in supporting the classic Games folder in Windows 10. Its place has been already taken by the Xbox app. Most gamers prefer Steam over Microsoft's built-in solution.
Windows 10 Spring Creators Update, codenamed "Redstone 4", will bring a number of interesting features. These include Timeline, Cortana improvements, plenty of Fluent Design-powered apps and Settings pages, new security options, and more.
See what's new in Windows 10 Spring Creators Update
If you are interested in delaying the upgrade, refer to the article How To Delay Windows 10 Version 1803 Upgrade. This will allow you to pause the upgrade for up to 365 days and stay with your current Windows 10 version, if required.
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RIP Game folder. I’m tired of saying this, but Microsoft is making Windows more bloated and useless. However, I’m sure that the shell is still there in the Skip Ahead builds. I will try to confirm this.
Unfortunately, I have Skip Ahead build and shell:games does not work for me. Maybe there is any solution?
replacement is: shell:GameTasks %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer
According to our reader arman.
Hmm, it seems that shell:GameTasks %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer doesn’t work on the build 17627. I copied the contents of the error:
[Window Title]
shell:GameTasks C:\Users\jakub\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer
[Content]
Windows cannot find ‘shell:GameTasks C:\Users\jakub\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer’. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.
[OK]
Games do not need to be “installed”. I don’t know what the point of putting crap all over the system is but it is probably not in your best interest.
I have 41 games on my “games drive” (yes a separate hard drive just for my games). I’ve wiped my C: drive several time and reinstalled the entire OS (windows 7 and now windows 10) and all I’ve ever had to do is pin the main executable to the the start menu and the games work fine.
(Many games need different versions of C++ and the like, those are usually found in the games folder in a sub folder called “_CommonRedist”. It’s easy enough to go through and install the ones you need)
Yeah but, for me is not the same. Is just like removing taskbar and having to do Alt + Tab to switch window or turning off with the button outside of the OS and the actual machine.
Rest in peace Games Explorer
Thanks for the article.I’ve lost my game shortcuts as well.It was very useful.
Please update, if there’s any possibility to get the games back in Windows 10.
Somehow some users like those games and want to install/play them again.
Thanks.
Lukas
You can play games without this folder. Just install the game package from this site and play.
Hello,
I returned a directory “games” through Classic shell
1. create folder name, for example “Games” in my case “Hry” in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
2. open Settings in Classic Shell
3. Customize Star Menu
4. Click right button, Insert New Item
5. Click left on Inserted Item and select last item “custom”
6. Click right, Edit Item
7. edit Link: directory path in ProgramData, Select folder, “Games” in my case “Hry”
8. Label a Tip is in my case “Hry”
9. Done
You might explain what is “Classic Shell” for those of us who do not know or don’t know where to go find it at. I found it at: http://classicshell.net/
You might explain what is “Classic Shell” for those of us who do not know or don’t know where to go find it at. I found a good tool at: http://classicshell.net/
Guys, just downgrade to xp, vista sp2, 7, 8, or 8.1
these are good OSes, they aren’t bloated ;D
But why Windows 8.x? They are the same, i mean, Tablet interface, MS Store and Metro design for my Laptop? No thanks
and also, why are everyone on the comments are with their real names? Your location is easily tracked by your real name. just use a custom username, like (thing)(number) e.g. DawnNibbler98, or a thing, e.g. toast, or (thing), without number e.g. TheStorageUSB, no offence
And that’s why I’m never leaving Windows 7! And i don’t care if it lost support, Microsoft just wants money. Windows 7 EOL is just an excuse from Microsoft to Upgrade to Win10 so they will fill your computer with unnecesary programs, ghost processes, useless MS Edge, Ugly Fluent/Metro UI.
Upgrading can also make your computer slower, make it crash when you boot it every month, and remove Game Explorer. I use Windows 7 and it haven’t got any virus yet!
So let us use our favorite OSes and stop making unfunny jokes about it! Windows 10 is NOT a good OS. With theme tools, user experience improvement tools or debloaters, is still such worthless garbage!