Windows 10’s Solitaire will cost you if you want to play ad

With Windows 10 hitting PCs all across the world, some are shocked to see that there are video ads in Solitaire.

The long-standing stalwart of Windows gaming now has new visual themes, game types, achievements, and leaderboards, and plenty of opportunities to be advertised to. The game is being rolled out along with a new version of FreeCell, in a bundle named “Microsoft Solitaire Collection“. First off, a subscription pays for optional features, so you’ll still be able to enjoy a basic game of Solitaire without putting any money down.

Microsoft launched Windows 10 on 29 July, skipping Windows 9 entirely in order to emphasise the radical overhaul of its operating system.

Solitaire is making a return in Windows 10.

Microsoft has released its latest and last operating system, Windows 10, but users discover it’s not free after all, with hidden fees included in its Solitaire game.

Tech journalist Richard Stanton wrote on Twitter: “Solitaire is just a wee freebie that’s come pre-installed with Windows for decades”. The Premium version of the game does away with ads, and also offers more coins for completing “Daily Challenges”, and a boost when you play TriPeaks or Pyramid. With Windows 10, it finally looks like Microsoft is preparing to walk down that path on the desktop, too. But I think that perhaps what we’re getting here is a flash of insight into exactly why it’s free. While the payments only help you get rid of the advertisement, it still comes down as nothing short of a weird move to many.