Games file empty

My games folder is empty! I must have inadvertantly
deleted the file, have tried to reinstall using add and
remove, it indicates the files are present but I cant
access them or find in search. Tried using XP disk to
add program, and found the files are included in Norton
monitored installations but still cant access them. Cant restore more than one day back, and they still are missing. I'm using Window Washer, tho I disabled it, its cleaning too much!!

Thanks!

 

Hi Laura, and welcome aboard!

What you've deleted are just shortcuts to the games, themselves, which are located in C:\Windows\System32 and/or C:\Windows\System32\dllcache.

In Windows Explorer, do a search of the System32 folder for your games, highlight them, drag them to your Games folder, and create new shortcuts.

The names of the executables aren't always obvious, although Freecell and Pinball are freecell.exe and pinball.exe, respectively. Hearts, though, is mshearts.exe and Solitaire is sol.exe.

Not sure why you're unable to reinstall them via Add/Remove.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

 

re windows game files missing

Jim, thanks for your help, I cant locate the executable files. only files I see are .hl_ .in_ .mi_ .ch _ files. Am I looking for an .exe?

 

Hi Laura,

For starters, open the Tools\Folder Options menu in Windows Explorer and click on the View tab. Make sure that Show hidden files and folders is selected, and that Hide extensions for known file types is unchecked.

Now, you should be able to see the executable (.exe) files .

 

Yep, the show hidden folders and was checked and hide extensions was unchecked already

 

Let's try something else ... right-click on your Recycle Bin and select Properties. On the "Recycle Bin" tab, select Standard Recycle Bin, and on the "Norton Protection" tab, uncheck Enable protection for the C: drive.

You might also click on the Exclusions button on the Norton tab and check to see if your missing files are listed. I don't use Norton, so I'm not sure just how that works.

 

Thank you so much for your help in getting games working again. It turns out all my .exe files were gone for all games, along with contents of pinball files. I got new copies of .exe's, added to game folder and sys 32 per your instructions, all is well again!

 

Hi Laura,

I'm pleased to hear that everything is back to normal, and I'm glad to have been of help.