Vista Games All Want to Start Saved Games

This problem just started today. The games explorer will not start a new game; it will only try to start saved games (even when there are no saved games). I checked all of the settings and could find nothing that should cause this behavior. The only way I can start a new game is to go the the exe file and start from there. I suppose I could start a saved game, if any, and then go to the menu and start a new game from there. However, I would like to fix this problem. I have a Dell furnished CD for Windows Vista, but I don't know if one can reinstall only the games. I surely do not want to reinstall the OS.

I just discovered I have the exact same problem. I have Vista Ultimate (x64). Played Spider Solitaire last night, now it is gone.

Gee, could have something to do with the 17 MS updates that were installed last night?

Both of you have the same issue where the games shortcut in the start folder isnt working? Whats the error? Or what happens?

Go to Games Explorer in Games Folder. Double click Spider Solitaire. Opens up Users\MyName\Saved Games. Only folder in this is Microsoft Games, which is empty.

Game is nowhere to be found.

It might have been turned off. Go to start search > type appwiz.cpl > in the left column there should be a option that says: View Features Installed or something along those lines > click that and in the radio buttons make sure every game is checked then reboot. Should fix the problem.

In Vista it is Control Panel\Programs and Features\Turn Windows features on or off.

The Games box (and everything within it) is already checked.

Tried it yesterday and I've rebooted since. No luck

PTRMAN said:

In Vista it is Control Panel\Programs and Features\Turn Windows features on or off.

The Games box (and everything within it) is already checked.

Tried it yesterday and I've rebooted since. No luck

Click to expand...

Sorry for the misleading instructions. Its been awhile lol.

If the games box has everything checked then that makes me want to think that either the games folder itself got renamed or moved from the correct directory.

In my case all, of the games are checked and the games are in their proper folder. The problem appears to be with the games control panel. The games work properly when started directly from their exe files, but when they are started from the games control panel it is always the saved games that are one's only choice.

Right click in any empty area in the control panel and click properties. In the window that opens up, one of the tabs will show every folder you have in the start menu. Un-check the games folder, apply the setting, reboot. Go back into those settings and reapply games as one of the folders in the start menu. See if that does the trick.