Missing Internet Backgammon and Checkers from Windows?
Microsoft switched off its Internet Games in 2019 and 2020. You can play four of the five games free here in your browser, against strangers, a friend or the computer.
The short version
Microsoft ended its Internet Games on Windows XP and ME in July 2019 and on Windows 7 in January 2020, so the old Internet Backgammon and Internet Checkers no longer find anyone to play. Playboard has four of the five games, Backgammon, Checkers, Hearts and Reversi (which we call Othello), free in any browser. Quick match pairs you with another player, from a much smaller crowd than Microsoft's, and a link lets you play a friend. Spades is the one we don't have.
Windows Internet Games vs Playboard
| Feature | Windows Internet Games | Playboard |
|---|---|---|
| Still running | No. Shut down in July 2019 on XP and ME, January 2020 on Windows 7 | Playboard does this betterYes |
| Where it runs | Came with Windows XP, ME and 7 only | Playboard does this betterAny browser: Windows 10 and 11, Mac, Chromebook or a phone |
| Playing strangers | Windows Internet Games does this betterMatched you by skill level with players from around the world | Quick match pairs you with another player, from a much smaller crowd |
| Playing the computer | A computer player took over if someone left a Windows 7 game | A bot in all four games |
| Spades | Windows Internet Games does this betterYes, Internet Spades | No |
| The classic look | Windows Internet Games does this betterThe familiar Windows XP and Windows 7 windows | A new design |
We last checked these facts about Windows Internet Games on November 3, 2026.
Games from Windows Internet Games you can play here
What happened to the Windows Internet Games?
For two decades, Windows came with a handful of games you could play against real people: Internet Backgammon, Internet Checkers, Internet Spades, Internet Hearts and Internet Reversi. You opened one, it found you an opponent somewhere in the world, and you played. All five came with Windows XP and ME, and Backgammon, Checkers and Spades also came with Windows 7.
Microsoft ended the service in two steps. The games on Windows XP and ME stopped on 31 July 2019, and the ones on Windows 7 followed on 22 January 2020. Since then they have nothing to connect to.
The same games, in your browser
Playboard has four of the five games, free in any browser on Windows 10, Windows 11, a Mac, a Chromebook or a phone:
- Backgammon: rolled doubles, hitting, the bar and bearing off. We play without the doubling cube.
- Checkers: the classic 8×8 board with forced captures.
- Hearts: four players, the pass, and shooting the moon.
- Othello: the same game as Reversi.
There's nothing to download and no account to make. Open the game and you're playing.
Three ways to play
Against a stranger. Choose Quick match and Playboard pairs you with another player for the same game.
Against a friend. Press Play now, then Create playroom, then Copy link, and send the link to whoever you want to play. They open it in their browser and take a seat. The playroom has a text chat, so it's not just a board.
Against the computer. All four games have a bot for when you'd rather play on your own.
What we don't have
Spades. It was one of the five, and it's the one we don't have. If Spades was your game, we'd rather tell you now than let you hunt for it.
A big crowd. The Internet Games matched you by skill level against players from around the world. Our Quick match crowd is much smaller, so at quiet hours you may wait. The bot is always ready.
The doubling cube. Our backgammon plays without it.
The old look. Playboard isn't a copy of the Windows games, has no connection to Microsoft, and doesn't try to look like them. The rules are the classic ones, and the board is our own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Internet Backgammon and Internet Checkers?
Microsoft shut down its Internet Games service: on Windows XP and ME on 31 July 2019, and on Windows 7 on 22 January 2020. The games can't find opponents any more, so they no longer work.
Can I still play Internet Backgammon on Windows 10 or 11?
The original game doesn't come with Windows 10 or 11. You can play backgammon against people online for free in your browser on Playboard: open Backgammon and choose Quick match.
Do I have to download anything?
No. Playboard runs in Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari. There's nothing to install and no account to make.
Is Internet Reversi the same as Othello?
Yes. Reversi and Othello are the same game: trap your opponent's discs in a line to flip them, and finish with more discs than they have.
Can I play Spades?
No. Spades was one of the five Internet Games, and it's the one Playboard doesn't have. If you liked Internet Hearts, our Hearts plays four to a table.
Can I play against the computer instead?
Yes. All four games have a bot, so you can play a quick game on your own any time.
Windows Internet Games is a trademark of its owner. Playboard is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Windows Internet Games.