I want to bring back Game Explorer that was removed on Windows 10 1803

bro67 · 21 Aug 2023

There is no other way. Xbox and Microsoft Store are the only way to see games on Windows.

LesFerch · 21 Aug 2023

bro67 said:

There is no other way. Xbox and Microsoft Store are the only way to see games on Windows.

Or Steam? Anyhow, I was under the impression that the OP was only expecting to see old, already installed games, such as Solitaire, in Game Explorer. Maybe I misunderstood.

garlin · 21 Aug 2023

UPDATE 2023-08-24: Skip ahead to post #21 for the latest version.

The shared link from @LesFerch's post #4 does work.
But for those who can't follow long instructions, I've written a PS script which does the entire install for you.

1. Download PowerRun.
2. Using PowerRun, open powershell.exe
3. From PS, enter the name of the script.
4. As the instructions stated, open Explorer and copy address "shell:::{ED228FDF-9EA8-4870-83b1-96b02CFE0D52}"
5. W11 is shown, but it should work on W10 1803 and later.

Extra credit (if you want the missing folder icon).

6. Unzip IconGroup14.zip
7. Download Resource Hacker.
8. Open \Windows\SystemResources\imageres.dll.mun
9. Select Icon Group 14
10. Replace Icon -> File -> IconGroup14.res
11. Save As to your local folder.
12. Rename \Windows\SystemResources\imagres.dll.mun -> \Windows\SystemResources\imageres.dll.mun-BACKUP
13. Move your saved copy -> \Windows\SystemResources\imageres.dll.mun
14. taskkill /f /im explorer.exe && start explorer

I want to bring back Game Explorer that was removed on Windows 10 1803-screenshot-2023-08-21-221429.png

Note: This only works for English (US), because the linked post provides just those files.

I don't have the Windows files in other languages, you'll have to track down your language's W10 1709 ISO and extract them. Don't ask me about how this works, I'm only here to write an install script. And don't complain if the Discord links disappear, they're not mine.

DiggaDigga2010 · 22 Aug 2023

garlin said:

Extra credit (if you want the missing folder icon).

6. Unzip IconGroup14.zip

OK, but where is the link for the icongroup14.zip?

LesFerch · 22 Aug 2023

DiggaDigga2010 said:

OK, but where is the link for the icongroup14.zip?

And without even a thank you to @garlin for all that work, I wouldn't expect any further assistance coming your way.

garlin · 22 Aug 2023

Did you look in the attachments?

Hairy Scot · 22 Aug 2023

This may be helpful:- Can you enable Game Explorer on windows 10? | WinClassic

LesFerch · 22 Aug 2023

Hairy Scot said:

This may be helpful:- Can you enable Game Explorer on windows 10? | WinClassic

Already mentioned (see msg #4) and @garlin kindly converted those instructions into a PowerShell script (see msg #13).

garlin · 22 Aug 2023

I'm adding new features to finish the task of having Resource Hacker run for you, and launching Windows Experience so the Index tab isn't left blank. All that is working, but I need to shore up the error checking so it recovers from unforeseen errors.

The current script works, but I'm trying to eliminate the 2nd half of the steps.

DiggaDigga2010 · 23 Aug 2023

I did the following steps on my VM, and it worked! The icons have resolved the missing icon issue! Running games even work! One issue with the Game Explorer. I can't add shortcuts to the Game Explorer, which is an issue. Still works like a charm, though. I even created a Game Explorer start menu shortcut to access the Game Explorer easily!

And how do I fix the shortcut issue? I will plan to do this on my main PC one day.
https://i.imgur.com/ugwnXUV.png