ExeBrowser

Can you run Microsoft Hearts in your browser? Single-player works well

Guide updated July 2026 · Runs via Wine 1.7.55 (Win32) + WebAssembly · Requires your own copy

The classic Microsoft Hearts — the trick-taking card game (mshearts.exe) that shipped with Windows from 3.11 all the way through Windows 7 — can run in a browser tab here, once you load your own copy (Hearts is proprietary Microsoft software, so we can't host the file; bring it from a Windows machine you own). It is a tiny 32-bit GDI program with no DirectX, no 3D, and no .NET, which makes it one of the most reliable things to run in ExeBrowser. Single-player against the three computer opponents plays just like it always did. The one thing that won't work is the old "Microsoft Hearts Network" LAN play, but that's no loss — Microsoft already removed network play in the Windows XP version.

Runs in your browser tab with WebAssembly + Wine — nothing is uploaded. Click the screen to capture input; press Esc to release the mouse.

How it works & what to expect

ExeBrowser boots a real Wine 1.7.55 environment with a 32-bit x86 emulator compiled to WebAssembly, then runs the actual MSHEARTS.EXE binary — it is not a re-creation. Hearts is about the friendliest possible workload for this: a small, single-threaded GDI windowed app that just draws cards with the classic Windows card deck. There's no graphics acceleration to fall back from, so it renders cleanly and feels responsive even though the CPU underneath is emulated. Expect the real deal: enter your name, get dealt thirteen cards, pass three, and try to dodge the hearts and the Queen of Spades against three CPU players.

What works and what doesn't

• Single-player vs. CPU — works. The full game against three computer opponents runs as designed: passing left/right/across/keep, shooting the moon, scoring to 100.
• Mouse and keyboard — works. It's a point-and-click card game; click a card to play it. No input capture quirks like fullscreen shooters have.
• Network / LAN play — does not work. The original "Microsoft Hearts Network" used NetDDE over a local network. The browser sandbox has no LAN peers, and in any case Microsoft dropped network play starting with Windows XP, so most builds you'll have are single-player only.
• Sound — minimal. Hearts is a near-silent app, so there's nothing meaningful to miss here.

How to load it

1. Locate MSHEARTS.EXE on a Windows PC you own — typically C:\WINDOWS\MSHEARTS.EXE on 95/98/Me/2000/XP, or C:\Windows\ on Vista/7.
2. Copy it (and CARDS.DLL if your version has one) into a folder.
3. Click ▶ Play above, then choose Load your own copy and select that folder.
4. The player picks MSHEARTS.EXE as the entry automatically — click Run in Wine.
5. Type a name when prompted and start passing cards. If it ever fails to launch, try the r18 Wine variant from the runtime menu.

Frequently asked questions

More you can run in your browser

• Windows SolitaireThe other classic Windows card game, in a tab.
• FreeCellThe solvable-deal solitaire built into Windows.
• Spider SolitaireTwo-deck solitaire from later Windows.
• MinesweeperThe all-time Windows time-waster.
• 3D Pinball Space CadetThe beloved Windows XP pinball table.
• Compatibility guideWhat runs in the browser and what doesn't.