When Was Minesweeper Created?

Who invented Minesweeper?

Curt Johnson and Robert Donner are the creators behind Microsoft's version. In his 2023 interview, Donner describes Johnson's OS/2 game as a puzzle about finding a path through hidden mines. Donner says he reused its bitmap graphics while writing his Windows program. Feedback from a friend helped shift the goal toward clearing the whole minefield. This account describes the Windows game's development; it does not establish who first invented every earlier minefield puzzle. Read Donner's account, pages 4–9 (PDF).

Minesweeper history: the key dates

The dates 1989, 1990 and 1992 refer to different stages: development, commercial release and inclusion in Windows.

1. Around 1989 — development. Donner experiments with the unreleased Windows 3 environment after joining Microsoft. Oral history, page 9 (PDF).
2. October 8, 1990 — first commercial release. Microsoft announces the Entertainment Pack for Windows, listing Minesweeper among its games. It is an additional games package, separate from Windows itself. Microsoft's 1990 timeline.
3. April 6, 1992 — Windows 3.1 ships. Minesweeper is included with Windows 3.1. Its Resource Kit lists WINMINE.EXE in the Games group alongside Solitaire. Microsoft's release date; Resource Kit, printed page 111 (PDF).
4. 2012 — the Windows Store era. Microsoft lists a new Microsoft Minesweeper among the Xbox games available for Windows 8 through the Windows Store. Microsoft's August 2012 announcement.

Was Minesweeper made to teach people to use a mouse?

Donner says he wanted players to become comfortable with mouse controls, particularly right-clicking to mark mines. He also says he initially made the game as a personal programming project, without planning a Microsoft release. Read his explanation, page 13 (PDF).

Play the classic puzzle in your browser

On this site, the goal is to reveal every safe square without opening a mine. Each number counts the mines touching that square, including diagonals. Start with the 9×9 Beginner board and its 10 mines, then try Intermediate or Expert when you are comfortable reading the clues.

New to the game? The rules and standard board sizes explain the three levels. You can also try a short interactive lesson before starting a full board.