Microsoft Encarta 2009 is a timeless encyclopedia, ideal for students in remote areas or those who may not have consistent internet access. If you're looking to download Microsoft Encarta for Windows, you've found the right resource! With this encyclopedia at your fingertips, you can easily complete your assignments without relying on Wikipedia or the internet.


⬇️ Download Microsoft Encarta

Ready to dive into a world of knowledge? Download Microsoft Encarta 2009 for free here:

Important Notes

  • The download will be provided via a Mega folder.
  • After starting the free download of Microsoft Encarta 2009 (full version), please follow the installation instructions outlined below.

Alternative Download Options

  • Explore other avenues to download Microsoft Encarta 2009 for free in this page: Descargar Mi Primera Encarta para PC (the article is in Spanish, but you can translate it with Google Translate).

❓ How to Install Microsoft Encarta 2009

Once you've downloaded the Microsoft Encarta 2009 encyclopedia from Mega, follow these steps to install it:

  • Extract the Files: Locate the downloaded file, right-click on it, and select “Extract All” to unpack the contents.

1️⃣ Begin Installation:

  1. Open the extracted folder and find the setup file: AUTORUN.EXE
  2. Right-click on it and choose Run as Administrator to initiate the installation of Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia for PC.

💡 Important Considerations

  • Internet Access Required: You may need to connect to the internet during the initial installation. Once installed, Encarta will function offline.
  • .NET Framework Requirement: If prompted that your system requires .NET Framework 3.5 (which includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0), simply click on "Download and install this feature." You can find the installation file in your downloads folder or search online for the latest version.

Adobe Flash Player Requirement

For users on Windows 10 or Windows 11, you may need to install Adobe Flash Player to access all multimedia features of Microsoft Encarta. Here’s how:

  • Download Adobe Flash Player: Visit the official Adobe website and download the version compatible with your operating system. In the Mega folder, we have included a free version of Adobe Flash Player.
  • Install Flash Player: Follow the provided instructions to complete the installation. This step is crucial for ensuring that all interactive content within MS Encarta works seamlessly.

💻 Program Details

  • License: 100% Free (no need to buy it).
  • File Size: 1.89 GB
  • Compatible Operating Systems: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11
  • Not Compatible With: Android, iPhone, Linux, macOS, and other operating systems
  • Languages Available: Spanish, American and British English, German, Italian, French, Japanese, Dutch, and Brazilian Portuguese
  • Developer: Microsoft
  • Category: Encyclopedia
  • Areas of Study: Art and Music, History, Language and Literature, Social Sciences, Philosophy and Religion, Geography, Life Sciences, Science and Technology, and Sports and Leisure.
  • Areas Covered by My First Encarta: Landscapes and Regions, Living Beings, Science and Technology, Mathematics, Sports, History, Our Society, Language and Literature, The Arts, and Play and Learn.
  • Version: 2009
  • Includes in the old DVD ISO or CD-ROM: Microsoft Encarta Premium Library, Microsoft Student, My First Encarta (for children), Encarta Dictionary (DRAE - Spanish and English), Encarta World Atlas, and Microsoft Math.
  • Updates: It is only updated until the year 2009.
  • Year of Publication: 2024

Microsoft Encarta (Included game)

Microsoft Encarta included several educational games and activities designed to make learning fun and interactive. These games were typically focused on quizzes, puzzles, and challenges in various subjects like geography, history, and general knowledge. Some notable games and activities in Microsoft Encarta were:
  1. MindMaze: A popular trivia game where players navigated through a medieval castle by answering general knowledge questions correctly. Each correct answer unlocked the next room or level.
  2. Geography Quizzes: These included map-based challenges where users identified countries, capitals, landmarks, or flags.
  3. Timeline Challenges: Players arranged historical events in the correct chronological order.
  4. Trivia and Quiz Sections: Focused on different topics like science, literature, and culture, testing the user’s knowledge with multiple-choice questions.
  5. Virtual Tours and Interactive Maps: While not traditional games, these activities allowed users to explore places, landmarks, and historical sites interactively.

Other interactive features and "game-like" experiences

Encarta indeed had more activities beyond the ones mentioned! Here’s a fuller list of the interactive features and "game-like" experiences offered by Microsoft Encarta, which varied by version and edition:
  1. Adventure Quizzes: Themed quizzes that offered a narrative element, often making it feel like you were on a journey or mission.
  2. 3D Virtual Tours: Interactive explorations of famous landmarks and historical sites like the Pyramids of Giza or the Roman Colosseum.
  3. Encarta Kids: A child-friendly section in later versions that included simpler quizzes, games, and activities tailored for younger audiences.
  4. Knowledge Treasure Hunts: Guided tasks where players searched for information within Encarta’s articles to answer questions or solve puzzles.
  5. Multimedia Puzzles: Jigsaw puzzles using images from Encarta’s extensive media library, such as famous paintings or historical photographs.
  6. World Atlas Games: Interactive challenges tied to Encarta’s detailed atlas, including "Find That Place" games where you had to locate a city, country, or landmark.
  7. Language and Spelling Challenges: Games that tested your vocabulary, spelling, or translation skills in different languages.
  8. Historical Event Simulations: These let users explore different outcomes based on their decisions during major historical events.
  9. Music Composer: Some editions included simple tools for creating and exploring music, like identifying instruments or composing basic melodies.
  10. Science Lab: Interactive experiments and activities explaining scientific principles (like gravity, motion, or ecosystems).
Encarta’s strength was its ability to embed interactivity into education, making learning a playful experience.

🤓 Minimum Requirements for Installing Encarta

To ensure a smooth installation of Encarta Premium, make sure your system meets the following requirements:

  • Operating System: A compatible version of Windows must be installed on your computer.
  • RAM: At least 256 MB.
  • Hard Disk Space: Minimum of 3 GB (1.6 GB for installation, an additional 1.8 GB if you wish to copy it to your hard drive, plus 430 MB for installing Encarta KIDS).
  • Processor (CPU): 600-700 MHz (1 GHz or higher is recommended).