It categorically is not.
All of the functionality in classic solitaire (the version since Windows 95) is all free. There are also additional game modes which are also free.
But they've added "daily challenges" which you can pay to play. It is an optional additional part of the game.
> how products like Win 8 and 10 get out the door
You mean products people dislike because Microsoft has actually tried to push forward their platform? Seems like they cannot win. If they push out a product exactly like XP over and over people will complain that Microsoft is being lazy/playing it safe/not innovating, but if they push out a product like 8/10 then people complain that they are changing too much.
Reminds me a lot of Ubuntu Unity. Everyone complained that they wanted innovation in the Linux desktop space, and when Ubuntu tries to provide that everyone freaks out because "they changed classic Linux!!!" Well which is it? Do you want to see progress or don't you?
> MS seems to think it can fix the terrible design by downvoting critics on public forums and getting PR companies to write booster posts
Now we're moving into the realm of conspiracy theory. Did it ever occur to you that other people have a different opinion to you and that that is ok? Not everyone is a Microsoft shill, and your opinion isn't the only legitimate one.