How to check your PC’s full specifications on Windows 10

Source: Windows Central

On Windows 10, the ability to view a computer’s specs can come in handy in many situations. For example, it can be useful to determine if the device meets the minimum requirements to install a piece of software. If the computer is not working, and you have to troubleshoot a problem. Or, if you are noticing the device is getting slower over time, knowing the hardware specifications can help confirm whether you need to upgrade a component or it is time to replace the machine.

Whatever the reason it might be, Windows 10 has several ways to check the PC specs, such as processor, memory, motherboard, graphics card, Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), device model number, drivers, updates details, and Windows version, using desktop applications or command-line tools. The only caveat is that depending on the method, the properties available could be slightly different.

In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through the steps to check your device’s full hardware and software specifications.

How to find computer hardware specs using Settings

If you only need the basic system specifications, such as the processor, memory, and Windows details, you can find this information inside the «About» settings page.

To check the computer tech specs with the Windows 10 Settings app, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on About.

Under the Device specifications section, check the processor, system memory (RAM), architecture (32-bit or 64-bit), and pen and touch support.

Source: Windows Central

Experience – Reveals the service feature pack installed on the device.

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, you will have a clearer understanding of the computer’s basic technical specifications.

While on the «About» page, you can also click the Copy button under each section to copy and share the specifications with other people, safe for future reference, or inventory.

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How to find computer specs using System Information

On Windows 10, the System Information is a legacy application that is one of the best options to view a complete x-ray of the device’s technical specifications.

To view all the hardware specs of the computer, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for msinfo32 and click the top result to open the System Information app.

Select the System Summary category from the left navigation pane.

Source: Windows Central

Select the Display option to view the graphics card technical information.

Source: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, you will have a detailed overview of the laptop or desktop specs.

If you need to check specific details about a component, the System Information tool offers a search option at the bottom of the page to quickly find the information you need. (This is not your regular search experience, which means you must use exact text queries to get the result you want.)

Create hardware specs report on Windows 10

The System Information app also includes an option to create a report with the hardware and software tech specs, which you can save to refer later, inventory, or share with technical support to troubleshoot an issue.

To create a report with the system specs on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for msinfo32 and click the top result to open the System Information app.

Select the specifications to export from the left navigation pane.

Quick tip: Selecting System Summary will export everything. However, if you only need to export the graphics card details, you only need to select the Display item from the left navigation pane.

Click the Export option.

Source: Windows Central

Right-click the text file and select the open option to view the exported system information.

Source: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, the specifications will export into a text file, which you can then open with any text editor.

How to find computer specs using DirectX Diagnostic Tool

Windows 10 also includes the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag) to view information about DirectX sound and video support to help you troubleshoot different system problems. However, you can also use it to determine many tech specs about the machine, like the information available through the «About» settings page.

To check the computer specs with the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, use the steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for dxdiag and click the top result to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
3. Click on the System tab.

Under the «System information» section, check the computer tech specs, including processor, memory, BIOS or UEFI version, system model and manufacturer, Windows 10 version and edition, and more.

Source: Windows Central

Under the «Device» section, check the graphics card technical specs like name and manufacturer, graphics memory, and display details.

Source: Windows Central

(Optional) Click the Save All Information button.

Source: Windows Central

Right-click the text file and select the open option to view the exported system information.

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, you will end up with a text file, properly formatted, with all the computer hardware and software details.

How to find computer specs using PowerShell

Alternatively, you can also use PowerShell to determine the technical specifications of your device.

To use PowerShell to check the computer tech specs, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

Type the following command to determine your computer specs and press Enter:

Source: Windows Central

(Optional) Type the following command to view only the details of a specific component and press Enter:

Get-ComputerInfo -Property «PROPERTY-NAME»

In the command, change PROPERTIES-NAME for the details you want to review.

For example, the following command displays everything regarding the BIOS information:

Get-ComputerInfo -Property «bios*»

Source: Windows Central

Quick note: The asterisk * in the command syntax is a wildcard to match every property that starts with BIOS.

After you complete the steps, PowerShell will display a full list of Windows 10 and hardware information or the specific property you requested in the command.

How to find computer specs using Command Prompt

If you want to check the computer specs with Command Prompt, you can use the System Information (systeminfo) command tool, which allows you to view even more hardware and software details than the UI version of the app.

To find the computer specs with Command Prompt, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

Type the following command to find your device specs and press Enter:

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: Use the systeminfo /? command to see the available options using this tool in Command Prompt.

Once you complete the steps, the command output will return all the information about the computer’s hardware and software, including Windows 10 and update information, system architecture, whether the device uses BIOS or UEFI, RAM, and network details.

If you want to save the output received from PowerShell or Command Prompt commands to a text file, you can use these instructions.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

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How to find information about my computer

Your computer has several hardware components and can be running thousands of different programs. Below is a complete list of how to find information about the parts of your computer and what it’s running.

Types of computer

In the past, it was easier to identify the type of computer you were using. Today, there are desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablets, hybrid computers, and smartphones that are all considered a computer. Below is a visual example of the more common computers to give you a better comparison of the different types of computers.

Once you have identified the type of computer, it can make it easier to help identify the software and hardware running on the computer.

Model number and serial number

Determining your computer model number and serial number helps you troubleshoot the computer and can also help you find the latest drivers and other updates for your computer. With desktop computer, many OEMs list the information on the side of the computer, like the Hewlett Packard computer sticker shown to the right.

Laptop, netbook, and hybrid computers often have the model and serial number on the bottom of the computer. If you cannot find this information, manufacturers like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Acer also have tools on the computer and websites to help identify your computer.

Operating system

The operating system is what allows your computer software to communicate with the computer hardware. Today, there are several operating systems that can be installed on a device including Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, Apple iOS, Linux, Chrome OS and Android. For a traditional computer (desktop or laptop) you are going to be using either Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, or Linux.

Desktop, laptop, netbook, and hybrid computers

The most common operating system for these types of computers is Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can quickly identify if the computer is running Windows if it has a Start button at the bottom-left corner of the screen. A macOS computer can be identified by the Apple menu at the top of the screen or the bottom dock. Linux computers get a little more tricky because of all the different types of interfaces that they can be using.

Keep in mind that all these operating systems have different versions. For instance, as of this writing the newest version of Windows is Windows 10, but Windows 8 and 7 are still supported.

Tablet

Today, there are two strong competitors making operating systems for tablets, Apple, who makes iOS and Google, who make Android. If you’re trying to identify between the two operating systems because they look similar, look at the top bar. Apple places the time in the top center or left, and Google places the time in the top-right of the home screen.

To find the version information for either of these operating systems, follow the steps below.

• In Android, click Apps, Settings, and then About device (Android version).
• In iOS, click Settings, General, About.

Smartphone

Like a tablet, there are two strong competitors who make operating systems for smartphones, Apple, who makes iOS and Google, who make Android.

To find the version information for either Apple or Android operating system, follow the steps below.

• In Android, click Apps, Settings, and then About device (Android version).
• In iOS, click Settings, General, About.

Software

Thousands of programs and apps can be installed. To find the version of a program you’re currently using, view the «help» or «about» options in the menu of that program.

Information about the program and version information can be accessed through the help section in the file menu. With a desktop or laptop computer, you can quickly open this section in almost all programs by pressing the F1 .

Hardware

Several hardware components inside your computer, and peripherals that can connect to your computer. See the link below for related links on identifying all the hardware in your computer.