About Genuine Windows

Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020

We recommend you move to a Windows 10 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft.

Genuine versions of Windows are published by Microsoft, properly licensed, and supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner. You’ll need a genuine version of Windows to access the optional updates and downloads that help you get the most from your PC.

To learn how to activate Windows, see Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. If you’re using Windows 10, see Activation in Windows 10.

Here are answers to some common questions about genuine Windows software.

Look for key features of genuine Windows software, such as the Certificate of Authenticity (COA), a proof of license label, and an edge-to-edge hologram. For more information, visit the What to look for page on the Microsoft How to Tell website. Your safest option is always to buy Windows from Microsoft, or to buy a PC with Windows preinstalled directly from Microsoft or a store you know and trust.

If you’re seeing these notifications, it’s likely that your copy of Windows wasn’t properly activated. Click the notification and follow the steps to repair Windows or buy a genuine version of Windows if you find out the software is counterfeit.

Until you correct the issue, you’ll receive periodic reminders that Windows is not genuine. Your desktop may also turn black to emphasize the messages. You can reset it, but it will return to black every 60 minutes until the issue is resolved.

Windows will always be able to get critical security updates, even if your version isn’t genuine. However, other updates and benefits are available exclusively for genuine Windows software.

Activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is used only on PCs that the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. It pairs your product key or digital entitlement with your hardware configuration. Usually, you only need to activate Windows once, unless you make a significant hardware change.

When your PC downloads updates, Windows checks to see if your product key or digital entitlement is valid. If it is, you’re eligible to receive the latest updates from Microsoft. If it’s not, your PC is running non-genuine Windows.

You can’t install Windows on more PCs than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. Usually, a copy of Windows can only be installed on one PC. To learn more about licensing Windows on more than one PC, go to the Microsoft Volume Licensing website.

Yes. You’ll still be able to get critical security updates. However, many updates are exclusively for customers with genuine versions of Windows. We strongly recommend that you get genuine Microsoft software immediately to keep you safer while using your PC.

Validation is an online process. It verifies that your copy of Windows is genuine and that critical Windows licensing files haven’t been damaged, deleted, or removed. It takes only a few moments and lets Microsoft create a match between your PC’s hardware profile and your 25-character product key or digital entitlement.

Your copy of Windows may need to be validated before you can get downloads and the updates which are reserved for PCs that are running genuine Windows. Windows might also prompt you to run genuine validation if activation isn’t properly completed.

If your copy of Windows fails validation, you’ll see a results page that tells you why it isn’t genuine. You’ll also see info about how to resolve the issue.

There are a few common scenarios in which Windows running on a PC might be discovered to be non-genuine during validation.

Repairs. If your PC has been repaired, you might start to see messages on your desktop that Windows isn’t genuine. If the repairs required Windows to be reinstalled, the technician may have activated Windows with a different key than you used when it was originally installed. You might not see the messages until you try to download something from the Microsoft Download Center that requires validation, and validation fails. To fix the issue, you can properly activate Windows by reentering your original product key.

For other issues, you may need to buy a genuine version of Windows.

1 License = 1 PC. Another common cause of Windows validation failure happens when you try to install Windows on more PCs than your license allows. For instance, if you purchased a copy of Windows and installed it on more than one PC, online validation might fail because the product key has already been used on another PC. The rule for most copies of Windows is that only one copy of Windows can be installed on one PC. To learn about licensing more than one PC, go to the Microsoft Volume Licensing website.

Counterfeit software. Validation will also fail if you’ve inadvertently acquired and installed counterfeit Windows software. The Microsoft How to Tell website can help you identify counterfeit software and file a counterfeit software report if needed. Validation failure is common for versions of Windows that were purchased from an online auction site, or if Windows was on a used PC that you purchased. Remember to ask the seller for the Certificate of Authenticity and the original Windows disc, if there was one.

To file a counterfeit report, go to the Microsoft How to Tell website.

You can file an online report if you inadvertently bought or received counterfeit software, or have information about a person, business, or online site that might be selling counterfeit software. The report you submit will be treated as confidential. Microsoft devotes substantial time and energy to fighting software counterfeiting, and you can be assured that we will take appropriate action in response to your report.

If you got an error when you were activating Windows, you can find what it means. For details, go to Get help with activation errors.

You’ll need a product key when you install Windows. To learn more, go to Find a product key.

Which version of Windows operating system am I running?

Find operating system info in Windows 10

To find out which version of Windows your device is running, press the Windows logo key + R, type winver in the Open box, and then select OK.

Here’s how to learn more:

Select the Start button > Settings > System > About .

Under Device specifications > System type, see if you’re running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.

Under Windows specifications, check which edition and version of Windows your device is running.

Related links

If you’re having a problem with activation, see Activate in Windows 10.

If you forgot the password you use to sign in to Windows devices or email, see How to reset your Microsoft password.

For info about updating Windows, see Windows Update: FAQ.

Find operating system info in Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1

To find out which version of Windows your device is running, press the Windows logo key + R, type winver in the Open box, and then select OK.

If your device is running Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, here’s how to learn more:

If you’re using a touch device, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. Continue to step 3.

If you’re using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.

Select PC and devices > PC info.

Under Windows you’ll see which edition and version of Windows your device is running.

Under PC > System type you’ll see if you’re running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.

Related links

If you’re having a problem with activation, see Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1

If you forgot the password you use to sign in to Windows devices or email, see How to reset your Microsoft password.

For info about updating Windows, see Windows Update: FAQ.

Find operating system info in Windows 7

Select the Start button, type Computer in the search box, right-click on Computer, and then select Properties.

Under Windows edition, you’ll see the version and edition of Windows that your device is running.

Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020

We recommend you move to a Windows 10 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft.

Related links

If you’re having a problem with activation, see Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

If you forgot the password you use to sign in to Windows devices or email, see How to reset your Microsoft password.

For info about updating Windows, see Windows Update: FAQ.

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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