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.

Check What Version of Windows 10 You Have install on your compute/laptop

Here how to Find Out Which Build and Version of Windows 10 You have installed on your computer or laptop comes with preinstalled.

Don’t know what Windows version you are running on the computer? Interested to know which version of Windows 10 comes preinstalled on your new laptop?
Here this article introduces Windows versions to you and tells you how to check Windows version, build number, it’s 32 bit or 64 bit and more.

Before start lets first understand what is version, edition and build.

Windows versions refer to a major release of Windows. So far, Microsoft has released Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.

For the latest Windows 10, Microsoft releases feature updates twice a year (roughly every six months). Feature updates are technically new versions of Windows 10, which become available during spring and fall. These are also known as “semi-annual” releases that bring new features and improvements to the operating system. Read: The difference between feature update and quality update

Windows 10 version history

• Version 1909, November 2019 (Build number 18363).
• Version 1903, May 2019 Update (Build number 18362).
• Version 1809, October 2018 Update (Build number 17763).
• Version 1803, April 2018 Update (Build number 17134).
• Version 1709, Fall Creators Update (Build number 16299).
• Version 1703, Creators Update (Build number 15063).
• Version 1607, Anniversary Update (Build number 14393).
• Version 1511, November Update (Build number 10586).
• Version 1507, Initial Release (Build number 10240).

Windows editions (Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 pro) are flavors of the operating system that offer different features and services

Microsoft is also still offering both 64-bit and 32-bit versions of Windows 10. A 32-bit operating system is designed for 32-bit CPU and 64-bit operating system is designed for 64-bit CPU. Here to note 64-bit operating system can’t be installed on 32-bit CPU, but the 32-bit operating system can be installed on 64-bit CPU. Read the difference between 32 bit and 64 bit Windows 10.

Check windows 10 version

Windows offer different ways, to check the version, edition, build number or check its 32 bit or 64-bit windows installed on your computer. Here this post explains how to check windows 10 version using the command prompt, system information, settings app or from about windows.

Check Windows 10 version from settings

Here how to find the Windows version through the Settings app.

• Click on the start menu then select settings,
• Click system than in the left pane click about,
• Here you will Find Device specifications and Windows specifications in the right box.

Under Windows specifications, you will find the edition, version, and OS build information. In Device specifications, you should see the RAM and system type information. (refer image below). Here also you get the information of when the version was installed,

Here my system showing Windows 10 pro, version 1909, OS build 18363.657. The system type 64 bit OS x64 based processor.

Check Windows version using winver command

This is another simple and quick way to check which version and edition of Windows 10 installed on your laptop.

• Press Windows key + R to open run\
• Next, type winver and click ok
• This will open About Windows where you can get the version and OS build information.

Check Windows version on Command prompt

Also, you can check windows version, edition and build number details on command prompt using one simple command line systeminfo.

• Open the command prompt as administrator,
• Now type command systeminfo then press the enter key on the keyboard,
• This will display all system configuration with Installed OS name, Version, Which edition and build of windows installed on your system, OS install date, hotfixes installed and more.

Check Windows 10 version using System Information

Similarly, you can also open the System Information window that not only gives you Windows versions information, but also list other information such as hardware resources, components, and software environment.

• Press Windows + R keyboard shortcut,
• Type msinfo32 and click ok to open the system information window.
• Under the system summary, you will get all the information on the Windows version and build number details.

Bonus: Show Windows 10 Build number on Desktop

If you are looking for display windows 10 build number on your Desktop, follow the registry tweak below.

• Press Windows + R, type regedit and click ok,
• This will open Windows registry editor,
• On left-hand side navigate HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
• Making sure you’ve selected Desktop in the left pane,
• next, look for PaintDesktopVersion in the right-hand pane of alphabetical entries.
• Double-click on it and change value data 0 to 1 click ok close window.
• Close the registry window and simply Restart Windows to take effect.

That’s it, you should now see the Windows version painted on your lovely Windows 10 desktop,

How to tell what Windows I have (11 ways)

How do you tell which Windows you have? The answer to this question is not rocket science. It is not even a complicated thing to do. However, it is a question you may have to answer so that you receive technical support with a problem you have. If you have handled Windows devices before, the answer is only a couple of clicks away. On the other hand, if you are like our parents, you may call your children or friends at 8 AM to ask them how to do it. This tutorial is mainly for everyone who wants to save the cost of a call and find out what version of Windows they have on their own. Let’s get started:

Quick Steps:

1. Press the Windows + R keyboard keys to launch the Run window.
2. Type winver, and press Enter.
3. This opens a window called About Windows. It shows you the operating system that you’re using.

IMPORTANT: If you already know that you have Windows 10 and you want to find out exactly what edition and type, read how to check the Windows 10 version, OS build, edition, or type. Also, here’s how to validate whether Windows is activated and genuine.

1. How to tell what version of Windows you have just by looking at the sign-in screen

It may sound too easy to be true, but it is often enough to look at the Windows sign-in screen and find out whether your Windows is version 10, 7, or 8.1. Start your computer or device and wait for it to boot. When the sign-in screen shows up, check the way it looks.

If the sign-in screen on your PC looks similar to the screenshot below, then you are using Windows 10:

Windows 10 sign-in screen

If what you see when you sign in looks like the screenshot below, then you are using Windows 7. This version of Windows is all about lively blue colors. 🙂

Windows 7 sign-in screen

NOTE: Windows 7 also tells you its name and edition at the bottom of the sign-in screen. For instance, the Windows 7 edition in the screenshot above is the Ultimate one.

And if your sign-in screen looks like the one below, then you are using Windows 8.1. It looks boring, doesn’t it? 🙂

Windows 8.1 sign-in screen

2. How to check what Windows you have by pressing the Windows key

Windows 10, Windows 7, and Windows 8.1 differ quite a lot in what their user interface looks like. Just by looking at your desktop, taskbar, icons, Start Menu, or Start screen, you can immediately tell which Windows you have.

If you have Windows 10, then your desktop and icons have a flat design, your taskbar has a search field or at least a search button on it. Press the Windows key, and the Start Menu shows up. If it has tiles on it, like in the screenshot below, then you are using Windows 10.

Windows 10 desktop and Start Menu

When you press the Windows key, if your Start Menu is transparent and has a search field inside, and the edges of the taskbar and icons are rounded, then you are using Windows 7.

Windows 7 desktop and Start Menu

If you have a Start button on the bottom-left corner of your screen, but it does not open a Start Menu but a Start screen filled with tiles, then you are using Windows 8.1.

Windows 8.1 desktop and Start Screen

3. How to tell what Windows you have by locking your PC

You can also tell what version of Windows you have just by checking how the lock screen looks. The fastest way to lock your PC is to simultaneously press the Windows + L keys on your keyboard. If you are using a Windows tablet, you can also press the Power button twice to do the same.

If the lock screen looks similar to the one in the screenshot below, with a beautiful wallpaper image, and the icons for network and battery on the bottom-right side, then you are probably using Windows 10.

Windows 10 lock screen

If the lock screen looks like the one below, it is evident that you are using Windows 7. Windows 7 even tells you what edition you have on the bottom of the screen.

Windows 7 lock screen

If your lock screen looks similar to the one below and the network and battery icons are shown on the bottom-left corner, then you are using Windows 8.1.

Windows 8.1 lock screen

4. How to check what Windows version you have by running the winver command

To find which Windows edition you have, you can also use the winver command. There are several ways in which you can run this command:

Press the Windows + R keyboard keys to launch the Run window, type winver, and press Enter.

winver command in Run

winver command in PowerShell

You can also use the search feature to open winver.

winver command in Search

Regardless of how you choose to run the winver command, it opens a window called About Windows. This shows you the operating system that you’re using, Microsoft’s internal version of the operating system, and the Windows edition that you own.

winver command: About Windows

5. How to find the Windows you have from the System page

All the specifications of the operating system that you are using are located on the System page. There are several ways to get there. The fastest way to get to the System window is to press the Windows + Pause/Break keys on your keyboard.

Win + Pause (Break)

If you’re using Windows 10, this brings up the Settings app and takes you to the System page. There, you can see details about your PC, including Windows specifications.

Windows specifications in the Settings app

If you’re using a different Windows version, like Windows 7 or 8.1, the Win + Pause keyboard shortcut brings up the System window from the Control Panel. Except for a few minor visual differences, the System window is identical and displays the same information, regardless of what Windows you have.

In the Windows edition section from the top of the window, you get to see what Windows version and edition you are using.

Windows information in the Control Panel

6. How to tell what Windows you have using the System Information app

The System Information app offers another easy way to find out what Windows you have. Open it and check the first line from the System Summary: it should tell you the name of the Windows operating system you use.

OS Name in System Information

The System Information tool offers a lot of details about the system, not just the name of the OS. If you want to learn more about it, read: How to see details about your PC’s hardware and software, using System Information.

7. How to tell what Windows you have using DirectX

Another tool that’s surprisingly useful if you want to find out what Windows you have is Microsoft’s DirectX Diagnostic Tool. Open it either by using the search or by running the dxdiag command in CMD or Run (Win + R). After it opens, check the System Information area from the System tab – it tells you what Windows you have, including its edition and build number.

Operating System information in DirectX Diagnostic Tool

8. How to check your Windows version in cmd (Command Prompt)

Another simple yet non-intuitive method of finding out what Windows you have is offered by Command Prompt, and it doesn’t even require you to run a command – you just have to open it. Before anything else, Command Prompt tells you the version of Windows you use. If it shows Version 10, then you have Windows 10.

Windows 10 is shown as Version 10 in Command Prompt

If you see cmd display Version 6.1, then you have Windows 7.

Windows 7 is shown as Version 6.1 in Command Prompt

If Command Prompt shows Version 6.3, then you’re using Windows 8.1. If it shows Version 6.2, you’re using Windows 8.

Windows 8.1 is shown as Version 6.3 in Command Prompt

9. How to find what Windows you use with the systeminfo command (in Powershell or Command Prompt)

One other way to check the Windows version in cmd is to take advantage of the systeminfo command. Although you could just run this command and look for the information you want, it would be easier to pipeline all that data to a search for the term “OS,” like this: systeminfo | findstr OS. That gives you only a few lines of data, and the first one tells you what Windows you have.

systeminfo | findstr OS

10. How to tell what Windows you have using Registry Editor

If none of the previous methods suits you, you might prefer using Registry Editor to find out what version of Windows you have. Open Registry Editor and follow this path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion. Then, on the right side of the window, the ProductName key tells you what Windows you use.

How to tell what Windows you have: ProductName in Windows Registry

11. How to tell what version of Windows is installed on a hard drive without booting it?

What if you have a hard drive on which there was a Windows operating system installed, but you don’t know what version? What if it can’t boot, but you need to know what Windows is on it. The easiest way to find out is to check the license.rtf file from the “Windows -> System32” folder.

license.rtf in Windows -> System32

Open it using WordPad or any other text editor you prefer. With the sole exception of Windows 10, license.rtf should tell you what Windows you have on its first page. In the screenshot below, you can see what it looks like if you’re using Windows 7.

license.rtf showing that you have Windows 7

If you’re using Windows 10, the license.rtf file doesn’t specify the Windows version you have. This lack of information is actually useful information: if it doesn’t say anything about the Windows version, you use Windows 10! 🙂 If you think about it, it kind of makes sense, as Windows 10 is the last Windows Microsoft will ever make, so the license terms apply forever and only get updated from time to time.

license.rtf showing that you have Windows 10

What Windows do you have?

Now you know quite a few different ways to find out what version of Windows you are using. Before closing this guide, share with us in a comment below the version of Windows that you use. We are curious to see which version is the most popular with our readers. Comment and let’s discuss.