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.

Service Pack and Update Center

Get the latest update for Windows 10

Windows 10 automatically downloads and installs updates to make sure your device is secure and up to date. This means you receive the latest fixes and security updates, helping your device run efficiently and stay protected.

Though updates are downloaded and installed automatically, they may not be available on all devices at the same time—we’re making sure updates are ready and compatible.

To check for updates manually, select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update >, and then select Check for updates.

A service pack (SP) is a Windows update, often combining previously released updates, that helps make Windows more reliable. Service packs can include security and performance improvements and support for new types of hardware. Make sure you install the latest service pack to help keep Windows up to date. Service packs take about 30 minutes to install, and you’ll need to restart your computer about halfway through the installation.

The recommended (and easiest) way to get updates such as service packs is to turn on Windows Update for Windows 8.1 and let Windows notify you when the updates you need are ready to install.

A service pack (SP) is a Windows update, often combining previously released updates, that helps make Windows more reliable. Service packs, which are provided free of charge on this page, can include security and performance improvements and support for new types of hardware. Make sure you install the latest service pack to help keep Windows up to date. Service packs take about 30 minutes to install, and you’ll need to restart your computer about halfway through the installation.

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.

The latest service pack for Windows 7 is Service Pack 1 (SP1). Learn how to get SP1.

Support for Windows 7 RTM (without SP1) ended on April 9, 2013.

Information about Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2

INTRODUCTION

Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2 is now available. This service pack is an update to Windows 7 and to Windows Server 2008 R2 that addresses customer and partner feedback.

SP1 for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2 is a recommended collection of updates and improvements to Windows that are combined into a single installable update.

Windows 7 SP1 can help make your computer safer and more reliable. Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 provides a comprehensive set of innovations for enterprise-class virtualization. This includes new virtualization capabilities with Dynamic Memory and Microsoft RemoteFX.

Consumer end-users can find general information about Windows 7 SP1 at the following Microsoft website:

More Information

How to obtain Service Pack 1

Windows 7 Service Pack 1

To obtain Windows 7 SP1, visit the following Microsoft website:

Windows 2008 R2 Service Pack 1

To obtain Windows 2008 R2 SP1, visit the following Microsoft website:

How to obtain support for Service Pack 1

Support for Windows 7 Service Pack 1

Consumer end-users can use Microsoft Community to discuss issues that concern Windows 7 SP1. To do this, visit the following Microsoft website:

IT professionals can use the Windows 7 IT pro forum to discuss issues that concern Windows 7 SP1. To do this, visit the following Microsoft website:

Note For online help with troubleshooting SP1 installation issues, visit the following Microsoft website:

Support options for Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1

IT professionals can use the Windows 7 IT Pro forum to discuss issues that concern Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. To do this, visit the following Microsoft website:

How to obtain information about hotfixes and security updates that are included in Service Pack 1

To view a list of hotfixes and security updates that are included in SP1, visit the following Microsoft website:

Note Currently, the list of hotfixes and security updates is available only in English.

More information about Service Pack 1

Consumer end-users can find information about what is included in Windows 7 SP1 at the following Microsoft website:

What is included in Windows 7 SP1 IT professionals and advanced users can find more information, such as release notes and the SP1 deployment guide, at the following Microsoft TechNet websites:

Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 page on TechNet Note After you apply Service Pack 1, the startup setting of the DHCP Client Service changes from disabled to automatic. To avoid this, apply the hotfix that is described in Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article 2684965. For more information about KB 2684965, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

2684965 Startup Type property in the DHCP Client service is changed to Automatic in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2

Install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1)

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.

The recommended (and easiest) way to get SP1 is to turn on automatic updating in Windows Update in Control Panel and wait for Windows 7 to notify you that SP1 is ready to install. It takes about 30 minutes to install, and you’ll need to restart your computer about halfway through the installation.

To check if Windows 7 SP1 is already installed on your PC, select the Start button, right-click Computer, and then select Properties.

If Service Pack 1 is listed under Windows edition, SP1 is already installed on your PC.

Before you begin

Check if your PC is 32-bit or 64-bit

You’ll need to know if your PC is running a 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) version of Windows 7. Select the Start button, right-click Computer, and then select Properties. The version of Windows 7 is displayed next to System type.

Disk space requirements

Check to make sure your PC has enough free disk space to install SP1.

Estimated amount of free disk space needed

x86-based (32-bit): 750 MB

x64-based (64-bit): 1050 MB

Downloading SP1 from the Microsoft website

x86-based (32-bit): 4100 MB

x64-based (64-bit): 7400 MB

Back up important files

It’s a good idea to back up your important files, photos, and videos to an external hard disk, USB flash drive, or the cloud before installing the update.

Plug in and connect to the Internet

Make sure your PC is plugged in to power and you’re connected to the Internet.

Disable antivirus software

Some antivirus software might prevent SP1 from installing or slow down the installation. You can temporarily disable your antivirus software before the installation. If you do so, make sure you’re aware of the risks that might be involved and re-enable the antivirus software as soon as SP1 is done installing.

Installing Windows 7 SP1 using Windows Update (recommended)

If your PC is set to automatically install updates, you’ll be prompted by Windows Update to install SP1. Follow the instructions to install the update.

To manually install SP1 from Windows Update:

Select the Start button > All programs > Windows Update.

In the left pane, select Check for updates.

If any important updates are found, select the link to view available updates. In the list of updates, select Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB976932) and then select OK.

Note: If SP1 isn’t listed, you might need to install some other updates before installing SP1. Install any important updates and then follow these steps again to check for SP1.

Select Install updates. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.

Follow the instructions to install SP1.

After SP1 is installed, sign in to your PC. You might see a notification indicating whether the update was successful. If you disabled your antivirus software before the installation, make sure you turn it back on.

Downloading and installing Windows SP1 from the Microsoft Download Center

If you’re unable to install SP1 from Windows Update, you can download the installation package from the Microsoft Download Center and then install SP1 manually.

Go to the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 download page on the Microsoft website.

Select Install Instructions to see which packages are available for download, and make note of the one that you need.

Select the appropriate language from the drop-down list, and then select Download.

Select the packages you need to install, select Next, and then follow the instructions to install SP1. Your PC might restart a few times during the installation.

After SP1 is installed, sign in to your PC. You might see a notification indicating whether the update was successful. If you disabled your antivirus software before the installation, make sure you turn it back on.

Troubleshoot problems installing Windows SP1

If you try to install SP1 and see an error message that the installation wasn’t successful, this might be because there’s a problem with the Windows Servicing Store that is used to install updates or because your antivirus software is preventing the update from being installed.

To try and fix the problem, follow these steps and then try to install SP1 again.

Download and run the System Update Readiness Tool

Select the link in the table that corresponds with the version of Windows running on your PC.

Link to Microsoft Download Center

Windows 7 32-bit (x86)

Windows 7 64-bit (x64)

On the Microsoft Download Center page, select your language and then select Download. It might take a few minutes for the tool to download and install.

To install the tool immediately, select Open or Run and then follow the instructions. To use the tool later, select Save and download the installation files to your PC.

On the Windows Update Standalone Installer screen, select Yes or OK.

On the Installation complete screen, select Close.

Try installing the service pack again.

Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

If your PC isn’t able to find or install updates, the Windows Update troubleshooter might be able to fix the problem.

Select the Start button, and then select Control Panel.

In the search box, enter troubleshooter and then select Troubleshooting from the list of results.

Under System and Security, select Fix problems with Windows Update and then follow the instructions.

After the troubleshooter is done, try installing the service pack again.

How to Find Which Windows Service Pack or Update You Have Installed

You should always be running the latest version

Windows service packs and other updates improve the stability and sometimes the functionality of Windows. Making sure you have the latest updates installed ensures that Windows and the software you run on Windows is working well and is secure from malicious attacks.

You can see which service pack or major update you have installed in most versions of Windows through the Control Panel. However, the specific way you go about viewing this information depends on which operating system you have.

Start by determining your version of Windows so you know which set of steps to follow along with below. If you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 8, you’ll notice that you don’t have a service pack installed. This is because, with these versions of Windows, Microsoft releases updates on a continual basis in smaller chunks instead of infrequent, large packs as was the case with earlier Windows versions.

You can always install the latest Windows service pack or update automatically via Windows Update. Or, if you’re needing a service pack for Windows 7 or earlier versions of Windows, you can do so manually by following the links to the latest Microsoft Windows service packs and updates.

Windows 10

You can find basic Windows 10 information in the System section of Control Panel, but the specific version number of Windows 10 is found in Settings:

Open Settings in Windows 10 by pressing the Windows Key+I key combination.

That’s an uppercase «i» not an «L».

Select System when the Windows Settings screen opens.

Choose About from the left pane at the bottom.

The Windows 10 major update you have installed is shown on the Version line.

A faster way to find the Windows 10 version number is by typing the winver command at the command prompt or in the Run dialog box.

Windows 10 updates can be easily installed through Windows Update.

Windows 8, 7, Vista, and XP

The System area of Control Panel is where you can find information for Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.

Open Control Panel. The fastest way to open Control Panel in Windows 8 is to select it through the Power User Menu (Windows Key+X). For other versions of Windows, open the Start menu and select Control Panel.

Select System and Security (8 and 7), System and Maintenance (Vista), or Performance and Maintenance (XP).

You won’t see this option if you’re viewing Control Panel in the large icons, small icons, or classic views. Instead, select System and then skip down to Step 4.

Choose System.

At the top of the System window, under the Windows edition section, is the Windows major update version or service pack level. On Windows XP, from the General tab, look for the service pack details at the top, under System.

Things to Remember

If you’re still running Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, it’s recommended to update to the latest Windows 8 version via Windows Update. If you don’t want the most up-to-date Windows 8 version to be installed automatically, you can instead download the Windows 8.1 update manually.

The same is true for Windows 7, Vista, and XP: Windows 7 SP1, Vista SP2, and XP SP3 are the latest major updates for those operating systems, so you should update to them if you’re not already.

If you don’t have the latest update installed, or don’t have a service pack installed at all, then you should do so as soon as you can. You can install these updates automatically from Windows Update or manually by downloading and installing them.