Find windows OS version from command line

Windows has command line utilities that show us the version of the Windows OS running on the computer, including the service pack number. There are multiple CMD commands that help with finding this, you can pick the one that suits your need. Ver command can show you the OS version whereas Systeminfo command can additionally give you service pack, OS edition and build number etc.

Find OS Version and Service Pack number from CMD

As you can see above, ver command shows only OS version but not the service pack number. We can find service pack number as well with Systeminfo command. Systeminfo dumps lot of other information too, which we can filter out using findstr command.

This command works on XP, Vista and Windows 7 and on Server editions also. Find below example for Win7.

In case of Windows 7 SP1, the output would be slightly different as below.

If you want to print more details, then you can use just ‘OS’ in the findstr search pattern. See example below for Server 2008.

Check Windows version using WMIC command

Run the below WMIC command to get OS version and the service pack number.

Example on Windows 7:

If you want to find just the OS version, you can use ver command. Open command window and execute ver command. But note that this does not show service pack version.

This command does not show version on a Windows 7 system.

Operating System Version

The Version API Helper functions are used to determine the version of the operating system that is currently running. For more information, see Getting the System Version.

The following table summarizes the most recent operating system version numbers.

Operating system	Version number
Windows 10	10.0*
Windows Server 2019	10.0*
Windows Server 2016	10.0*
Windows 8.1	6.3*
Windows Server 2012 R2	6.3*
Windows 8	6.2
Windows Server 2012	6.2
Windows 7	6.1
Windows Server 2008 R2	6.1
Windows Server 2008	6.0
Windows Vista	6.0
Windows Server 2003 R2	5.2
Windows Server 2003	5.2
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition	5.2
Windows XP	5.1
Windows 2000	5.0

* For applications that have been manifested for Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. Applications not manifested for Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 will return the Windows 8 OS version value (6.2). To manifest your applications for Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, refer to Targeting your application for Windows.

Identifying the current operating system is usually not the best way to determine whether a particular operating system feature is present. This is because the operating system may have had new features added in a redistributable DLL. Rather than using the Version API Helper functions to determine the operating system platform or version number, test for the presence of the feature itself.

To determine the best way to test for a feature, refer to the documentation for the feature of interest. The following list discusses some common techniques for feature detection:

• You can test for the presence of the functions associated with a feature. To test for the presence of a function in a system DLL, call the LoadLibrary function to load the DLL. Then call the GetProcAddress function to determine whether the function of interest is present in the DLL. Use the pointer returned by GetProcAddress to call the function. Note that even if the function is present, it may be a stub that just returns an error code such as ERROR_CALL_NOT_IMPLEMENTED.
• You can determine the presence of some features by using the GetSystemMetrics function. For example, you can detect multiple display monitors by calling GetSystemMetrics(SM_CMONITORS).
• There are several versions of the redistributable DLLs that implement shell and common control features. For information about determining which versions are present on the system your application is running on, see the topic Shell and Common Controls Versions.

If you must require a particular operating system, be sure to use it as a minimum supported version, rather than design the test for the one operating system. This way, your detection code will continue to work on future versions of Windows.

Note that a 32-bit application can detect whether it is running under WOW64 by calling the IsWow64Process function. It can obtain additional processor information by calling the GetNativeSystemInfo function.

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.

Identify Windows version for enrollment

Find out which enrollment steps you need to take to set up your device for work or school. This article will help you identify which version of Windows you’re running and point you to the appropriate enrollment steps. It also provides information about how to access Company Portal.

Get Company Portal

You can enroll Windows 10 devices through the Company Portal website or app. If you’re enrolling a device with an earlier version of Windows, you must enroll the device through the Company Portal website.

If you have any trouble signing in to the app or website, see Sign in to the Company Portal.

Supported versions

Company Portal currently supports devices running the following versions of Windows:

• Windows 10 (Home, Pro, Education, S mode, and Enterprise versions)
• Windows 8.1 RT
• Windows 8.1

Other versions of Windows, such as Windows 10 Holographic, are supported in the Company Portal. However, these versions are not covered in this article because they are for very specific uses.

Find Windows 10 version number

Enrollment steps differ for different versions of Windows 10 devices. The following steps describe how to find the version number on Windows 10 desktop and mobile devices. After you know your version, continue to the recommended enrollment steps.

Windows 10 desktop devices

Go to Start.

In the search bar, type the phrase «about your PC.» Select About your PC from the results.

Scroll down to Windows specifications to find the Version of Windows 10 that’s installed on your PC.

If your version is

Windows 10 mobile devices

Go to All apps and select the Settings app.

Select System > About.

Under Device information, find the Version.

If your version is

Enroll other Windows devices

You can enroll Windows 8.1. or Windows RT 8.1 devices via the Company Portal website.

IT administrator support

If you’re an IT administrator and run in to problems while enrolling devices, see Troubleshooting Windows device enrollment problems in Microsoft Intune. This article lists common errors, their causes, and steps to resolve them.

Next steps

Now that you know the supported devices, and your Windows 10 version number, proceed to the recommended enrollment article.

For more information about device management, Company Portal, and how both are used in schools and at work, see the following articles:

Need help? Contact your company support. Go to the Company Portal website to find your organization’s IT contact information.

Windows Version Numbers

A list of Windows version numbers & major Windows builds

Each Microsoft Windows operating system has a familiar name, like Windows 10 or Windows Vista, but behind each common name is an actual Windows version number 1 .

You can determine your Windows version a number of ways if you want to check which build number you’re currently running.

Windows Version Numbers

Below is a list of major Windows versions and their associated version numbers:

Reference Table for Windows Version Numbers
Operating System	Version Details	Version Number
Windows 10	Windows 10 (20H2)	10.0.19042
Windows 10 (2004)	10.0.19041
Windows 10 (1909)	10.0.18363
Windows 10 (1903)	10.0.18362
Windows 10 (1809)	10.0.17763
Windows 10 (1803)	10.0.17134
Windows 10 (1709)	10.0.16299
Windows 10 (1703)	10.0.15063
Windows 10 (1607)	10.0.14393
Windows 10 (1511)	10.0.10586
Windows 10	10.0.10240
Windows 8	Windows 8.1 (Update 1)	6.3.9600
Windows 8.1	6.3.9200
Windows 8	6.2.9200
Windows 7	Windows 7 SP1	6.1.7601
Windows 7	6.1.7600
Windows Vista	Windows Vista SP2	6.0.6002
Windows Vista SP1	6.0.6001
Windows Vista	6.0.6000
Windows XP	Windows XP 2	5.1.2600 3

_{[1] More specific than a version number, at least in Windows, is a build number, often indicating exactly what major update or service pack has been applied to that Windows version. This is the last number shown in the version number column, like 7600 for Windows 7. Some sources note the build number in parenthesis, like 6.1 (7600).}

_{[2] Windows XP Professional 64-bit had its own version number of 5.2. As far as we know, that’s the only time Microsoft has designated a special version number for a specific edition and architecture-type of a Windows operating system.}

_{[3] Service pack updates to Windows XP did update the build number but in a very minor and long-winded way. For example, Windows XP with SP3 and other small updates is listed as having a version number of 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_qfe.130704-0421 : Service Pack 3).}

How to Update Windows

To update Windows to the newest build number, use Windows Update. Using the built-in Windows Update utility is the easiest way to check for and install Windows updates.

If your version of Windows isn’t currently set up to install updates automatically, you can change the Windows Update settings so that new updates are downloaded and applied automatically. This is the simplest way to keep Windows updated to the latest version number.

Major Changes in Windows 10

Microsoft introduced several changes to the Windows operating system with the release of Windows 10. These are some of the biggest differences between Windows 10 and Windows 8 (and older versions of Windows):