If you want to know what version of Windows you have installed on your PC or laptop, you can check it in a few seconds from Settings or with the winver command. You can also see the Windows edition, OS build, and whether your system is 32-bit or 64-bit.
This information can be useful when installing compatible apps and drivers, following a troubleshooting guide, or checking whether your computer can upgrade to a newer version of Windows.
Quickly check your Windows version with winver
The fastest way to check your Windows version is to use winver:
- Press Windows + R, type winver, and press Enter.
The About Windows window will open and show the installed edition, version, and OS build.
You can also type winver into Windows Search and open the result.
If you also need to check whether Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit, your processor, or other PC details, use the next method.
How to check Windows version details
The About page in Settings is the most complete way to check your Windows version and view basic information about your computer.
In Windows 11:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select System.
- Scroll down and open About.
- Find Windows specifications.
Here you can check:
- Edition: shows whether you have Windows Home, Pro, or another edition.
- Version: shows the installed Windows version.
- OS build: identifies the exact build installed on the PC.
On the same page, under Device specifications, you can also see the processor, installed RAM, and System type, which tells you whether Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit.
In Windows 10, go to Settings > System > About
This is the best method if you want to check the Windows version along with basic system and hardware details.
How to check what operating system your PC has
If you need more technical information, you can use the built-in System Information tool.
- Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
The System Information window will open.
Under System Summary, you can see details such as:
- Operating system name and version
- Computer manufacturer and model
- System type
- Processor
- BIOS or UEFI information
- Installed physical memory
This method is especially useful if you need both software and hardware information about your PC.
How to tell if Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit
To check whether your PC is running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows:
- Open Settings with Windows + I.
- Go to System > About.
- Find System type under Device specifications.
You may see something like: 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
This means you have a 64-bit version of Windows installed and an x64-based processor.
Windows 11 is only available as a 64-bit operating system. If you use Windows 10 or an earlier version, the System type field shows whether the installed operating system is 32-bit or 64-bit.
Windows edition, version, and OS build: what is the difference?
When you check your Windows information, you may see several similar-looking details. Each one identifies something different:
| Detail | What it means |
|---|---|
| Edition | The installed edition, such as Windows Home or Pro. |
| Version | The Windows version installed on the PC. |
| OS build | The specific build of the operating system. |
| System type | Shows whether Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit and the processor architecture. |
For most tutorials, knowing whether you’re using Windows 11 or Windows 10 is enough. However, some problems, updates, apps, or features may require the exact edition, version, or OS build.
Check Windows information from Command Prompt
You can also check system details from Command Prompt:
- Open CMD, type systeminfo and press Enter.
Windows will display details such as the OS name and version, computer manufacturer and model, system type, processor, and installed memory.
This method is useful if you prefer working with commands or want to see several system details in one window. For more examples, see our guide to useful CMD commands for Windows.
How to check if your PC is compatible with Windows 11
If you still use Windows 10 and want to upgrade, you can check whether your PC meets the Windows 11 requirements with Microsoft’s PC Health Check app.
The tool checks requirements such as the processor, RAM, storage, TPM 2.0, and Secure Boot.
Support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025, and Microsoft recommends moving to Windows 11 on compatible PCs.
If you want to customize Windows after upgrading, you can also learn how to turn on dark mode in Windows.
