Tech Reference

How to check which version of Windows you have on your computer

Written by Dave Johnson and William Antonelli
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Do you know which version of Windows you're running? Most of the time, there's little reason to care. But if you're trying to upgrade your system or use a program that requires a specific version, you'll need to know.

Luckily, every version of Windows lets you check the current version in a few ways. Here are the easiest ways to check exactly which version of Windows you have in Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8.

How to check which version of Windows you have

This method will work in every version of Windows. The only difference between them is where the Search feature is; in Windows 10 and 8 it'll be in the Start menu on the left side of the toolbar, and in Windows 11 it'll be the magnifying glass icon in the middle of the toolbar.

1. Open the search menu.

2. Type "winver" in the search box and press Enter.

version 1
Type "winver" in the Start menu to find out your version of Windows.  Dave Johnson/Business Insider

You should see the About Windows box with your Windows version information appear. 

version 2
You should see an informational dialog box like this one when you run winver.  Dave Johnson/Business Insider

If you want to know more than just what version of Windows you have, you can open another menu to find your PC's exact CPU type, ID number, and more.

How to check your Windows PC's specs

In Windows 11 and Windows 10

1. Click the Start icon, and then select the Settings option.

2. In the Settings menu, select System.

3. On the System page, and click About. This will be the last option at the bottom of the System page.

The Windows 11 Settings app, with the About menu highlighted.i
Open your PC's "About" menu.  William Antonelli/Insider

You'll see a page filled with information about your PC. This will include your PC's current name, what kind of CPU you have, your RAM, and your device's ID numbers.

A Windows 11 settings page showing all of the computer's specifications.
Explore the About page to find more of your computer's specs.  William Antonelli/Insider

In Windows 8

1. Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings menu.

2. In Settings, click Change PC settings.

3. Click PC and devices, and then click PC info.

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dave june
Dave Johnson
Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.
WillAntonelli
William Antonelli
ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider's lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He's also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.Expertise
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Consumer Technology (Laptops, PCs, video games and gaming consoles, smartphones, more)
  • Social Media (TikTok, X, Meta, more)
  • Internet Culture (Memes, influencers, viral trends)
  • Disinformation
EducationWilliam graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2018. There, he studied English, communications, and adolescent education, alongside reporting news for the university’s radio and TV stations.Outside workWhen he’s not reporting, you can usually find William biking through Central Park, playing video games, or at home listening to music and writing fanfiction. He’s also a co-manager of the New York Mandolin Ensemble, one of NYC’s premier string orchestras.You can contact him at w.antonelli322@gmail.com, visit his official website at williamantonelli.com, or follow him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher and BlueSky @wantonelli.bsky.social.