How to check your system on a computer. How to find out the Windows version? Universal method

Don't know what Windows is on your computer? Determining this is elementary simple. Of course, such a question may seem stupid or even funny to most, but such a situation can really arise. For example, they brought you someone else’s laptop/computer and asked you to install some program, but for which version of Windows should you download it? It is precisely for such cases that this article was written.

1. Using system properties. Open my computer, and right-click on the empty area, then click “properties”. Or, without opening the computer, do the same with its shortcut on the desktop.

In the open window you will see all the information about this computer, including what version of the operating system is installed.

1. In my opinion, the easiest way. Minimize all windows, let only the desktop remain in front of you and press 2 keys simultaneously windows + R. In the window that opens, enter/paste the command “WinVer.” (with a period, without quotes). That's it, the desired result is in front of you.

1. Via the command line, using systeminfo. Enter the command as shown in the screenshot and you will receive a response with your windows version.

You can also use the command (as in the second case) cmd /k systeminfo

1. We execute the command again. Call it using the Win.+R keys and enter msinfo Then press ok or Enter

And this window will appear in front of you:

Here are the 4 easiest ways to find out which Windows is installed on your computer or laptop.

According to the old tradition, for those who do not like to read and prefer to watch the video, I add it:

Many users do not know how to find out the Windows version.

And this is very important for those cases when it is necessary to understand, for example, whether the computer meets the system requirements for a particular game.

This is also necessary if the user wants to see some features of his system, the nuances of working with it, and so on.

Sometimes you need to find out not the version, but the bit depth - 32 or 64 bits.

In fact, finding out which version of Windows is installed on your computer is quite simple. Different versions have their own special methods for this, but there are also several universal ones.

Let's look at each way to find out the operating system version.

Using the My Computer shortcut

In fact, this is the simplest method that works in almost all versions of Windows, at least on one of the most popular ones now, Windows 7.

It consists of performing the following actions:

• Right-click on the “My Computer” shortcut.
• In the drop-down menu, select the item called “Properties” (highlighted in Figure “1”).

• In the window that opens, we can see all the operating system data, including its build version and other features. This window is shown in Figure 2.
  There, the place where you can see the system version is highlighted in red (as we see, in our case it is Windows 7 Home Basic).
  The assembly version is underlined in blue, the bit depth (32 or 64 bits) is in lilac, and the so-called performance index is highlighted in green. The latter involves rating the system on a scale from 1 to 10 depending on its performance.

Nuances

Advice! Actually, this method is applicable for a variety of versions of Windows. .

To put it there, you need to right-click on an empty space on the desktop, select “Personalization”, then in the window shown in Figure 3 go to the “Themes” tab (highlighted in green).

After this, all that remains is to click “OK” and restart the computer.

In Windows XP, the window shown in Figure No. 2 will look slightly different - as shown in Figure No. 5.

In Windows 8, this window looks like shown in Figure 6.

This method often does not work in Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, as well as RT 8.1. Therefore, let’s look at what users of these OSes should do.

For Windows 10

To find out what version of the installed system is on this operating system, you need to do the following:

• Using the command line, launch the “Options” window. To do this, first press Win + R on your keyboard (without the plus sign), enter “winver” in the input line and press Enter. After this, the window shown in Figure 7 will appear.
  The version there is underlined in red.

• Press the keyboard shortcut Win + I. In the window that opens, open the “System” item and in the menu on the left go to the “About the system” tab. After this, the user will see the window shown in Figure 8.
  It looks very similar to the corresponding window in previous versions of Windows.

By the way, the first method (using the command line) also works in most other versions of Windows.

For Windows 8.1

Here, to find out the version of the installed system, you need to do the following:

• In the menu that is located on the right (in most cases, for it to appear, you need to hover the mouse cursor over the right edge of the screen), you must select the so-called “Options” charm. Its appearance is shown in Figure 9.

• In the window that opens, select the “Change computer settings” button (shown in Figure 10).

• In the next window, you need to select the “Computer and Devices” button, and then go to the “Computer Information” item (shown in Figure No. 11). There, in the “Windows” section, you can see the version of the installed operating system.
  The “Computer” section shows the most basic parameters of the device.

No. 11. System Information item in the Computer and Devices menu

Currently, the most popular operating systems are: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux, Mac OS. Linux and Mac OS users usually know the name on their computer. But the large army of Windows users are often at a loss as to how to recognize the operating system on their computer.

This may be necessary before subscribing to a course or, moreover, purchasing an information product or installing a new program or game.

Unfortunately, the authors of paid (and free) courses do not always indicate which operating system they use to teach computer literacy and similar things. And if you have Windows XP on your computer, then a course on Windows 7 or Windows 8 is unlikely to help you. In addition, many programs and games are designed for a specific operating system.

To find out the computer system there are at least three ways:

1. win team,
2. right-click (right mouse button) on the “Start” button or on the “Computer” icon,
3. Microsoft to help us.

The second and third methods provide more complete information about the operating system on the computer, but let’s start with the first method.

1. How to find out the operating system of a computer using the Winver command

How to enter the winver command? A quick method (we will talk about another method):

1) press two keys simultaneously: with the Windows logo + R,

Rice. 1. Two keys are highlighted in red: the bottom one with the Windows logo and the top one with the letter R

2) the “Run” window will appear, in which, without errors and without quotes, enter the “winver” command:

Rice. 2. The “Run” window in Windows 10 (the window looks the same in Win 7, 8.1, XP), where in the “Open” line we enter “winver”

3) then select OK (Fig. 2).

Don't have a Windows logo key on your keyboard? You can do without it; we will consider this separately for four different versions.

1.1.Windows 10 and the winver command

If the above option in Figures 1 and 2 is not suitable, for example, due to the absence of a key with the Windows logo, we will use the search system, which is available in all Windows systems.

Rice. 3. Search for the winver command in Windows 10

• 1 in Fig. 3 – click the magnifying glass icon, which opens Search on your computer,
• 2 – type in the search line that appears: winver,
• 3 in Fig. 3 – click on “winver Execute command”.

As a result, a window will appear describing the operating system on your device:

Rice. 4. Result of the Winver command: information about the operating system

The information provided in Fig. 4 is sometimes not enough. To learn more about the 10-ke system, see

1.2. winver for Windows 8 (8.1)

To use this command, you can use the Windows logo button + R, more details.

Another option that does not require commands is to use Windows 8 (8.1) search:

Rice. 5. Search for the winver command in Windows 8

• 1 in Fig. 5 – open Search,
• 2 – enter winver,
• 3 in Fig. 5 – click on winver.exe.

As a result, we get something like this:

Rice. 6. Winver execution summary - information about Windows 8

At one time, I updated Win 8 to 8.1 and everything was fine, until one unlucky day after the update, the tablet with 8.1 suddenly stopped working. Samsung was disappointing: only the native Win 8, which was originally installed by the manufacturer of the tablet computer, and no updates to 8.1. Therefore, in Fig. 6 the inscription is with 8, not 8.1.

How to find out more about your 8, read

1.3. Windows 7 and the winver command

1.4. Windows XP and the winver command

If the Start button looks like in Fig. 9, then you are probably running Windows XP.

Rice. 9. Where is the Run command for Windows XP?

• Click on .
• In the menu that appears after this, click on the Run command (Fig. 9).

The “Launch the program” window appears (Fig. 10).

Rice. 10. Entering the Winver command for Windows XP

Enter the winver command, as shown in Fig. 10, and click on the “OK” button.

The “About Windows” window appears (Fig. 11), where you can find out information about the operating system on your computer, including its version:

Rice. 11. Result of running the Winver command for Windows XP

You can also talk about the Windows XP system in the following way.

There is an easier way to find out more about your operating system, without entering any commands.

2. How to find out the operating system of your computer using RMB (right mouse button)

Briefly, the essence of this method is that you need to right-click (Right Mouse Button) on the “Computer” or “My Computer” or “Start” icon.

If the RMB method is not suitable, then enter “system” or “computer” into the Search bar without quotes. All that remains is to click on the option that will be found as a result of the search. Then a window will open with complete information on your computer’s operating system.

2.1. About Windows 10

To get more information about your operating system (RAM size, processor, 64 or 32 bit, etc.), you can

• right-click (right mouse button) on the “Start” button,
• or click on the magnifying glass icon (next to the Start button) and enter “system” in the search bar without quotes.

Rice. 12. Right-click on the Start icon

• 1 in Fig. 12 – click “Start” with the right mouse button,
• 2 in Fig. 12 – in the menu that appears, click the “System” option.

As a result, the “About System” window will open:

Rice. 13. Windows 10 system information

2.2. About Windows 8

Rice. 14. Search for the Computer application using Search

• 1 in Fig. 14 – click Search,
• 2 – enter “computer” into the search bar without quotes,
• 3 in Fig. 14 – click on the “Computer” application,

In the window that appears after this, click with the left (or right) mouse button on the “Properties” option. As a result, the “View basic information about your computer” window will open (Fig. 15):

Rice. 15 (click on the picture to enlarge it). Windows 8 Basics

2.3. About the system in Windows 7

Rice. 16. RMB (right mouse button) for the Computer option in Windows 7

If the Start button looks like in Fig. 16 (number 1), which means you have Windows 7.

• 1 in Fig. 16 – Click on the Start button.
• 2 – Then right-click (right mouse button) on the “Computer” icon.
• 3 in Fig. 16 – A context menu appears, in which we click on the “Properties” link.

The “View basic information about your computer” window will appear (Fig. 17), in which you can find out the operating system installed on your computer, as well as information about the processor, RAM, etc.

Rice. 17. Computer Basics for Windows 7

2.4. About the system in Windows XP

If there is a “My Computer” icon, as in Fig. 18, which means you have Windows XP operating system. Click on this RMB icon (right mouse button), and in the drop-down menu click on the “Properties” link (Fig. 18).

Rice. 18. Properties for the My Computer icon in Windows XP

The “System Properties” window appears (Fig. 19):

Rice. 19. System properties with Windows XP

In this window, on the “General” tab, you can find out the name of your operating system, as well as information about the processor and RAM (random access memory).

Microsoft to help us

1) To go to the official Microsoft website, click on the link

2) The window “How can I find out my version of the Windows operating system?” will open.

Rice. 20. Microsoft determines the version of Windows after going to the page on its official website

Here you will immediately see which Windows you have (if the system is licensed).

By clicking on the small triangle (framed in Fig. 20) and selecting the Windows version: 10, 8.1 or 7, you will see instructions from Microsoft on how to find out the computer’s operating system and get more information about it (how much RAM, what processor , 32 or 64 bit system).

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It doesn’t matter why, but you may need to find out what version of the operating system is installed on the computer or what the bus width is. The main thing is that it is necessary. There are quite a few ways to find out about the operating system version. Some of them are accurate, others not so much. Well, let's start figuring out how to find out the version of Windows. For ease of understanding, what follows is a short theoretical introduction, looking at the most popular operating systems today.

What you need to know

It should be said that the versions (with sufficient experience) can be distinguished even visually. But there are two concepts of this word in relation to computer technology. The first relates to the operating systems themselves. They have improved along with the development of technology, and the article will discuss the most popular ones. The second concept mutually follows from the first and relates to bit depth. The operating system version can be 32-bit or 64-bit. Conventionally, this means how many actions occur in one unit of computer working time, which is negligible. In general, it should be noted that there are a number of signs that can be used to determine the version and bitness of a computer. You may notice the differences yourself or be able to find out about them in other ways. But in this case we are interested in accurately establishing the data.

Windows XP

How can I find out the Windows version in this case? Click on the start menu. A window will open, find the “My Computer” button. If you find it, it means you really have this version of the operating system. But how do you find out the bit depth? Right-click on “My Computer” and in the action menu that opens, select the “Properties” option. Next, a window will open, you need to find the “System” section. In this section, look for the line “x64 edition”. It is located at the top, closer to the right side of the window. If, after a detailed inspection, you cannot find such words, you can say with confidence that you are the owner of a 32-bit system. If your search is successful, congratulations! You have a 64-bit system. The sequence of such actions is determined by Windows XP versions.

Windows 7 or Vista

How to find out the Windows version in this case? Start again from the start. In the window that opens, just look for the line “Computer”. If you find it, it means you have this version. Call Then in the window that appears, look for the words “System type”. The bit capacity specific to your PC will be written next to them. The currently installed operating system of your computer or laptop will also be clearly indicated next to it. You may also notice “Release” at the top. This is the exact version you are using.

Windows 8 and 8.1 versions

How to find out the version of Windows, and what exactly is this instruction for you? If the initial screen type looks like it was designed for touch control, you are the owner of such an operating system. Here, in addition to the bit depth, you also need to determine what version of the operating system it is. With the eighth version, everything is simple: first you need to enter “Computer” on the initial screen, then right-click on the element that appears and select “Properties”. Next, in the window that opens, opposite “Release” and “System type” it will be indicated what’s what. If you can't use this advice, it means you have a different version of the operating system that is more suitable for touch technology.

With version 8.1 it’s a little more complicated: you need to move it to the lower right corner, then up. Click "Options" then "Change". Next, select “Computer and devices” and click on “Details”. The page that opens will indicate the version and bitness of the operating system.

First, let's figure out what exactly we are going to learn. With the version, everything is a no brainer: it is indicated by a number present in the system name (relevant for Windows 10, as well as 8/8.1 and 7) or a letter designation (XP or, for example, Vista).

This also works for server systems from Microsoft - for example, Windows Server 2012, and, of course, for other “old-school” operating systems in the line: Windows 95/98/ME (Millennium) and so on. The version also means the digital code of the installed assembly.

The operating system type, also called edition, determines the edition of Windows. Yes, yes, these are the same postscripts indicated after the system number: Home (Home), Pro (Professional) and so on. For example, in Windows 7, the Starter edition was a “stripped-down” inferior distribution with a lot of limitations and was intended mainly for home use on not the most powerful computers and laptops. While Ultimate (Maximum) endowed the PC with increased security and provided more functions - for example, the ability to join a corporate network or even deploy a server. But we all mostly played solitaire and Counter-Strike!..

In some understanding, the build number (English build) or, as it was called in Russian localization - system construction, determines the numerical identification of the program code used in the current version of the operating system. As a rule, it is not necessary for the average user to know it. “Build” may be of interest to some developer testing his, say, game on the system of a specific build.

Architecture (bit, bit version of Windows) is a set of commands for interaction of the operating system with the central processor of an information device (laptop, tablet or computer, for example).

Microsoft operating systems support the following processor architectures:

• ARM - currently used in the CPU of mobile devices;
• x86 (also known as x32) - used in early processors from industry giant Intel;
• x86-64 (another name is AMD64) - developed by AMD, is an extension to x86 and is used in almost all modern processors;
• IA-64 is a joint development of HP and Intel, which was conceived as a 64-bit analogue of x86 for home computers and laptops, but after the release of x86-64 it did not find use (now it is used mainly in servers).

As mentioned above, most modern CPUs are based on the x86-64 architecture, which allows the user to install both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit versions of the system on the computer. At the same time, the so-called Windows 64 will have an important advantage over Windows 32 - support for a larger amount of RAM and physical memory and, as a result, higher performance and the ability to handle large amounts of data. In other words, 16 GB of RAM installed in the computer will be defined as 4 in a 32-bit system, but you will get no more than 3.5. Such things.

How to find out the Windows version? See what is written on the installation disk of your OS.

If this is not possible, read the article further.

Find out the installed version and bitness of Windows through “Computer Properties”

The easiest way to find out what version of Windows is installed on your computer is to open its properties and look. To do this, open “Explorer”, find “This PC” (or “My Computer” if you are using a system younger than Windows 10), right-click on the icon and select “Properties” at the very bottom of the drop-down list. In the window that appears, you can see the version, release (type) and bit capacity of the system.

The method is preferred by most users. The only drawback is that there is no information about the system assembly.

How to determine the version and other OS parameters using the winver utility

The winver utility is used to collect and provide the user with information about the running system. To initialize, use the command window (go to “Start” - “Run” or press the Win and R key combination), in which enter the winver command as shown in the figure and click “OK”.

The Win key is usually located in the lower left corner of the keyboard!

The interface that opens will contain detailed data about the system. Except for the bit depth!

msinfo - all system information

Another way is to use the good old msinfo32 utility. In the “Run” window, enter msinfo32 , execute and admire the comprehensive result.

How to determine version by key

It is very easy to find out the Windows version by product activation key by using the official Volume Activation Management Tool 2.0 from Microsoft. Simply enter your productkey in the appropriate field and click the “Verify” button.

You can use the same method to find out which version of Windows the key you have lying around in your desktop drawer is from.

But what if the computer won't start?

This method is relevant for operating systems released before XP (including the latest), and allows you to determine the version of Windows by files, or more precisely, the prodspec.ini file, located at C:\Windows\System32.

The method will help people whose old computer does not boot, but it is necessary to find out which system is installed (for example, to restore the system itself or files). To do this, you need to download some RescueDisk or BootCD, then open the above file and find the line with the text - the data located next to it indicates the installed Windows distribution.

Other ways

But if suddenly, for some reason, the methods presented above for determining the version of Windows on a laptop or computer did not suit you...

Find out the OS version via Windows CMD

The command line is the best friend of both the amateur beginner and the bearded system administrator. Finding out the Windows version from the command line is simple: and enter the systeminfo command, which will almost instantly collect and provide you with detailed information about the system.

You can also use the systeminfo command in PowerShell.

Determine Windows version using the registry

The Windows registry also contains information about the installed OS. To access it, enter the regedit command in the same “Run”. Next, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion and find the necessary information.

How to programmatically detect Windows version

There are a large number of programs from third-party developers, the functionality of which allows you to determine the installed system and collect information about it - for example, AIDA64. However, all such programs only use the built-in capabilities of the OS, which we wrote about above, so the advisability of using them for these purposes remains questionable.

How to find out the version of Windows recorded on a disk or flash drive

To find out the version of Windows on the installation disk or bootable USB flash drive, open the media through Explorer, find the setup.exe file, right-click on it and select “Properties” in the context menu. In the file properties window that appears, go to the “Details” tab and pay attention to the “Product version” column.

How to find out the version of Windows Phone

Although the mobile version of the operating system from Microsoft has not found such widespread use as its desktop counterpart, it still raised a number of questions.

So, if you want to find out which version of Windows Phone is installed on your gadget, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and swipe left to select Apps.
2. Next “Settings”, “About device”, “More details”.

Here (in the “Software” column) you will see the name of the installed operating system (for example, Windows Phone 8). Additionally, you can find out the build version in the “OS Version” column.

The version of Windows CE (which, in fact, is a completely different OS and is used mainly in Chinese navigators) is determined in a similar way.

P.S

Thank you for reading our article to the end, thereby gaining the most complete understanding of how to find out the version and other parameters of your system. We hope you didn't do it in vain!

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