You should know which version of Windows you’re running, right? It should tell you right at the startup or the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of your operating system. However, when people want to know what version of Windows they’re running, they’re referring specifically to its build.
It’s not “Windows 10″—it’s the specific edition, version, or whatnot of Windows 10! Like “Windows Windows 10 Pro Version 21H1 with OS Build 19043.1706.”
Why Do You Need to Know the Windows Version?
When troubleshooting your computer, it comes in handy to know what build and version of Windows you’re using even though you should know if you’re using Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11 (the latest ones in recent memory).
This helps you or your computer technician to zero-in on any problems your desktop or laptop PC might be experiencing. How to approach bugs, glitches, and errors varies on whether you’re using a 32-bit or 64-bit OS as well as what specific Windows version you’re on.
It can also help you to download the right build of Windows so that you have everything you need in case of a reformat and whatnot. You don’t need to download more updates to get to another build.
This handy guide intends to show you which Windows you’re running in a couple of methods as well as tell you whether you’re using a 32-bit or 64-bit OS.
Method 1: Use the Start Button to Go to Settings
Step 1: Go to the “Start” button and then select the gear icon, which represents “Settings“.
Step 2: Click on “Settings” to bring up the Settings window.
Step 3: Your Settings window should then appear first as a blue window and then as the app itself. Since I’m using a Lenovo, my PC account is labeled as “Lenovo”.
Step 4: Select and click on “System” (the one that handles “Display, sound, notifications, power”) to get to the System Settings window.
Step 5: On the System Settings window, scroll down or click and drag the scroll bar on the left pane until you see the “About” section. Now click on that.
Step 6: Scroll down using the rightmost scrollbar in order to see the specs, version, build, and so forth of your PC’s Windows OS.
My Windows 10 info is this:
Edition Windows 10 Pro
Version 21H1
Installed on 10/3/2021
OS build 19043.1706
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4170.0
You can press the “Copy” button to copy that info yourself.
Method 2: Right-Click Properties to Access “About”
Step 1: Let’s now try out the shortcut version of the above method. Open “This PC” on your taskbar.
Step 2: On the new window, right-click “Local Disk (C):” or its equivalent on your PC then select the “Properties” button.
Step 3: Alternatively, you can also right-click the “This PC” on the left-hand pane where your shortcut menus are and get the same results. Just click “Properties” on that menu as well.
Step 4: Both Step 2 and 3 will lead you directly to the “About” section of your system settings without needing to open system settings. Just scroll down to “Windows specifications” and you’re good to go.
Method 3: The Run Method
Step 1: Press your Windows key and the R key together (Win + R). This will summon your Run dialog box. You can also right-click the Start button and select “Run” to get the same result.
Step 2: On the Run dialog box, type in “Winver” and then press Enter or click “OK“.
Step 3: This will bring up a “brand new” window that’s different from the “About” section of your system settings. This too also lists your Windows version, among other pertinent information.
Find Out Your Windows System Type
Step 1: Just do either Method 1 or Method 2 to access the “About” section of your system settings. From there, you’ll see just above
Step 2: There’s another alternative way to reach the “About” section. It involves going to the “Control Panel”. First, type “Control Panel” on your Windows search bar then open it.
Step 3: On the Control Panel, under “All Control Panel Items“, select the icon for “System” and press enter or double-click it to open it.
Step 4: Clicking on “System” icon results in the “About” section to appear as well. You can check the system type from there. My copy of Windows 10 is running as a 64-bit OS.
The Verdict
The easiest method of finding your Windows version and build is to click on the Start button, right-click the computer or “This PC”, choose “Properties” from the right-click menu, then the resulting screen should show you the Windows version, among other info.
You can also go to the Start button, the “Settings” gear icon, “System”, and “About” in order to get to the same section showing Windows specifications. You can also use the “Run” dialog box to type in “Winver” to get a different About Windows box up.
References:
- Travis Boylis, “How to Check Your Windows Version“, August 24, 2020
- Dave Johnson and William Antonelli, “What Version of Windows Do I Have?“, Business Insider, October 6, 2021
- “How to Determine Your Operating System“, Intel.com, Retrieved June 12, 2022
- “Which version of Windows operating system am I running?“, Microsoft.com Support, Retrieved June 12, 2022