How To Check Version Of Windows

Ask someone which version of Windows they have, and they might already know if it'south Windows 7, eight.i, 10, or 11. (By the way, if you lot're on Windows 7, nosotros recommend upgrading—information technology'due south past its end of life.)

Merely every bit important is the edition y'all have—that is, if you're running Home or Pro. Some features are merely available to you with Windows Pro, like BitLocker, which allows you to encrypt your storage drive.

Regardless which bit of information you need, figuring out exactly which Windows y'all're running is piece of cake. You lot can do it one of several ways:

Method 1: Via the This PC icon on your desktop

PCWorld

If yous have the This PC icon showing on your Windows desktop, y'all can simply right-click on information technology, and choose Properties. The System window will appear. Y'all'll observe your Windows version and edition at the top.

Method 2: Via Windows search

PCWorld

Printing the Windows key on your keyboard or click on the Start icon in your taskbar, so enter system. A search result for System in the Command Console should appear. Select that, and you should run across a window that shows your Windows version and edition upwardly tiptop.

Method 3: Via Settings

PCWorld

Afterwards clicking on the Start icon in your taskbar or pressing the Windows primal on your keyboard, blazon near your pc. A search result for About your PC nether Settings should appear. Select information technology, and then scroll down to Windows specifications in the window that appears.

Method 4: Via the Control Panel

PCWorld

For the old-schoolhouse crowd, you can bring up the Control Panel, then select System. (You may need to kickoff change your View Past settings to either large or small icons.) When that window appears, your Windows version and edition is correct at the meridian.

Method five: Via the Run window

PCWorld

On your keyboard, press the Windows key + R. The Run control window will announced. Type winver into the text box, so hit enter. Toward the center of the window, a big block of copyright info volition starting time off with your Windows version and edition.

Looking to upgrade?

Are you checking your version of Windows considering yous're interested in moving up to Windows 11 and want to know what to expect on the other side? Exist sure to also check out our Windows 11 upgrade checklist, likewise every bit our instructions for how to perform the upgrade. If you lot're instead seeking more features for Windows x, we've got a guide on how to upgrade from Windows x Home to Pro.

And for anyone trying to go onto Windows 10 from Win 7 or 8.1, read up on the cheap (and even costless) ways y'all can make the jump. It'south the first step you lot should take in guild to get a free upgrade to Windows 11—you tin can save lots of money if yous're willing to invest a little time.

Notation: When you purchase something after clicking links in our manufactures, we may earn a small committee. Read our affiliate link policy for more details.