Knowing which version of Windows you have is useful when troubleshooting problems, installing software, checking compatibility, or following a Windows tutorial. When someone says they are using Windows 11 or Windows 10, that only tells you the general operating system. Windows also has different editions, versions, builds, and system architectures.
For example, two computers can both run Windows 11 while having different versions such as 23H2 or 24H2. You may also need to know whether you are running Windows 11 Home or Pro, whether the system is 64-bit, and which OS build is installed.
Fortunately, Windows provides several simple ways to find this information. You don’t need to install additional software, and most methods take only a few seconds.
1. Check Your Windows Version Using Settings
The easiest method on Windows 11 and Windows 10 is through the Settings app.
Press Windows + I to open Settings.
On Windows 11, select System from the left side and then click About.
On Windows 10, go to:
Settings > System > About
Look under Windows specifications.
You will typically find information such as:
- Edition – For example, Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro
- Version – Such as 24H2
- Installed on – The date Windows was installed
- OS build – The specific Windows build number
- Experience – Additional Windows feature information
This is usually the best method when you need to provide information to technical support.
For example, your system might show:
Edition: Windows 11 Pro
Version: 24H2
OS build: 26100.xxxx
The version and build are particularly useful when troubleshooting because Windows receives regular updates that can change the build number.
2. Use the Winver Command
Another extremely quick method is the built-in winver command.
Press:
Windows + R
The Run dialog will appear.
Type:
winver
Press Enter.
A window named About Windows will appear.
It displays the Windows edition and version you’re running. Depending on your Windows release, you may also see the OS build number.
This method works on both Windows 11 and Windows 10.
The advantage of winver is that you don’t have to navigate through multiple Settings menus. It’s particularly useful when someone asks you to quickly confirm your Windows version.
3. Find Your Version Using System Information
Windows includes another built-in utility called System Information.
Press Windows + R.
Enter:
msinfo32
Press Enter.
The System Information window will open.
Look for OS Name and Version in the System Summary.
You may see information similar to:
OS Name: Microsoft Windows 11 Home
Version: 10.0.26100 Build 26100
System Information provides much more than just your Windows version. It can also show your processor, BIOS information, installed memory, system manufacturer, hardware configuration, and other details.
This makes it especially useful when troubleshooting hardware and software problems.
4. Use Command Prompt
You can also check your Windows version from Command Prompt.
Open Start and search for:
Command Prompt
Open it and enter:
winver
However, this launches the same About Windows window described earlier.
For information directly in the Command Prompt, you can use:
systeminfo
Press Enter and wait while Windows gathers system information.
Look near the beginning of the output for information such as:
- OS Name
- OS Version
- System Type
- System Manufacturer
- System Model
If you only need the Windows version, winver is faster. If you’re troubleshooting a computer and need broader system information, systeminfo is more useful.
5. Use PowerShell
PowerShell provides another way to identify your Windows version.
Open Start and search for:
PowerShell
Open Windows PowerShell or PowerShell.
You can enter:
Get-ComputerInfo
This returns a large amount of information.
If you want to focus specifically on the Windows version, use:
Get-ComputerInfo | Select-Object WindowsProductName, WindowsVersion, OsBuildNumber
You may receive output similar to:
WindowsProductName : Windows 11 Pro
WindowsVersion : 24H2
OsBuildNumber : 26100
PowerShell is particularly useful if you’re managing multiple computers or troubleshooting Windows through commands.
6. Check Whether You Have Windows 10 or Windows 11
If you’re not even sure whether your computer is running Windows 10 or Windows 11, you can identify it quickly through Settings.
Press:
Windows + I
Then go to:
System > About
Under Windows specifications, check Edition.
You can also use:
winver
The About Windows window will clearly identify the operating system.
Another quick clue is the Windows interface itself, but visual differences aren’t always reliable because users can customize Windows or use third-party applications.
Checking the operating system information directly is much more accurate.
7. Find Your Windows Edition
Knowing the version isn’t always enough. You may also need to know your Windows edition.
Common editions include:
- Windows 11 Home
- Windows 11 Pro
- Windows 11 Enterprise
- Windows 11 Education
- Windows 10 Home
- Windows 10 Pro
- Windows 10 Enterprise
- Windows 10 Education
To check your edition, open:
Settings > System > About
Look under Windows specifications.
The Edition field tells you which edition is installed.
This information can be important because certain Windows features are available only in specific editions.
For example, professional and enterprise editions include features that aren’t available in Windows Home.
8. Find Your Windows Build Number
The build number is useful when troubleshooting a specific Windows problem.
Open:
Settings > System > About
Under Windows specifications, locate OS build.
You can also press:
Windows + R
and enter:
winver
The build number may look something like:
26100.XXXX
The first portion identifies the major Windows build, while the additional digits can identify a particular update level.
If a support article says that a problem occurs on a particular build, comparing your build number can help determine whether your computer is affected.
9. Find Your Windows Version With System Properties
Windows also has a traditional system-information interface.
Press:
Windows + R
Type:
sysdm.cpl
Press Enter.
The System Properties window will open.
The interface can provide information about your computer and Windows installation, although newer versions of Windows increasingly direct users toward the Settings application.
For most users, Settings > System > About or winver is simpler.
10. Check Whether Windows Is 64-bit or 32-bit
Sometimes people use “Windows version” to mean whether Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit.
This is separate from the Windows release itself.
To check it, open:
Settings > System > About
Look for System type under Device specifications.
You may see something similar to:
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
or:
64-bit operating system, ARM-based processor
The first part tells you whether Windows itself is 64-bit.
The processor architecture is also shown. Modern Intel and AMD Windows PCs normally use x64, while newer Windows PCs using Snapdragon processors use ARM64.
This distinction is important when downloading applications because some programs have separate versions for x64 and ARM64 systems.
Conclusion
Finding your Windows version is quick and doesn’t require any third-party software. The simplest option is to press Windows + R, type winver, and press Enter. If you need more detailed information, open Settings > System > About and look under Windows specifications.
There you can find your Windows edition, version, installation date, and OS build. You can also check your system type to determine whether you’re running a 64-bit or ARM-based version of Windows.
For advanced troubleshooting, tools such as System Information, Command Prompt, and PowerShell provide additional details.
Knowing your exact Windows version is especially important when installing software, downloading drivers, following troubleshooting instructions, or determining whether your PC has a particular Windows feature. When asking someone for technical help, providing the edition, version, and build number can save considerable time and ensure you receive instructions that match your installation.
FAQs
1. How do I know if I have Windows 11 24H2?
Press Windows + R, type winver, and press Enter. The About Windows window will display your Windows version. You can also open Settings > System > About and check the Version field under Windows specifications.
2. What is the difference between a Windows version and build number?
The version identifies a major Windows release, such as 24H2. The OS build provides more specific information about the Windows installation and its update level. Both can be useful when troubleshooting compatibility or software problems.
3. How can I tell whether my Windows is Home or Pro?
Open Settings > System > About and look under Windows specifications. The Edition field will show whether you have Windows 11 Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, or another edition.
4. How do I check if my Windows is 64-bit?
Open Settings > System > About and find System type under Device specifications. It will indicate whether you’re using a 64-bit or 32-bit operating system and will also identify the processor architecture.



