The fastest way to check your Windows version

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then hit Enter. Once Settings opens, click "System" on the left side, then scroll down and click "About". Your Windows version appears near the top — you'll see either "Windows 10" or "Windows 11", followed by a version number like "23H2" or "22H2".

That's the complete answer. If you need to know your version for a software download, a tech support call, or to check if your computer can run something specific, this is where you find it. The rest of this guide shows you other ways to get the same information, depending on what you're comfortable with or what your situation requires.

Key Takeaways

  • Settings > System > About shows your Windows version and build number in under 30 seconds.
  • You can also right-click "This PC" on your desktop or in File Explorer and select "Properties" to see the same information.
  • The "winver" command opens a dedicated window showing your version, build, and system information all in one place.
  • Your version number (like 23H2) tells you which update you're running; your build number (like 19045) is more specific for troubleshooting.

Using the Settings app (the easiest method)

Press the Windows key on your keyboard — it's the key with the Windows logo, usually between Ctrl and Alt on the left side. Type "Settings" and press Enter. The Settings app opens to a home screen with several options.

On the left side of the Settings window, you'll see a menu. Click "System" — it's usually near the top. A new panel appears on the right side. Scroll down to the bottom of this panel and click "About". Your Windows version appears in the first section, labeled "Edition". You'll also see your "Version" number and your "OS Build" number. Write these down if you need them for support or software downloads.

Right-clicking "This PC" from your desktop or File Explorer

Look for an icon on your desktop called "This PC" or "My Computer". If you don't see it on your desktop, open File Explorer (press Windows key + E) and look for "This PC" in the left sidebar. Right-click on it and select "Properties" from the menu that appears.

A window opens showing your system information. Scroll down slightly and you'll see "Windows edition" and "Version" listed. This method shows the same information as Settings, just in a different layout. Some people find this easier because everything appears in one window without scrolling through multiple screens.

Using the "winver" command for a dedicated window

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type "winver" (without quotes) and press Enter. A window titled "About Windows" opens immediately, showing your Windows edition, version number, OS build, and system information all together.

This method is useful if you're on the phone with tech support and they ask for your build number — you can read it directly from this window without navigating through menus. The window also shows your system uptime (how long since your computer last restarted) and your system manufacturer information.

Understanding what each number means

Windows shows you three pieces of information: your Edition, your Version, and your OS Build. Your Edition is either Windows 10 or Windows 11 — this tells you which major release you're running. Your Version number (like 23H2, 22H2, or 21H2) tells you which update within that edition you have. Your OS Build is a longer number (like 19045 or 22621) that identifies the exact build of Windows installed on your computer.

For most purposes, you only need to know your Edition and Version. If you're downloading software, the website usually just asks "Do you have Windows 10 or Windows 11?" and you're done. If you're calling tech support or posting in a forum for help, they might ask for your build number to narrow down which specific update is causing a problem.

What to do if you see something unexpected

If Settings shows "Windows 10" but you thought you had Windows 11, or vice versa, your computer is running the version it shows. You can't change your Windows edition by checking a box — upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 requires downloading and installing a major update, which takes time and may require your computer to restart multiple times.

If the version number looks very old (like 21H2 when current versions are 23H2), your computer may not have installed recent updates. Open Settings, go to "System", then click "Windows Update" and select "Check for updates". Windows will download and install any missing updates, which may take several hours and require a restart.

Checking Windows version on older computers

If your computer is running Windows 7 or Windows 8, the steps are slightly different. Right-click "This PC" or "My Computer" and select "Properties". A window opens showing your Windows edition at the top. You won't see a "Version" number because those older editions didn't use version numbers — Windows 7 is just Windows 7, and Windows 8 is just Windows 8.

If you're running Windows 7, Microsoft stopped supporting it in January 2020, which means it no longer receives security updates. If you're running Windows 8, support ended in January 2016. If you're using either of these versions, consider upgrading to Windows 10 or Windows 11 to keep your computer secure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my version number have letters like "H2" in it?

Windows releases updates twice a year — one in spring (H1) and one in fall (H2). The "H" stands for "half" and the number tells you which half of the year the update came out. Version 23H2 means the update came out in the second half of 2023. This is just how Microsoft labels their updates; you don't need to do anything with this information.

Is my Windows version the same as my build number?

No. Your version (like 23H2) is a label for the update. Your build number (like 19045) is the specific code version. Think of it like a car model versus a serial number — the model tells you what you have, the serial number identifies your exact copy. Tech support usually asks for the build number when they need to pinpoint a specific issue.

Can I check my Windows version from the command prompt?

Yes. Press Windows key + R, type "cmd", and press Enter. In the black command prompt window, type "systeminfo" and press Enter. Scroll up to find "OS Name" and "OS Version". This shows the same information as the Settings app, just in text format instead of a graphical window.

What if I can't find the About section in Settings?

Try the right-click method instead: right-click "This PC" on your desktop or in File Explorer and select "Properties". If you still can't find your version information, try the winver command (Windows key + R, type "winver", press Enter). One of these three methods works on every Windows computer.

Does checking my Windows version use any of my internet data?

No. Checking your version only looks at information already stored on your computer. It doesn't download anything or contact Microsoft's servers. You can check your version as many times as you want without affecting your internet usage or your computer's performance.