The fastest way to check any Windows software version

The version number of a program tells you whether you have the latest release, an older build, or something in between. On Windows, you can find this information in three places: the program's Help menu, the Properties window, or Settings. Most programs put the version number in the Help menu first — look for "About [Program Name]" — and that's usually the quickest route.

If the Help menu doesn't have it, right-click the program's icon or shortcut, select Properties, and look at the Details tab. Windows also tracks some software versions in Settings under Apps, though not every program reports there. This guide walks you through each method so you can find the version number no matter which program you're checking.

Key Takeaways

  • The About menu inside a program (usually under Help) shows the version number fastest and most reliably.
  • Right-clicking a program icon and opening Properties, then the Details tab, reveals version information Windows has recorded.
  • Windows Settings under Apps shows installed software and versions for programs that report to the system, though not all do.
  • Version numbers follow different formats — some use simple numbers like 5.2, others use dates like 2024.1, so read the label next to the number.
  • If a program won't show its version anywhere, the file's creation date in Properties can tell you roughly how old the installation is.

Checking the About menu inside the program

Open the program you want to check. Look at the top menu bar for Help, About, or a question mark icon. Click it and select "About [Program Name]" — for example, "About Firefox" or "About Notepad++". A small window will pop up showing the version number, usually near the top.

This method works for nearly every Windows program because it's the standard place developers put version information. The version number might be labeled "Version:", "Release:", or just appear as a number like "24.0.1" or "2024.01". Write down the full number exactly as it appears — the digits after the main version matter when you're checking whether an update is available.

If you don't see a Help menu, check the three-line menu icon (sometimes called a hamburger menu) in the top right corner of the program window. Some modern programs hide the traditional menu bar there. Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and many newer applications use this layout.

Using the Properties window to find version details

Right-click the program's icon on your desktop or in your Start menu. Select Properties from the menu that appears. A window will open with several tabs across the top — click the Details tab. Scroll down until you see "File version" or "Product version". The number next to it is what you're looking for.

This method shows what Windows itself knows about the program file. The Details tab also displays other useful information like the file size, creation date, and the company that made it. If the program hasn't been updated in years, the creation date here will reflect that — for example, a file created in 2019 is almost certainly an older version.

Not every program reports version information to Windows, so you might see blank fields or "Not available" next to File version. If that happens, go back to the About menu method instead. Some portable programs (ones that don't install normally) also skip this step, so the About menu is your backup plan.

Checking Windows Settings for installed software

Open Windows Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Go to Apps, then Apps & features. Scroll through the list or search for the program name at the top. Click the program name and a panel will slide out showing details, including the version number if the program reports it.

This view shows you every program Windows knows about, which is useful if you want to check multiple versions at once. However, portable programs, older software, and some specialized tools don't appear here because they don't register with Windows during installation. If you don't see your program listed, it's not missing — it's just not reporting to this system.

The version number in Settings matches what you'd see in the About menu, so this is mainly useful for a quick overview of all your software at once. If you're trying to decide whether to update a single program, the About menu is still faster.

Understanding version number formats

Version numbers don't follow one standard format, so you need to read the label carefully. Some programs use simple numbers like "5.2" or "12.1.3", where each number separated by a dot represents a different level of update. Others use dates like "2024.01" or "2024.1.15", where the year comes first. A few use letters and numbers together, like "Version 3.5 Beta" or "Release 21a".

The first number is usually the most important — if you have version 5 and the latest is version 6, you're one major update behind. The numbers after the first dot represent smaller updates and bug fixes. For example, version 5.2.1 is newer than 5.2, but both are the same major release. If you're checking whether you need an update, compare your full version number to what the program's website lists as current.

Date-based versions work the same way — 2024.01 is older than 2024.02, and 2024.02 is older than 2025.01. Write down the entire version number when you check it, because a single digit difference means you're on a different build.

What to do if the program won't show its version

Some very old programs, portable tools, or custom software don't display version information anywhere. If you've checked the About menu, Properties Details tab, and Settings with no luck, look at the file's creation date in the Properties window. Right-click the program icon, select Properties, and look at the "Date created" field. This won't tell you the exact version, but it tells you roughly how old the installation is.

If the creation date is more than two years old, the program is likely outdated. If it's recent but the program still won't show a version, contact the person or company that gave you the software — they can tell you what build you have. For open-source programs, check the developer's website or GitHub page, where version history is usually listed.

As a last resort, you can search for the program name plus "version" in your web browser to see what the current release is, then compare features or file size to guess whether yours is current. This isn't precise, but it's better than nothing for software that refuses to identify itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my program show different version numbers in different places?

Some programs report different numbers to Windows than they display in their own About menu. This usually happens when a program updates its internal version tracking but hasn't updated what it reports to the operating system. The version in the About menu is almost always the correct one to use when checking for updates.

Does Windows 10 and Windows 11 show version numbers differently?

No. The About menu, Properties Details tab, and Settings all work the same way in both versions. The Settings app looks slightly different between Windows 10 and 11, but the Apps & features section is in the same place and shows version information the same way.

Can I find the version number of software that's already uninstalled?

Not easily. Once a program is removed, Windows deletes its information from Settings and the Properties window. If you need to know what version you had, check your download history in your web browser, or look for old installation files in your Downloads folder — the filename sometimes includes the version number.

What if the version number has letters in it, like "3.5 Beta"?

Beta, Alpha, RC (Release Candidate), and similar labels mean the program is a test version, not a final release. These are usually older than the stable version with the same number. For example, "5.0 Beta" is older than "5.0" without the Beta label. Avoid using beta versions for important work unless you specifically need to test new features.

Is there a way to see version history for all my programs at once?

Windows Settings under Apps & features shows all installed programs and their versions in one place, which is the closest you'll get. You can screenshot or write down the list if you need a record. Some third-party system information tools like Speccy also display this information, but the built-in Settings view is usually sufficient.