Every installation of Windows has a major version, a specific version, and a build number. While you might never, ever need to know the specific version or the build number of your Windows installation, it is important to know which major version of Windows your machine is running.

Additionally, it looks like time to come updates to Windows will come in the class of new Windows 10 builds every 6 months. In other words, future updates might exist chosen something similar Windows ten [Build Name]. The latest version of Windows 10 is 20H2, released on October twenty, 2022. The next versions in 2022 will be 21H1 and 21H2.

This makes sense considering Microsoft is moving away from making coin on licensing specific versions of software and towards making coin on software as a service (SaaS) where your software subscription includes future updates.

If indeed that's the way it plays out with updates to Windows 10. Eventually, information technology will be of import to know the build number/name of the instance of Windows ten installed on your figurer.

Why Should I Care?

By knowing which version of Windows you have, you'll be in adept shape when it comes time to update device drivers or determine what apps you lot tin can install on your estimator.

Furthermore, when you search for instructions on how to do something specific on your computer, yous tin ensure that the instructions are tailored for your operating system.

What Practise I Need to Know?

In addition to the major version, the specific version, and the build number, you'll also want to know whether your installation of Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit. That, too, tin determine what software will work on your calculator or which set up of instructions to follow. Nosotros'll testify you lot how to find all those pieces of information beneath.

What's What: Major Version, Specific Version, and Build Number

The major version is the edition of Windows. If your calculator is new, it is extremely likely that it's running Windows 10. Support for Windows seven concluded on Jan fourteen, 2022.

Every bit you might suspect, Microsoft recommends that you "move to a Windows ten PC" and so they tin automatically push security upgrades to your PC. That'due south all well and good if you accept the resources to get a new computer running Windows x. But if you lot don't, it'south all the same useful to know what version of Windows you lot have.

The specific version of Windows will be a number, most likely four digits, like 1909. The build number will be a longer numeric string, such equally 19041.867. Every bit mentioned to a higher place, hereafter builds of Windows 10 are anticipated to have names, non numbers.

How to Notice Your Windows Version

Nosotros'll show you several ways to observe what version of Windows is installed on your calculator. Each method reveals different types of information, so choose the best one based on your needs.

Using File Explorer

  1. Launch Windows File Explorer by pressing Win+E or by typing File Explorer in the Windows search bar and selecting the app.
  2. Observe This PC on the left. In older versions of Windows, expect for My Figurer.
  3. Right-click on This PC (or My Computer).
  4. Select Properties.
  1. That will display a window showing basic information nearly your PC, including the version of Windows that it's running.

If you're running Windows 10 20H2 or higher, you'll at present be brought to the system information (Nearly) page in Settings rather than Command Panel:

The Command Console shows that the PC is running Windows ten Pro and has a 64-bit Operating System. This screen does not tell you the build number of Windows or version. The new About screen in the Settings app, however, requite you all of that data.

Using Winver

Hither's another way to determine the version of Windows yous have that will probable work whether you have Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7.

  1. Agree downwardly the Windows key and press R (Win+R) to launch the Run dialogue or type Run into Windows search and select Run.
  1. Blazon Winver.
  1. Press Enter or select the OK button.
  2. That volition launch an About Windows console with all the info you're looking for.

The screenshot in a higher place shows us that the PC is running Windows x, Version 2004, and Build 19041.867.

Using the Control Panel or Settings App

You can utilise either the Settings app or Command Panel to get information about your PC. Slowly, Microsoft is migrating to the Settings app, and so we'll beginning at that place.

Click on the Start button and so click on the Settings icon (gear).

Click on System.

Finally, click on Almost at the lesser of the left-hand pane. This will bring yous to the same Nigh screen as mentioned in the first method higher up.

The second method is via the Control Panel. This method volition show yous the version of Windows on your PC too every bit the system type – whether it's a 64-bit operating organisation or a 32-bit one.

  1. Blazon control panel in the search bar.
  1. Select Control Panel to launch the control panel app.
  2. Search the Control Panel for System.
  1. Select System.
  2. That will display a window showing basic information most your PC.

Again, you'll get the new Near screen in the Settings app as mentioned in a higher place if yous are running the latest version of Windows.

Via Arrangement Information

If you similar, you tin can bypass the Control Panel and go straight to Windows' System Information app by following these steps.

  1. Blazon system in the Windows search bar.
  2. Select the Arrangement Information app to launch it.
  1. In the System Summary panel, y'all'll see both your Windows major version, its specific version, and the build number. You'll also run across the System Type, either 64-bit or 32-bit.

When in Dubiousness, Use the Control Prompt

If you lot prefer using the command prompt, hither'southward how to find out which version of Windows is running on your PC. This method should piece of work no affair which version of Windows you lot're running.

  1. Hold downwards the Windows key and printing R (Win+R) to launch the Run dialogue or type Run into Windows search and select Run.
  2. Type cmd and press Enter or select the OK push button.
  1. Type ver in the command final.
  1. Press Enter
  2. That will brandish the version number of Windows, including the specific version number.

BONUS: For Computers Running Windows viii

If y'all followed one of the methods above and found that your PC is running Windows 8, you can find more than information by following these steps:

  1. Use your mouse to point to the lower-right corner of your brandish.
  2. Move the mouse pointer upwardly to reveal the Settings option.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Select Alter PC Settings.
  5. Select PC and devices and then PC info.
  6. Under the heading Windows, you'll see which edition and version of Windows is installed on the device. Moreover, under the PC heading, information technology will say whether you're running a 32-scrap or 64-bit version of windows.