{"id":8032,"date":"2025-07-02T16:16:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T16:16:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/?p=8032"},"modified":"2025-07-02T16:16:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T16:16:19","slug":"how-to-check-windows-version","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/how-to-check-windows-version\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Knowing Your Windows Version Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ever asked yourself, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;What version of Windows do I have?&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You\u2019re not alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&#8217;re a cybersecurity expert, an IT manager responsible for fleet management, or a CEO worried about compliance and software compatibility\u2014knowing the exact version of Windows you\u2019re using is critical. From managing system updates to ensuring security patches are installed, the Windows version dictates what your system can (or cannot) support.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this guide, we\u2019ll walk you through <\/span><b>how to check Windows version<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> using multiple methods\u2014GUI, command line, and advanced tools\u2014catering to different versions like Windows 10 and 11.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Check Windows Version: 5 Proven Methods<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>1. Using System Settings (Windows 10\/11)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the simplest way to check the Windows version using the built-in Settings app:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Steps:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click <\/span><b>Start<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and select <\/span><b>Settings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (or press <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Windows + I<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go to <\/span><b>System &gt; About<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scroll to <\/span><b>Windows Specifications<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ll see details like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Edition<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: e.g., Windows 10 Pro<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Version<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: e.g., 22H2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>OS Build<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: e.g., 19045.3324<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 This method is ideal for users with GUI access who need to verify the exact build.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Using the \u201cwinver\u201d Command<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re a fan of quick keyboard shortcuts:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Steps:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Press <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Windows + R<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to open the <\/span><b>Run<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dialog.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">winver<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and hit <\/span><b>Enter<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A window will pop up showing your version and build number.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83d\udca1 Great for quick checks without diving into system settings.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Check Windows Version Command via Command Prompt<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you prefer using the <\/span><b>command line<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Steps:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open <\/span><b>Command Prompt<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (type <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cmd<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the search bar and run as Administrator).<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CopyEdit<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">systeminfo | findstr \/B \/C:&#8221;OS Name&#8221; \/C:&#8221;OS Version&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This returns:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OS Name (e.g., Microsoft Windows 11 Pro)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OS Version (with build number)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83d\udee1\ufe0f Useful for scripting and remote diagnostics by cybersecurity teams.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Using PowerShell for Detailed Reports<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>PowerShell<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provides even more insights:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">powershell<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CopyEdit<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get-ComputerInfo | Select OsName, OsArchitecture, WindowsVersion, WindowsBuildLabEx<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This command gives detailed info including system architecture and extended build data\u2014ideal for large-scale enterprise audits.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Finding Windows Version Through System Info GUI<\/b><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open <\/span><b>Run<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Windows + R<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">msinfo32<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and press Enter<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This opens <\/span><b>System Information<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where you\u2019ll find:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OS Name<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Version<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">System Type (32-bit or 64-bit)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83e\udde0 Ideal for executives needing a complete overview without using CLI.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why It Matters: Security, Compatibility, and Control<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cybersecurity Risk Mitigation<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Knowing your Windows version ensures you\u2019re not using outdated OS builds vulnerable to exploits.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Software Compatibility<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Certain software requires specific versions of Windows (e.g., Hyper-V only on Windows 10 Pro and above).<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Remote Management for MSPs<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> For Managed Service Providers (MSPs), remote checks of Windows versions allow proactive patching and updates.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Version Comparison Table: Windows 10 vs. 11<\/b><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Windows 10<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Windows 11<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Latest Stable Version<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">22H2<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">23H2<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">System Requirements<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lower<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TPM 2.0, Secure Boot required<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Default UI<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Classic<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modern, rounded corners<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Security Features<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basic<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhanced (Pluton, VBS)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For cybersecurity-conscious enterprises, <\/span><b>Windows 11<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers better built-in protections.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Pro Tips for IT Managers and Cybersecurity Teams<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Automate with Scripts:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Use PowerShell to retrieve OS versions across all endpoints.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Patch Management:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ensure compatibility before rolling out critical updates.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Audit Compliance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Maintain logs of OS versions for SOC 2\/ISO 27001 audits.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>FAQs on How to Check Windows Version<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Q1: <\/b><b><i>How do I check if I have Windows 10 or 11?<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">winver<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or go to Settings &gt; System &gt; About. Look for the \u201cEdition\u201d and \u201cVersion\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Q2: <\/b><b><i>What\u2019s the difference between OS version and build number?<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Version<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the major update (e.g., 22H2).<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Build<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the internal OS update number (e.g., 19045).<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Q3: <\/b><b><i>Can I check Windows version remotely?<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, using PowerShell Remoting or system inventory tools like WMI, SCCM, or third-party RMMs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Q4: <\/b><b><i>Is there a way to export OS version info?<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. In PowerShell:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">powershell<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CopyEdit<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get-ComputerInfo | Export-Csv -Path &#8220;C:\\osinfo.csv&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Q5: <\/b><b><i>Why do Windows updates sometimes change my version?<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feature updates (e.g., from 21H1 to 22H2) introduce major changes and increment the OS version.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Final Thoughts: Stay Ahead with the Right Windows Version<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowing <\/span><b>how to check Windows version<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> isn\u2019t just a technical chore\u2014it\u2019s a security and compliance necessity. With cyber threats escalating and regulatory requirements tightening, businesses can\u2019t afford to overlook OS versioning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to simplify IT asset visibility and endpoint control?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \ud83d\udc49<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/signup\/\"> <b>Get started with Itarian\u2019s FREE IT Management Suite<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014streamline OS version checks, patch deployment, and compliance audits from a single dashboard.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ever asked yourself, &#8220;What version of Windows do I have?&#8221; You\u2019re not alone. Whether you&#8217;re a cybersecurity expert, an IT manager responsible for fleet management, or a CEO worried about compliance and software compatibility\u2014knowing the exact version of Windows you\u2019re using is critical. From managing system updates to ensuring security patches are installed, the Windows&hellip; <span class=\"readmore\"><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":8042,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8032","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ticketing-system","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8032","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8032"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8032\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8052,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8032\/revisions\/8052"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8042"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8032"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}