How to Check Your Windows Version in 2023: A Complete Guide

How to Check What Windows Version You Have in 2023 and Beyond

Windows is one of the most popular operating systems in the world, powering millions of devices from desktops to laptops, tablets, and smartphones. However, not all Windows devices are running the same version of the OS. Knowing what Windows version you have can help you troubleshoot issues, update your system, install compatible software, and optimize your performance.

In this blog post, we’ll show you how to check what Windows version you have in 2023 and beyond, using different methods and tools. We’ll also explain why it’s important to keep your Windows up to date, and what are the benefits of upgrading to the latest version. Whether you’re using Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7, we’ve got you covered.

Why You Should Know What Windows Version You Have

There are many reasons why you should know what Windows version you have on your device. Here are some of the most common ones:

Security: Keeping your Windows updated is essential for protecting your device from malware, viruses, hackers, and other threats. Updates also fix bugs and vulnerabilities that could compromise your system or data. Knowing what Windows version you have can help you check if you have the latest security patches and features installed.

Compatibility: Different Windows versions have different requirements and features that affect how well they work with other software and hardware. Knowing what Windows version you have can help you choose the right programs and drivers for your device, and avoid compatibility issues or errors.

Performance: Newer Windows versions usually offer better performance, speed, stability, and efficiency than older ones. They also introduce new functionalities and improvements that can enhance your user experience and productivity. Knowing what Windows version you have can help you decide if you want to upgrade to a newer version or stick with your current one.

Support: Microsoft provides support and updates for its Windows versions for a limited period. After that, they become obsolete and unsupported, meaning they no longer receive security patches or technical assistance. Knowing what Windows version you have can help you determine if your device is still supported by Microsoft or not, and what are your options if it’s not.

How to Check What Windows Version You Have

There are several ways to check what Windows version you have on your device. Depending on your preference and convenience, you can use one of the following methods:

Method 1: Use the Winver Command

One of the easiest and quickest ways to check what Windows version you have is by using the winver command. This command opens a window that displays information about your operating system, such as its name, edition, version, build number, and installation date.

To use the winver command, follow these steps:

Press the Windows logo key and the R key at the same time. This opens the Run dialog box on your screen.

Type winver in the Open box and press Enter or click OK. This opens the About Windows window on your screen.

Check the information displayed on the window. You’ll see the name of your operating system (e.g., Windows 11), its edition (e.g., Home), its version (e.g., 21H2), its build number (e.g., 22000.348), and its installation date (e.g., 11/23/2023).

Here’s an example of how the About Windows window looks like on a device running Windows 11:

!About Windows window

Method 2: Use the Settings App

Another way to check what Windows version you have is by using the Settings app. This app allows you to access and customize various settings on your device, including those related to your system and updates.

To use the Settings app, follow these steps:

Click the Start button on your taskbar, or press the Windows logo key on your keyboard. This opens the Start menu on your screen.
Click the gear icon on the left side of the Start menu, or press the I key on your keyboard. This opens the Settings app on your screen.
Click System on the left pane of the Settings app. This opens the System settings on your screen.

Scroll down and click About on the left pane of the System settings. This opens the About settings on your screen.

Check the information displayed on the right pane of the About settings. You’ll see information about your device specifications (e.g., processor, memory, system type) and your Windows specifications (e.g., edition, version, OS build, experience pack).

Here’s an example of how the About settings look like on a device running Windows 10:

!About settings

Method 3: Use the Control Panel

A third way to check what Windows version you have is by using the Control Panel. This is a classic tool that lets you view and change various settings on your device, including those related to your system and security.

To use the Control Panel, follow these steps:

Press the Windows logo key and the R key at the same time. This opens the Run dialog box on your screen.
Type the control panel in the Open box, and press Enter or click OK. This opens the Control Panel on your screen.
Click System and Security on the Control Panel. This opens the System and Security settings on your screen.

Click System on the System and Security settings. This opens the System information on your screen.

Check the information displayed on the System information. You’ll see information about your device name, processor, memory, system type, pen and touch support, computer name, domain, and workgroup settings. You’ll also see information about your Windows edition (e.g., Windows 10 Pro), version (e.g., 20H2), OS build (e.g., 19042.1348), experience pack (e.g., 120.2212.3920.0), activation status, and product ID.

Here’s an example of how the System information looks like on a device running Windows 10:

!System information

Method 4: Use a Third-Party Tool

A fourth way to check what Windows version you have is by using a third-party tool. There are many tools available online that can help you find out more details about your operating system, such as its name, edition, version, build number, service pack, product key, license type, installation date, language, architecture, and more.

Some of the most popular tools for checking your Windows version are:

Speccy: A free tool that shows you detailed information about your hardware and software, including your operating system, CPU, RAM, motherboard, graphics, storage, optical drives, audio, peripherals, network, and more.

Belarc Advisor: A free tool that builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware, including your operating system, security benchmarks, missing Microsoft hotfixes, antivirus status, CIS (Center for Internet Security) benchmarks, and more.

WinAudit: A free tool that performs a detailed audit of your computer’s software and hardware configuration. It shows you information about your operating system, installed software and licenses, security policies and settings, user accounts and groups, network shares and printers, startup programs and services, hardware devices and drivers, BIOS settings and CMOS values, and more.

To use any of these tools, you need to download them from their official websites and run them on your device. They will scan your system and generate a report that you can view on your screen or save as a file.

Here’s an example of how the operating system information looks like on Speccy:

!Speccy

How to Update or Upgrade Your Windows Version

Now that you know how to check what Windows version you have on your device, you might be wondering how to update or upgrade it to a newer version. Updating or upgrading your Windows version can help you enjoy better security, performance, features, and support from Microsoft.

Updating your Windows version means installing the latest patches and fixes for your current version of Windows. For example, if you’re running Windows 10 version 20H2 (released in October 2020), you can update it to Windows 10 version 21H1 (released in May 2021) or Windows 10 version 21H2 (released in November 2021).

Upgrading your Windows version means switching to a different edition or generation of Windows. For example, if you’re running Windows 10 Home edition (which has fewer features than other editions), you can upgrade it to Windows 10 Pro edition (which has more features than Home edition). Or if you’re running Windows 10 (which is the previous generation of Windows), you can upgrade it to Windows 11 (which is the latest generation of Windows).

To update or upgrade your Windows version, follow these steps:

Click the Start button on your taskbar
Click the gear icon on the left side of the Start menu
Click Update & Security on the Settings app
Click Windows Update

Conclusion:

In this blog post, we’ve shown you how to check what Windows version you have in 2023 and beyond, using four different methods: the winver command, the Settings app, the Control Panel, and a third-party tool. We’ve also explained why it’s important to know what Windows version you have, and how it can affect your security, compatibility, performance, and support.

Knowing what Windows version you have can help you keep your device up to date, install compatible software and hardware, troubleshoot issues, and optimize your user experience. Updating or upgrading your Windows version can also help you enjoy better security, performance, features, and support from Microsoft.

We hope you found this blog post helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!

sources

Why You Should Keep Your Windows Up to Date

Microsoft Security blog post: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework: https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework

Compatibility Issues Between Windows Versions and Other Software and Hardware

Microsoft Windows Compatibility Center: https://www.nuget.org/packages/Microsoft.Windows.Compatibility

Adobe Creative Cloud compatibility with Windows versions: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/Windows_10_compatibility_FAQ.html

Performance Improvements Between Windows Versions

PCWorld benchmark comparison of Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8.1: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PTiVAsLKnD4

TechSpot review of Windows 11 performance: https://www.techspot.com/article/2278-windows-11-benchmark/

Support for Windows Versions Microsoft Windows lifecycle fact sheet: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/faq/windows

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