First, let's figure out what exactly we are going to find out. With the version, everything is a no brainer: it is denoted by the number present in the system name (relevant for Windows 10, as well as 8 / 8.1 and 7) or letter designation(XP or, for example, Vista).
This also works for server systems from Microsoft - for example, Windows Server 2012, and, of course, for other "old-school" operating systems of the line: Windows 95/98 / ME (Millennium) and so on. Version also means digital code installed assembly.
Type of operating system, also known as edition, specifies the edition of Windows. Yes, yes, these are the same postscripts indicated after the system number: Home (Home), Pro (Professional) and so on. For example, in Windows 7, the Starter edition was a "stripped down" inferior distribution with a lot of restrictions and was intended mainly for home use on not the most powerful computers and laptops. While Ultimate (Maximum) endowed the PC with enhanced security and provided more features- for example, the ability to join a corporate network or even deploy a server. But we all mostly played solitaire and played Counter-Strike! ..
In a sense, the build number (English build) or, as it was called in Russian localization - system building, determines the numerical identification of the program code used in the current version of the operating system. As a rule, it is not necessary for an ordinary user to know it at all. A "build" may be of interest to some developer who is testing his, say, game on a specific assembly system.
Architecture (bit depth, bit version of Windows) is a set of commands for the interaction of the operating system with the central processor of an information device (laptop, tablet or computer, for example).
Microsoft operating systems support the following processor architectures:
- ARM - currently used in the CPU of mobile devices;
- x86 (also known as x32) - used in the early processors of the industry giant Intel;
- x86-64 (another name is AMD64) - developed by AMD, is an extension for x86 and is used in almost all modern processors;
- IA-64 is a joint development of HP and Intel, which was conceived as a 64-bit analogue of x86 for home computers and laptops, but after the release of x86-64 it did not find application (now it is used mainly in servers).
As mentioned above, most modern CPUs are based on the x86-64 architecture, which allows the user to install both 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit versions of the system on the computer. At the same time, the so-called Windows 64 will have important advantage before Windows 32 - support for more RAM and physical memory and, as a result, higher performance and the ability to handle large amounts of data. In other words - 16 GB random access memory, installed in the computer, in a 32-bit system will be defined as 4, you will receive no more than 3.5 “on hand”. So it goes.
How to find out the version of Windows? See what's written on installation disk your OS.
If this is not possible, read the article further.
Find out the installed version and bitness of Windows through "Computer Properties"
The easiest way to find out which version of Windows is installed on your computer is to open its properties and look. To do this, open "Explorer", find "This PC" (or "My Computer" if you are using a system earlier than Windows 10), right-click on the icon and select "Properties" at the very bottom of the drop-down list. In the window that appears, you can see the version, release (type) and bit depth of the system.
The method is preferred by most users. The only drawback is that there is no data on the assembly of the system.
How to determine the version and other OS parameters using the winver utility
The winver utility is used to collect and provide the user with information about a running system. To initialize, use the command execution window (go to "Start" - "Run" or press the combination of Win and R keys), in which enter the winver command as shown in the figure and click "OK".
The Win key is usually located in the bottom left corner of the keyboard!
The opened interface will contain detailed information about the system. Except for bit depth!
msinfo - all information about the system
Another way is to use the good old msinfo32 utility. In the "Run" window, enter msinfo32 , execute and admire the exhaustive result.
How to determine the version by key
It is very easy to find out the version of Windows by the product activation key using the official Volume Activation Management Tool 2.0 from Microsoft. Simply enter your productkey in the appropriate field and click the "Verify" button.
You can use the same method to find out from which version windows key lying around in your desktop drawer.
But what if the computer won't start?
This method is relevant for operating systems released before XP (including the latest one), and allows you to determine the Windows version from files, or rather, the prodspec.ini file located at C:\Windows\System32 .
The method will help people whose old computer does not boot, but it is necessary to find out which system is installed (for example, to restore the system itself or files). To do this, you need to download some RescueDisk or BootCD, then open the above file and find the line with the text - the data next to it indicates the installed Windows distribution.
other methods
But if suddenly, for some reason, the above methods for determining the version of Windows on a laptop or computer did not suit you ...
Check OS version via Windows CMD
Command line - best friend both amateur novice and bearded system administrator. Find out the version of Windows from command line simple: and enter the systeminfo command, which will almost instantly collect and provide you with detailed information about the system.
You can also use the systeminfo command in PowerShell.
Determine Windows version using the registry
The Windows registry also contains information about the installed OS. To access it, enter the regedit command in the same "Run". Next, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion and find the information you need.
How to programmatically determine the version of Windows
There are a large number of programs from third-party developers, the functionality of which allows you to determine installed system and collect information about it - for example, AIDA64. However, all such programs only use the built-in features of the OS, which we wrote about above, so the expediency of using them for these purposes remains doubtful.
How to find out the version of Windows recorded on a disk or flash drive
To find out the version of Windows on the installation disk or bootable flash drive, open the media through the "Explorer", find the setup.exe file, right-click on it and select "Properties" in the context menu. In the file properties window that appears, go to the "Details" tab and pay attention to the "Product version" column.
How to find out the version of Windows Phone
The mobile version of the operating system from Microsoft, although not found so wide application, as its desktop counterpart, but it still raised a number of questions.
So, if you want to find out which version of Windows Phone is installed on your gadget, follow these steps:
- Open the Start menu and swipe left to select Apps.
- Then "Settings", "About the device", "Details".
Here (column "Software") you will see the name of the installed operating system (for example, Windows Phone 8). Additionally, you can find out the build version in the "OS version" column.
Almost every PC user can distinguish between operating Windows systems from each other by outward signs, unless, of course, visual modifications are installed. However, it is unrealistic even for professionals to determine a specific version, assembly, bit depth or update without obtaining information from a computer. AT this case everyone uses system information or third-party programs. Let's consider in detail how to find out the version of Windows on a PC or laptop.
Properties / About window
Examination installed version The Windows operating system starts with the simplest and fastest operations. Pay attention to the desktop of your PC. If you use the "This Computer" shortcut in the case of "Windows 10" (for XP, 7 and 8 - "My Computer"), then you need to do this:
- Right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties" from the menu.
- A window will appear on the screen that contains information about the installed OS. Here you need to pay attention to the marked lines:
Windows Edition (1) refers to the general name of the OS version. In the "System" subsection, you can see the parameters of the central processor, RAM and bit depth (32 or 64-bit) - the latter also applies to the properties of the OS (2). Below is the activation information. If you see the same inscription as in the screenshot (3), it means that the system has already been activated before.
When installing the operating system, the user chooses between x64 and x86 versions. The software properties themselves specify either x32 or x64. Beginners should know that 32 and 86 bit versions are the same.
The same window can be opened without a shortcut on the desktop:
- First, open the Control Panel. For example, through the search bar.
- In the "Small Icons" view, open the "System" section.
- Again we see the same window in which the data about Windows is indicated:
However, in the presented method, more detailed information is not written - the build version (OS assembly) and the installation date on HDD. You can get this information about your "computer" like this:
- To see which build of Windows is installed, right-click on the Start menu icon. Select "Settings" from the menu.
- We go to the "System".
- Scroll down the left column and find the "About" tab.
- In the subsection "Device characteristics" are: bit depth, product number, computer name, processor model, amount of RAM.
- In the "Windows Specifications" item - OS release, update version, build and date of installation. Also from this window, you can go to the properties of the computer using the marked button.
The option with the "Parameters" window is only suitable for Windows 8 and 10. The first method is relevant for all operating systems, starting with Windows XP SP1.
Executable commands
You can check the version of Windows on a PC or laptop without “traveling” through the OS menu. To do this, you need to use the functionality of the "Run" application:
- We use the combination Win + R. Enter the [k]msinfo32 command in the field and start execution.
- The System Information window appears on the screen, where you can find even more information on the main tab. You can see the data type in the "Elements" column in the screenshot:
- Also, with the help of this utility, you can learn more about hardware, components, programs.
Now another application that is launched through "Run":
- We also open the window with the Win + R combination and enter [k] winver.
- An information window opens in which you can view the version and build of the installed Windows.
The final command for the Run application is described below:
- We enter the command [k] cmd / k systeminfo and start its execution.
- On the screen, you will see a command line that will automatically collect the necessary information in a table.
- In addition to describing the operating system, here you can find out the BIOS version, the size of the paging file on your PC, the number of network adapters and the "id" of the Internet connection.
The Run application also allows you to quickly open the System Information section, which is described in the previous section of the instructions. This will require the [k]ms-settings: about command.
The described methods are used by both 32 and 64-bit operating systems from Microsoft.
Now let's focus on those methods that allow you to install the exact version and assembly of Windows through the command line. To do this, we do the following:
- We start the command line. You can do this through the search.
- In the window, enter [k] wmic os get and press the Enter key.
- After a second, a list of basic system information will appear on the screen. They are marked in the screenshot below:
Through the command line, you can also enter [k] systeminfo, [k] msinfo32, [k] winver.
Defining "Windows" through the registry
Now let's focus on the option using the system registry editor. Read more about it below:
- Launch the Run application and type [k]regedit.
Third Party Programs
There are a number of utilities that self-assemble full information about the computer. Starting from the versions of installed Windows and ending with driver diagnostics - all this can be offered, for example, by AIDA 64. You can download and install it on your PC using the link from the official website. After installation, launch the application and open the marked tab:
You can choose another program for this task. For example, EVEREST, PC Wizard and the like.
Windows version on a new laptop
Laptop manufacturers Lenovo, Asus, HP, Acer and others install licensed versions OS on your devices. If you have not reinstalled Windows from third-party media, then all relevant information will be on the computer case. The netbook/laptop has a special sticker that indicates the full name, bit depth and serial key. You will need the latter if you reinstall the software.
If a pirated version is already installed on the computer, then this way does not fit.
Video instruction
Having difficulty checking the OS on your computer or laptop? Watch this video to fully understand the issue.
Conclusion
The presence of comprehensive knowledge about the installed operating system is necessary for the user. With their help, it is determined by how many gigabytes it is possible to expand the amount of RAM (system capacity), whether an update is required, activation by serial key. The problem of OS compatibility with many applications also disappears - the user selects suitable programs and games according to requirements.
We told you about all existing options collection of data about Windows, and you can choose the best one yourself! Share your experience or ask for tips in the comments!
How to see which Windows is installed on a computer
5 (100%) 2 VotesThis, at first glance, an idle and completely simple question, is not at all as simple as it might seem at first glance. The current generation probably keeps track of the famous "piggy" and remembers little about such creations of the software giant as Windows 3.0, Windows 3.11, Windows 95 and even Windows 98.
Meanwhile, in nature, there are both the second and the first versions of this operating system. Of course, they all look more like interactive shells than full-fledged operating systems, but this short list is not limited to everything. Who, for example, knows: what is Windows "Chicago"? Having rummaged on the sites of computer archivists (like the old-dos.ru site and the like) - you can learn a lot of new things for yourself. Therefore, it can be very useful to find out which Windows is on your computer.
Why do you need to find out what Windows is on the computer? First, for the sake of satisfying curiosity. Secondly, different versions the same operating system can be very different in their capabilities. Thirdly, for practical reasons: programs are usually designed for OS versions not lower than a certain one, and they refuse to run on other systems.
If you encounter such an unpleasant situation and want to fix it, then information about the version installed on the system computer will come in handy. They will be needed when looking for a solution to a problem on the Internet.
Where is the OS number stored?
How specifically to find out which axis is on a desktop computer or laptop? It's not hard to find out. For this you need:
- Go to the start menu.
- Open the "Computer Properties" window. In XP, for this purpose, you will need to right-click on the menu item "My Computer". In later systems, the Properties menu item is available directly.
- The version number of the system installed on the computer will be visible directly in the properties window. It is impossible not to recognize it, although the windows in different operating systems will look different.
An alternative to this approach is to enter the winver instruction in the command line window - the window "About Windows program» from all over necessary information. The same instruction can be entered in the "Run" window, directly accessible from under the "Start" button.
The listed ways to find out what kind of OS is on your hardware are the simplest and most obvious.
Many users ask themselves the question: "How to find out which Windows is on the computer?" You need to know if you are running a 32-bit or 64-bit flavor of Windows for many reasons. Most importantly, knowing this, you will be sure that you can set the desired type software and drivers designed to work with the operating system.
What is it for?
For example, if you're running Windows XP 32-bit and want a device, you'll need to install the 32-bit hardware-specific drivers. 64-bit drivers will not work in 32-bit Windows XP and vice versa.
Luckily, it's really easy to figure out what flavor your copy of Windows XP is.
How to do it
Click on "Start" and select "Control Panel" from the menu. Click on the "Performance and Maintenance" link. Note: If you are viewing the Classic View of Control Panel, you will not see this link. Just double click on the "System" icon and go to step 4.
How to find out which "Windows" is on the computer if the XP version is loaded? In the Performance and Maintenance window, click on the System. When the System Properties window opens, locate the System area to the right of the Windows logo.
Note: You must be on the "General" tab in the "shell" properties.
In the "System" section, you will see basic information about the version of the OS installed on the computer:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional version [year] means that you are running Windows XP 32-bit.
Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition version [year] means you are running the 64-bit version.
Important: There are no 64-bit flavors of XP Home or XP Media Center Edition. If you have any of these editions of XP, then you are running a 32-bit operating system. This will help you decide how to find out which "Windows" is on your computer.
Now that you've figured out which flavor of Windows XP you're running, you can have peace of mind choosing the right drivers and software for your device.
How to accomplish this in Windows 7?
How to find out which "Windows" is installed in the seventh version? Click on "Start" and find "Control Panel" in the menu. Click on "System" and select the "Security" link. Click on the link System.
When the system window opens, under its name you will be able to see basic information about your computer below the Windows logo. Under the System section, look for the System Type tab among other statistics about your computer. The system type will tell you whether the computer is running a 32-bit or 64-bit OS.
Important: There is no 64-bit version of Windows 7 Starter Edition.
How to find out which "Windows" is in version 8?
There are two main editions of Windows 8 - the standard OS and the Pro version. Each of them can be in either 64-bit or 32-bit format. As with previous releases of the shell, knowing what type is being used on a computer is very important in the first place in order to correctly install drivers and software.
Open the "Control Panel" in Windows 8.
Tip: You can check your Windows 8 system type much faster from the Power User menu, but this is only available if you're using a keyboard or mouse.
Touch on touch screen or use the cursor to click on "System and Security" in the control panel, then select the "System" tab. After that, you should open the menu item called "View basic information about your computer" and find the System tab, located under the large Windows 8 logo. The system type will indicate which system is installed on your device. This is the answer to the question "how to find out which Windows is on the computer." As you can see, this process is quite simple, and its execution is similar in all versions of the operating system.
Remember that you should not install applications designed for a 64-bit shell on a computer with a 32-bit OS installed. Otherwise, you can cause serious problems with the device, which can lead to the loss of many saved data and even the need to reinstall Windows.
We simply and quickly figure out what version of the Windows operating system I have. 32 or 64 bits, which processor and how much memory
Hello. In this article, we will analyze how to quickly and easily find out what operating system (OS) you have, plus some other information along the way. Quite often, many users are faced with this issue. Usually in these situations:
- To install programs, games, drivers that require a specific OS version
- For other various services and services on the Internet
It's easy to find out. There are two ways to find out information about the operating system you have installed:
- Using winver command (windows version)
- In my computer properties
Let's start with the winver command. To use it, you need to launch the "run" system menu. This is done simply. By pressing the key combination win and at the same time r:
in the menu that appears, enter the winver command and press enter:
will appear in front of you short information according to the OS you have installed:
If these data are enough for you, then your issue is resolved. If interested in more detailed information, for example, how many bits are 32 or 64, etc., which processor or how much RAM, then we look at the next method.
We need to look in the properties of my computer. To do this, move the mouse cursor over the icon of my computer on the desktop or in the start menu and press the right mouse button. In the quick menu that opens, you need to select "properties" at the very bottom:
We will see more detailed data on the operating system. Here, starting from the very top, we can see:
- Operating system version and edition - Windows 7 Ultimate
- Manufacturing firm
- Service pack 1, that is, the version of the official update (which, however, may not be)
- Below we can observe the model
- The performance evaluation that the system itself produces, depending on the installed parts and components in the computer
- The processor model and its clock frequency, which is very useful to know for running games and complex programs on a PC
- The amount of RAM, which is also superfluous will not know
- The type of system is also very important parameter, since it is he who often affects whether a game or program is installed on this OS or not. It is best to always install a 64-bit (bit) system, it does not impose any restrictions on any applications you install, unlike 32-bit
- Well, then less important information by workgroup, activation, etc.
As you can see, knowing 2 simple ways to check information about the system, you can significantly improve your knowledge not only in computer topics, but always be ready, knowing which programs or games you have installed and which not.
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