How to See What Version of Windows?
As a user, it can be frustrating when you try to figure out what version of Windows you’re running on. One question that often comes up is, "How do I see what version of Windows I’m running on?". In this article, we’ll explore the easiest way to determine the version of Windows you’re using, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
Understanding the Different Windows Versions
Before we dive into how to see the version of Windows, it’s essential to understand the different versions that are available. Here are some of the most common versions:
| Windows Version | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 | October 2020 | Operating System |
| Windows 11 | July 2021 | Operating System |
| Windows 8.1 | October 2013 | Operating System |
| Windows 8 | October 2012 | Operating System |
| Windows 7 | October 2009 | Operating System |
| Windows Vista | June 2007 | Operating System |
| Windows 2000 | January 2000 | Operating System |
Method 1: Check the Taskbar
One of the easiest ways to see the version of Windows is to check the Taskbar. To do this:
- Windows 10: Click on the Start button (the Windows logo) in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Windows 11: Click on the Start button (the Windows logo) in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Windows 8: Right-click on the Start button (the Windows logo) in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Windows 8.1: Right-click on the Start button (the Windows logo) in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Windows 7: Right-click on the Start button (the Windows logo) in the bottom left corner of the screen.
What You’ll See
When you click on the Start button, you’ll see a menu with several options. One of these options is About.
Method 2: Use the Command Prompt
If you’re running Windows 10 or later, you can use the Command Prompt to check the version of Windows. To do this:
- Windows 10: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Windows 11: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Windows 8: Press the Windows key + X and select Command Prompt.
- Windows 8.1: Press the Windows key + X and select Command Prompt.
- Windows 7: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
What You’ll See
When you run the Command Prompt, you’ll see a message that says "OS version 10.0.19042.1052". This is the version of Windows you’re running.
Method 3: Check the System Properties
Another way to check the version of Windows is to check the System Properties.
- Windows 10: Click on the Start button (the Windows logo) in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Windows 11: Click on the Start button (the Windows logo) in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Windows 8: Right-click on the Start button (the Windows logo) in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Windows 8.1: Right-click on the Start button (the Windows logo) in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Windows 7: Right-click on the Start button (the Windows logo) in the bottom left corner of the screen.
What You’ll See
When you click on the System Properties, you’ll see a window with several tabs, including System Information. One of these tabs is System Information.
What You’ll See in the System Information Tab
- OS Version: This is the version of Windows you’re running.
- Build Number: This is the build number of the operating system.
- Service Pack: This is the service pack version of the operating system.
Method 4: Check the Task Manager
Finally, you can check the Task Manager to see the version of Windows.
- Windows 10: Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
- Windows 11: Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
- Windows 8: Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
- Windows 8.1: Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
- Windows 7: Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
What You’ll See
When you open the Task Manager, you’ll see several tabs, including Performance. One of these tabs is System Details.
What You’ll See in the System Details Tab
- OS Version: This is the version of Windows you’re running.
- System Architecture: This is the architecture of the operating system (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Processor Architecture: This is the architecture of the processor (x86, x64, etc.).
Conclusion
Determining the version of Windows can be a straightforward process, and we’ve covered several methods to do so. Whether you’re running Windows 10 or later, or an older version, we hope this article has been helpful. By following these steps, you should be able to see what version of Windows you’re running, and make it easier to keep your operating system up to date.