How Do I Know What Windows My Computer Has?
In the world of computing, it is essential to know all the details about the operating system installed on our computer. In this case, we are referring to Windows, the popular and widely used operating system developed by Microsoft. We often ask ourselves: "How do I know which version of I have Windowson my computer?» or "How can I find out if my Windows operating system has been updated correctly?" In this article, we will explore different ways to get accurate information about the version of Windows that is present on your computer, as well as other essential features for optimal operation. Whether you are a beginner or a more experienced user, this article will provide you with the knowledge you need to complement your Windows experience. So get ready to dive into the technical details and find out how to know for sure what version of Windows your computer has.
1. Introduction to operating system identification in Windows
In Windows, identifying the operating system is a fundamental aspect of understanding and resolving problems related to the operation of the computer. By identifying the operating system, it is possible to determine the version, architecture and other information relevant to the analysis of the problem.
To identify the operating system in Windows, different methods can be used. One of the most common methods is through the Control Panel. To access this option, you must open the start menu, select "Control Panel" and then click on "System and Security." This section displays basic operating system information such as name, version, operating system type, and architecture.
Another way to identify the operating system in Windows is through the command prompt. To do this, you must open the command window by typing "cmd" in the start menu. Once the command window is open, you can use the “systeminfo” command to get detailed information about the operating system, including the exact version, build number and other relevant information.
2. How to check the operating system of your Windows computer
To check the operating system of your Windows computer, there are several options you can use. One of the easiest ways is through the Control Panel. First, click on the Start menu and search for “Control Panel.” Once the Control Panel is open, select the “System and Security” option and then click on “System”. In this window, you will be able to see detailed information about the operating system installed on your computer, such as the version of Windows and whether it is 32 or 64-bit.
Another option is to use the "View" command in the command prompt. To do this, press the "Windows + R" keys to open the Run window and type "cmd." Then, in the command prompt window, type “view” and press Enter. You'll see a line of text showing the operating system version.
If you prefer to use a third-party tool, you can download and install programs like “Speccy” or “CPU-Z”. These tools provide detailed information about your computer's hardware and software, including the installed operating system. Once installed, you will be able to run them and see information specific to the operating system you are using.
3. Identifying the version of Windows on your computer
To identify the version of Windows on your computer, there are different methods you can use. Below we will provide you with some options to help you determine the version of the operating system you are using:
1. Use the “Settings” menu: In the taskbar, click the Home button and select “Settings” (a gear icon). Scroll down and select “System” and then “About.” In that section you will find information related to the version of Windows installed on your computer.
2. Use the “Command Prompt”: Open the “Command Prompt” by typing “cmd” in the Windows search bar and select the program. Once opened, type the following command: ver
. Press the “Enter” key and the Windows version will be displayed in the command prompt window.
3. Use the “Windows Registry”: Open “Registry Editor” by typing “regedit” in the Windows search bar and select the program. Navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersion
. In the "CurrentVersion" folder you will find information about the version of Windows installed on your computer.
4. Steps to know the edition of Windows installed on your computer
Before starting to learn about the edition of Windows installed on your computer, it is important to make sure that you are on the desk Windows and have access to the internet. Below are the steps to follow:
1. Click the Windows Start button located in the lower left corner of the screen.
2. In the drop-down menu, find and click “Settings”.
3. In the Settings window, scroll down and click “System”.
4. From the list of options on the left side, select “About”.
5. In the “Windows Specifications” section, you will find information about the edition and version of Windows installed on your computer.
Now that you've learned how to find out the edition of Windows installed on your computer, you can use this information to resolve specific problems that may require a specific version of Windows.
5. Determining if your Windows operating system is 32 or 64 bit
Most Windows operating systems come in two versions: 32-bit and 64-bit. Determine if your operating system is 32 or 64 bit can be useful when installing programs or drivers, as some are only compatible with a specific version. Here we show you how you can easily check the architecture of your Windows operating system.
Option 1: Verify through the operating system
- On your desktop, right-click the “My Computer” or “This Computer” icon and select “Properties.”
- In the system properties window, look for the “System Type” or “System” section. Here you will see if your operating system is 32 or 64 bits.
Option 2: Verify through Control Panel
- Open the start menu and select “Control Panel”.
- In Control Panel, find and click “System and Security.”
- Next, select “System”.
- In the system properties window, you will find information about the architecture of your operating system.
Remember that if you need to install a specific program or driver, it is important to download the correct version based on the architecture of your operating system. Knowing whether your Windows operating system is 32 or 64 bits will help you avoid compatibility problems and make the most of your PC's resources.
6. Locating operating system architecture information in Windows
To locate operating system architecture information in Windows, there are several options available. Below are some common methods that can help you get the necessary information:
1. Use Control Panel: Open Control Panel and click “System and Security”. Then, select “System” to view detailed information about the operating system. Here you can find details such as the type of operating system, the name of the computer and the amount of RAM.
2. Use the “sysinfo” command: Open the command prompt (CMD) and type “sysinfo” followed by Enter. This will display a wide range of information about the operating system, including details about the processor, operating system version, network settings, and much more.
3. Use third-party tools: There are several third-party tools available that can provide detailed information about the operating system architecture in Windows. These tools are typically more advanced and offer additional features, such as the ability to generate detailed, custom reports. Some of the most popular tools are PC Wizard, Speccy, and SIW (System Information for Windows).
7. Checking the Windows service version on your PC
To check the Windows service version on your PC, follow the next steps:
- Open the Windows start menu by clicking the start button in the lower left corner of the screen.
- In the search box, type "cmd" and click on the "Command Prompt" program that appears in the search results.
- In the command prompt window, type the command
winver
and press Enter. - A window will open with the Windows service version information. In this window, you will be able to see the version number and service level.
You can also check the Windows service version using the control panel. Follow these steps:
- Open the start menu and search for “Control Panel”.
- Click on the “Control Panel” program that appears in the search results.
- In the control panel window, select the “System and Security” option.
- In the new window, click "System."
- Here you can see detailed information about your operating system, including the Windows service version.
Checking the Windows service version is important to ensure you have the latest updates and security patches installed. It is advisable to always keep the operating system updated to ensure optimal operation and protect your PC from possible vulnerabilities.
8. How to know if your computer uses Windows Home or Pro
To determine if your computer is running Windows Home or Pro, follow these steps:
- Open your computer's Start menu by clicking the Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen.
- From the Start menu, find and select “Settings.”
- Within settings, select “System” to access the operating system settings.
- In the left pane of the system settings window, select “About” to view information about your system.
- In the “Windows Specifications” section, look for the line that says “Edition.” There you can see if your computer uses Windows Home or Pro.
If you see the word “Home” in the “Edit” line, that means your computer uses Windows Home. On the other hand, if you see the word “Pro,” that indicates that your computer is running Windows Pro.
Remember that the edition of Windows can influence the features and functions available on your computer. Therefore, it is important to know which version of Windows you are using to ensure you get the most out of the features and tools available in your operating system.
9. Identifying the Windows build number on your system
To identify the Windows build number on your system, there are a number of steps you can follow. First, you need to open the Settings window by clicking on the home icon and selecting the “Settings” option from the drop-down menu. Once the Settings window is open, scroll down and click on the “System” option.
In the System Settings window, select the “About” tab in the left sidebar. Here you will find information about your system, including the Windows build number. Scroll down this page until you find the “Windows Specifications” section. Here you will see the version and build number of Windows that is installed on your system.
Another way to identify the Windows build number is through the command line. Open the start menu and type "cmd" in the search field. Right-click on the “Command Prompt” result and select the “Run as administrator” option. Once the command prompt window opens, type the command “view” and press Enter. The Windows build number will be displayed on the command line along with other system information.
10. Determining if your operating system is original or a copy
If you have ever suspected that your operating system might be an illegal copy, there are several methods you can use to determine its originality. Here we present an approach Step by Step To help you with this task:
- Check the operating system serial number: The first thing you need to do is find the serial number of your operating system. This number is usually found on the box or label of the product. Once you have found it, you can use it to verify its authenticity through online tools.
- Use verification tools: There are various online tools that allow you to check if your operating system is original. Some of these tools scan your system for signs of hacking, while others check the serial number with the database from the operating system manufacturer.
- Search authenticity stamps: Some operating systems come with seals of authenticity, such as holograms or special labels. These seals are typically difficult to forge and can serve as strong proof of the operating system's originality.
Remember that software piracy is illegal and can have serious legal consequences. If you suspect that your operating system is an illegal copy, it is important to take steps to rectify the situation. By following these steps, you will be able to determine whether your operating system is original or a copy, and take appropriate action if necessary.
11. Verifying your Windows license on your computer
If you want to check your Windows license on your computer, you can follow these simple steps to resolve the issue. Remember that having a valid license is essential to ensure the correct functioning of your operating system.
1. Access the Settings menu by clicking the home icon and selecting “Settings”.
- If you are using Windows 11, you can directly access the Settings menu by right-clicking on the Start icon and selecting “Windows Settings.”
2. Once in the Settings window, select the “Update and security” option.
3. In the left panel, click “Activation”. Here you will find information about your Windows license.
- If the message “Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account” appears, it means that your license is successfully verified.
- If the message “Windows is not activated” appears, you will need to verify the license by following the instructions provided on the screen.
12. How to find Windows installation date information
If you need to know the date Windows was installed on your computer, there are several ways to do it. Here we will provide you with some options so you can find this information quickly and easily:
- Using the "systeminfo" command at the command prompt: Open the command prompt by clicking the Start menu and typing “command prompt” in the search box. Once the command prompt window opens, type the command “systeminfo” and press Enter. This will generate a report with numerous details about your system, including the Windows installation date.
- Consulting the Windows Registry: Another way to find the Windows installation date is through from the Windows Registry. Open Registry Editor by typing “regedit” in the Start menu search box. Once Registry Editor is open, navigate to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersion
. In the right panel, look for the entry called "InstallDate." The value of this entry in hexadecimal format represents the Windows installation date. - Using third party applications: You can also find the Windows installation date using third-party applications designed specifically for this purpose. These applications scan your system for detailed information and show you the Windows installation date, along with other relevant data. Some of these apps can be downloaded for free, while others may require a purchase.
These are just some of the most common ways to find the Windows installation date. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose the option that best suits you. Remember that knowing the Windows installation date can be useful in multiple scenarios, such as troubleshooting or tracking changes made to the system.
13. Locating the location of the Windows system file on your PC
Locating the location of the Windows system file on your PC can be useful in several situations, such as when you need solve problems of the operating system or make changes to advanced settings. Below I will present the steps to find the location of this file on your computer:
- Open File Explorer on your PC. You can do this by using the keyboard shortcut “Windows + E” or by clicking the File Explorer icon on the taskbar.
- In the File Explorer address bar, type %windir%system32 and press Enter. This path will take you directly to the System32 folder, where the Windows system files are located.
- Once in the System32 folder, you will be able to find the system file you are looking for. You can use the search function in the upper right corner of the File Explorer window to find the specific file you need.
Remember to be careful when accessing and making changes to system files, as any incorrect modification can seriously affect the operation of your PC. It is always advisable to back up important files before making any modifications.
Knowing the location of the Windows system file on your PC is a useful skill that will allow you to troubleshoot and customize your operating system in more advanced ways. Follow these simple steps to find the location of your system files and keep the above precautions in mind to avoid damage to your PC.
14. Additional Steps to Get Advanced Details of Windows Operating System
Sometimes, it may be necessary to get advanced details of the Windows operating system to troubleshoot specific problems or perform deeper scans. Below are some additional steps that can help you get the information you need:
1. Use the Task Manager: This tool gives you information in real time about running processes, system performance and resource usage. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc and analyze the “Processes”, “Performance” and “Details” tabs to get detailed and specific information.
2. Access the Event Viewer: The Event Viewer is a powerful tool that records and displays information about important events in the system. To open the Event Viewer, press the Win + R keys, type “eventvwr.msc” and press Enter. Browse the different event categories, such as “Application,” “Security,” and “System,” to find additional messages and details related to the issue you are facing.
3. Use Windows commands: The Windows operating system offers a wide range of commands that you can use to get advanced details. For example, the "systeminfo" command displays general system information, including Windows version, installation date, available physical memory, and more. Another useful command is “sfc /scannow”, which checks and repairs corrupted system files. Run these commands from the command line (CMD) and find the right information and solutions for the problem at hand.
Remember that these additional steps are just some tools and techniques that you can use to get advanced details of the Windows operating system. Feel free to explore other options and resources available for troubleshooting and further analysis.
In short, being aware of the version of Windows installed on your computer is important to ensure software compatibility, identify problems, and perform appropriate updates. Throughout this article, we have explored different methods to determine which version of Windows is present on your computer.
From checking information in System Settings to using commands in the Command Prompt and finding details on the system properties page, these technical solutions will help you get the precise information you need about your operating system.
Remember that in the world of technology, being aware of the version of Windows on your computer will help you keep it in optimal condition and take full advantage of the latest updates and features offered by Microsoft.
We hope this technical guide has been useful and clarifies any questions you had about how to know what version of Windows your computer has. It is always advisable to be aware of the technical aspects of your operating system for a better performance and greater security. Stay up to date and continue exploring the many options that Windows has to offer you.