If you need to quickly find out what version of Windows you have, there a handful of different ways you can do so. However, we believe that getting into the Windows System Information app is the best option.
The System Information app will not only tell you what version of Windows you have, but it will also tell you whether you have the Home or the Pro edition, and what OS build you have. And, it will tell you what your PC specs are as well.
How to Quickly Tell What Version of Windows You Have
1) If you have a Windows logo on the bottom left-hand corner of your screen (the start menu) and a search bar next to it, you probably have Windows 10. You can verify this by typing ‘system’ into the search bar and hitting enter, or by pressing ‘Windows logo key + R’ (opens the Run box) and typing in ‘msinfo32’ and hitting enter. This will open the System Information app and that will tell you what version of Windows you have, as well as what OS build you have installed.
2) If you have a Windows logo without a search bar on the bottom left-hand corner of your screen (the start menu), then you probably have Windows 8.1, Windows 7, or Windows Vista. You can verify this by clicking on the Windows logo and typing in ‘system’ in the search bar that pops up and hitting enter, or by pressing ‘Windows logo key + R’ (opens the Run box) and typing in ‘msinfo32’ and hitting enter. Again, this will open the System Information app that will tell you what version of Windows you have as well as what build you are on.
3) If there is NO Windows logo on the bottom left-hand corner of your screen, you probably have Windows 8. You can verify this by pressing ‘Windows logo key + R’ to open the Run box, and then typing in ‘msinfo32’ and hitting enter. This will also open the System Information app.
Another Way to Find What Version of Windows You Have
Another quick and easy way to find out what version of Windows you have is to hit the ‘Windows logo key + the PAUSE button.’
This will open the System panel in the Control Panel. This screen won’t give you the OS build you’re running and other important information, but it will let you know what version of Windows you have and what edition, too.
