Five simple ways to find your Windows edition, version and build number, and what each part means.
Quick answer: To see what version of Windows you have, press Windows + R, type winver and press Enter. A small window shows your Windows version, such as Windows 11 version 24H2, and the OS build number. For more detail, including your edition (Home or Pro) and whether it is 64-bit, open Settings > System > About on Windows 11.
You often need to know your exact Windows version when installing software, following a support guide, checking whether you can upgrade, or talking to IT support.
Windows shows this information in several places. This guide explains five quick methods, and what terms such as edition, version and build actually mean.
Most of these methods take less than a minute and work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, so you can use whichever one you find easiest. We also explain how to match build numbers to versions and how to update once you know where you stand.
In this article
- What do edition, version and build mean?
- How do you check your Windows version?
- Which Windows 11 versions match which builds?
- Why does your Windows version matter?
- How can you check the version if Windows will not start?
- How do you check many PCs at once?
- How do you update to the latest version?
- What if you are not sure it is Windows?
- Frequently asked questions
- Final thoughts
What do edition, version and build mean?
| Term | Example | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Windows release | Windows 11 or Windows 10 | The main product generation |
| Edition | Home, Pro, Enterprise | Which feature set you have |
| Version | 24H2, 25H2 | The yearly feature update installed |
| OS build | 26100.xxxx | The exact update level |
| System type | 64-bit operating system | Whether Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit |
Version names such as 24H2 mean the update was released in the second half of 2024. Newer versions bring new features and longer support.
How do you check your Windows version?
1. Use winver (fastest)
Press Windows + R, type winver and press Enter. The About Windows box shows the version and OS build.
2. Use the Settings app
On Windows 11, open Settings > System > About. Under Windows specifications, you will see the edition, version, installed date and OS build. Under Device specifications, the system type shows whether you have 64-bit Windows. On Windows 10, the path is Settings > System > About as well.
Aisha needed to install accounting software that required 64-bit Windows 11 version 23H2 or later. She opened Settings, System, About, and saw Windows 11 Pro, version 24H2, 64-bit. She knew straight away the software would work.
3. Use System Information
Press Start, type System Information and open it. The summary lists the OS name, version and build, plus detailed hardware information.
4. Use a command
Open Command Prompt and type ver for the build number, or systeminfo for a full report including OS name, version and install date. In PowerShell, Get-ComputerInfo shows similar details.
5. Check from the keyboard shortcut
Press Windows + Pause/Break on keyboards that have the key, which opens the About page directly.
Take a screenshot of your Settings, System, About page and keep it in a notes app. Support teams and software installers ask for these details often, and it saves you looking them up every time.
Which Windows 11 versions match which builds?
If you only know your build number, this table helps you match it to a Windows 11 version:
| Windows 11 version | OS build starts with | Released |
|---|---|---|
| 21H2 | 22000 | 2021 |
| 22H2 | 22621 | 2022 |
| 23H2 | 22631 | 2023 |
| 24H2 | 26100 | 2024 |
| 25H2 | 26200 | 2025 |
The numbers after the dot in a build, for example 26100.2894, show the latest monthly update installed. A higher number means newer patches.
Why does your Windows version matter?
- Security updates: Older versions stop receiving security fixes. See our Windows 10 end of life guide.
- Software compatibility: Many apps list a minimum Windows version or require 64-bit Windows.
- Features: Some features only exist in Pro or newer versions. Compare editions in our Windows 11 Pro vs Home guide.
- Support: Help guides and IT teams need to know your exact version to give the right steps.
How can you check the version if Windows will not start?
- Check the recovery screen: The Windows recovery options often show the Windows release name.
- Look at the product sticker: Older PCs have a sticker showing the edition the PC shipped with, though it may have been upgraded since.
- Check the purchase records: Your receipt or the manufacturer’s support page for your serial number usually lists the original Windows edition.
- Ask your IT team: Company devices are usually recorded in an inventory system.
How do you check many PCs at once?
Small businesses with several computers can save time by checking versions in one go.
- Run
winveron each PC and note the result in a spreadsheet. - If you use Microsoft Intune or another management tool, export the device list, which includes OS versions.
- Mark any PC on Windows 10 or an older Windows 11 version for updating.
Keeping this list up to date makes it easy to plan upgrades before support ends.
How do you update to the latest version?
- Open Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates.
- If a feature update is available, select Download and install.
- Restart when prompted.
If you are on Windows 10, read how to update to Windows 11 for a full upgrade guide. Microsoft also publishes release information for Windows 11 showing current versions and builds.
A small office found two PCs still on an old Windows 11 version that had stopped receiving updates. Checking winver on every machine took five minutes and showed which ones needed a feature update, which Windows Update then installed overnight.
What if you are not sure it is Windows?
If your computer has an Apple logo or menu at the top of the screen, it runs macOS, not Windows. Click the Apple menu and choose About This Mac to see the version. Chromebooks show their version in Settings > About ChromeOS.
Press Windows + R, type winver and press Enter. Note your version and build, then open Windows Update to see whether a newer version is waiting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check what Windows I have?
Press Windows + R, type winver and press Enter, or open Settings, System, About.
How do I know if I have Windows 10 or 11?
Run winver. The About Windows box names the release, and Windows 11 also has a centred Start button by default.
How do I know if my Windows is 64-bit?
Open Settings, System, About and look at System type under Device specifications.
What does 24H2 mean?
It is the version name for the feature update released in the second half of 2024.
Where do I find my Windows edition?
In Settings, System, About under Windows specifications. It shows Home, Pro or another edition.
How do I find my Windows build number?
Run winver or type ver in Command Prompt.
Final Thoughts
- winver is the fastest way to see your Windows version and build.
- Settings, System, About shows edition, version and 64-bit status.
- Use System Information or systeminfo for full details.
- Keep Windows up to date for security and app compatibility.