To check which Windows you have, open Settings > System > About. Under Windows specifications you’ll see the edition and version, and under Device specifications you’ll see whether the system is 32-bit or 64-bit. The quicker route is the winver command, which opens a small window with the version and build number. Both work on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Most people look this up because an installer asks for “Windows 11, 64-bit,” a support page asks for a build number, or they want to know whether the PC still gets updates. Each of those uses a different piece of information, and this guide shows where to find each one.
Method 1: Settings
This is the path Microsoft documents on its support site, and it gives the fullest answer.
- Right-click the Start button and select Settings.
- Select System.
- Select About.
- Under Windows specifications, read the edition and version you’re running.
- Under Device specifications, check whether Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit.
Microsoft also says you can jump straight to the About page: press the Windows key + R, type ms-settings:about, and press Enter.
What each field means
- Edition: the flavor of Windows you own, such as Home, Pro, Enterprise or Education, according to How-To Geek.
- Version: the name of the yearly feature update, such as 24H2. The pattern is a two-digit year followed by H1 or H2 for the first or second half of the year. Microsoft notes that most big releases have landed in the second half, though some come in the first.
- OS build: the exact number of what’s installed, including monthly fixes. How-To Geek gives 14393.693 as an example, where the part after the dot rises with minor updates.
- System type: whether Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit, and whether the processor supports 64-bit.
Method 2: the winver command
If all you need is the version and build, winver takes two steps.
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run box.
- Type
winverand press Enter. - In the About Windows window, the version and build are on the second line, with the edition a couple of lines below.
You can also type winver into the Start menu and press Enter. This window doesn’t say whether Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit, so use Settings for that.
Reading the build number
The build number tells you which platform features your system has, and it’s the most precise answer when a program or support page asks for a specific Windows 11 release. Microsoft’s developer documentation lists these matches:
| Windows 11 version | Release year | OS build |
|---|---|---|
| 22H2 | 2022 | 22621 |
| 23H2 | 2023 | 22631 |
| 24H2 | 2024 | 26100 |
If your PC shows build 26100, you’re on 24H2. The same page mentions 25H2 as an example of the naming pattern but doesn’t list its build in the table, so compare the number on your screen with what the installer or support article asks for.
Windows 10 or Windows 11: support has changed
Microsoft’s support page states that support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. Since then, Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance or security fixes for it, and it recommends moving to Windows 11. If your edition field says Windows 10, treat that as a warning: the PC still boots, but it no longer gets Microsoft’s security fixes.
32-bit or 64-bit: which installer to download
System type decides which installer you should download. Many programs offer one file per architecture, and the wrong one gives you an install error or an app that won’t open. If System type says 64-bit, pick the 64-bit installer. If it shows a 32-bit system on a 64-bit-capable processor, download the 32-bit installer, because that’s what the installed Windows can run.
What if your screen looks different?
Menu names can shift slightly between versions. If About isn’t where this guide says, winver and the ms-settings:about link take you to the same information.
If you’re about to update Windows and your drive is nearly full, our guide to freeing up space with the DISM command shows how to clear system files. And to capture your screen when asking someone for help, see how to screenshot on a PC.
FAQ
What’s the difference between version and build?
The version is the name of the yearly update, like 24H2. The build is the exact number installed, and it also changes with smaller monthly updates.
Does winver show whether Windows is 64-bit?
No. According to How-To Geek, the window shows the version, build and edition, but not the architecture. For 32-bit or 64-bit, go to Settings > System > About.
My PC still runs Windows 10. What now?
Support ended on October 14, 2025, and Microsoft recommends Windows 11. Check Microsoft’s website to see whether your PC is compatible before you change anything.
Can I open the About screen without clicking through menus?
Yes. Type ms-settings:about into the Run box (Windows key + R) and press Enter.
