Don’t know what Windows version you are running on the computer? Interested to know which version of Windows 10 comes preinstalled on your new laptop? Here this article introduces Windows versions to you and tells you how to check the Windows version, build number, it’s 32 bit or 64 bit and more. Before start let’s first understand what is version, edition, and build.
Windows versions refer to a major release of Windows. So far, Microsoft has released Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.
For the latest Windows 10, Microsoft releases feature updates twice a year (roughly every six months). Feature updates are technically new versions of Windows 10, which become available during spring and fall. These are also known as “semi-annual” releases that bring new features and improvements to the operating system. Read: The difference between feature update and quality update
Windows 10 version history
- Version 1909, November 2019 (Build number 18363).
- Version 1903, May 2019 Update (Build number 18362).
- Version 1809, October 2018 Update (Build number 17763).
- Version 1803, April 2018 Update (Build number 17134).
- Version 1709, Fall Creators Update (Build number 16299).
- Version 1703, Creators Update (Build number 15063).
- Version 1607, Anniversary Update (Build number 14393).
- Version 1511, November Update (Build number 10586).
- Version 1507, Initial Release (Build number 10240).
Windows editions (Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 pro) are flavors of the operating system that offer different features and services
Microsoft is also still offering both 64-bit and 32-bit versions of Windows 10. A 32-bit operating system is designed for 32-bit CPU and 64-bit operating system is designed for 64-bit CPU. Here to note 64-bit operating system can’t be installed on 32-bit CPU, but the 32-bit operating system can be installed on 64-bit CPU. Read the difference between 32 bit and 64 bit Windows 10.
Check windows 10 version
Windows offer different ways, to check the version, edition, build number or check its 32 bit or 64-bit windows installed on your computer. Here this post explains how to check the windows 10 version using the command prompt, system information, settings app or from about windows.
Check Windows 10 version from settings
Here is how to find the Windows version through the Settings app.
- Click on the start menu then select settings,
- Click system then in the left pane click about,
- Here you will Find Device specifications and Windows specifications in the right box.
Under Windows specifications, you will find the edition, version, and OS build information. In Device specifications, you should see the RAM and system type information. (refer to the image below). Here also you get the information of when the version was installed,
Here my system showing Windows 10 pro, version 1909, OS build 18363.657. The system type 64 bit OS x64 based processor.
Check Windows version using winver command
This is another simple and quick way to check which version and edition of Windows 10 is installed on your laptop.
- Press Windows key + R to open run\
- Next, type winver and click ok
- This will open About Windows where you can get the version and OS build information.
Check Windows version on Command prompt
Also, you can check the windows version, edition, and build number details on the command prompt using one simple command line systeminfo.
- Open the command prompt as administrator,
- Now type command systeminfo then press the enter key on the keyboard,
- This will display all system configuration with Installed OS name, Version, Which edition and build of windows installed on your system, OS install date, hotfixes installed, and more.
Check Windows 10 version using System Information
Similarly, you can also open the System Information window that not only gives you Windows versions information, but also list other information such as hardware resources, components, and software environment.
- Press Windows + R keyboard shortcut,
- Type msinfo32 and click ok to open the system information window.
- Under the system summary, you will get all the information on the Windows version and build number details.
Bonus: Show Windows 10 Build number on Desktop
If you are looking to display the windows 10 build number on your Desktop, follow the registry tweak below.
- Press Windows + R, type regedit, and click ok,
- This will open Windows registry editor,
- On the left-hand side navigate HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
- Making sure you’ve selected Desktop in the left pane,
- next, look for PaintDesktopVersion in the right-hand pane of alphabetical entries.
- Double-click on it and change value data 0 to 1 click ok close window.
- Close the registry window and simply Restart Windows to take effect.
That’s it, you should now see the Windows version painted on your lovely Windows 10 desktop,
Also read:
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