Greetings readers, are you struggling to determine which version of Windows you are on? Don’t worry, you are not alone. Knowing the Windows version you are running can help you troubleshoot problems, update drivers, and ensure compatibility with certain software. In this article, we will guide you on how to check your Windows version using the command prompt.
Steps
Step 1: Open Command Prompt
The first thing you need to do is open Command Prompt. You can do this by pressing the Windows key and typing “cmd” in the search bar. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Win + R” and type “cmd” in the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Run Command Prompt as Administrator
Next, you need to run Command Prompt as an administrator. Right-click on the Command Prompt app and select “Run as Administrator.”
Step 3: Enter the “Ver” command
After opening the Command Prompt as Administrator, type “ver” and press Enter. This command will display the Windows version and the build number.
Step 4: Check the Build Number
The Build number is displayed after the Windows version. It consists of four digits in the format YYYYMMDD. The first digit represents the year, the second and third digits represent the month, and the fourth digit represents the day.
Step 5: Compare Build Number with Windows Version
Use the table below to compare the build number with the corresponding Windows version:
| Build Number | Windows Version |
|---|---|
| 22000 | Windows 11 |
| 19043 | Windows 10 version 21H1 |
| 19042 | Windows 10 version 20H2 |
| 18363 | Windows 10 version 1909 |
| 17763 | Windows 10 version 1809 |
| 17134 | Windows 10 version 1803 |
| 16299 | Windows 10 version 1709 |
| 15063 | Windows 10 version 1703 |
| 14393 | Windows 10 version 1607 |
| 10586 | Windows 10 version 1511 |
| 10240 | Windows 10 version 1507 |
Step 6: Use “Systeminfo” Command
You can also use the “Systeminfo” command to check your Windows version. Type “systeminfo” and press Enter. This command will display various system information, including the Windows version, build number, and installation date.
Step 7: Use “WMIC” Command
Another command you can use is “wmic os get caption, version, osarchitecture.” Type this command and press Enter. It will display the Windows version, the build number, and whether your system is on 32-bit or 64-bit architecture.
Step 8: Use “Winver” Command
The “winver” command will also display the Windows version and build number. Type “winver” and press Enter. This will open the About Windows dialog box, which displays the version number, the build number, and the installed edition of Windows.
Step 9: Use Settings App
If you are using Windows 10, you can also check your Windows version using the Settings app. Open Settings, click on System, and then click on About. Here, you will see the Windows specifications, including the version number, the build number, and the edition.
Step 10: Check Registry
You can also check the Windows version by accessing the registry. Open the Registry Editor by typing “regedit” in the search bar. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion. Here, you will see various information about your Windows installation, including the edition, build number, and version number.
Step 11: Check Computer Properties
You can also check your Windows version by accessing the Computer Properties. Right-click on “This PC” and select “Properties.” Here, you will see the Windows edition, the version number, and the build number.
Step 12: Check Windows Update
Lastly, you can check your Windows version by checking for updates. Open Settings, click on Update & Security, and then click on Windows Update. Here, you will see the current version of Windows and whether you have the latest updates installed.
Explanation
Now that you know the steps to check your Windows version using the command prompt, let’s explain each step in detail.
Step 1: Opening Command Prompt
Command Prompt is a Windows command-line interpreter that allows you to run various commands. You can open Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key and typing “cmd” in the search bar. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Win + R” and type “cmd” in the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Running Command Prompt as Administrator
Running Command Prompt as an Administrator gives you access to all the system files and enables you to perform administrative tasks. To run Command Prompt as an Administrator, right-click on the Command Prompt app and select “Run as Administrator.”
Step 3: Entering the “Ver” Command
The “ver” command is a built-in command in Windows that displays the operating system version, build number, and service pack level.
Step 4: Checking the Build Number
The Build number is a four-digit number that represents the year, month, and day of the Windows build. For example, a build number of 19042 represents the 42nd build of Windows 10 version 20H2.
Step 5: Comparing Build Number with Windows Version
In this step, we provided a table that matches each Windows version with its corresponding build number. You can use this table to determine which version of Windows you are running based on the build number.
Step 6: Using “Systeminfo” Command
The “systeminfo” command is a built-in command in Windows that displays various system information, including the Windows version, build number, and installation date.
Step 7: Using “WMIC” Command
The “wmic” command is a command-line tool that allows you to retrieve system information. In this step, we used the “wmic os” command to display the Windows version, build number, and system architecture.
Step 8: Using “Winver” Command
The “winver” command is a built-in command in Windows that displays the version number, build number, and installed edition of Windows.
Step 9: Using Settings App
The Settings app is a built-in app in Windows 10 that allows you to customize your system settings. In this step, we used the Settings app to check the Windows version.
Step 10: Checking Registry
The registry is a database that stores low-level settings for the Windows operating system. In this step, we accessed the registry to check the Windows version.
Step 11: Checking Computer Properties
Checking the Computer Properties is a quick and easy way to determine the Windows version. In this step, we right-clicked on “This PC” and selected “Properties” to access the Windows version.
Step 12: Checking Windows Update
Checking for updates is another way to determine the Windows version. In this step, we accessed Windows Update to check the current version of Windows.
Tips and Tricks
Tip 1: Use Command Prompt Keyboard Shortcuts
You can use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your work in Command Prompt. For example, you can press the up arrow key to access previously entered commands.
Tip 2: Use “Ver > FileName.txt” Command
You can save the output of the “ver” command to a file by using the “Ver > FileName.txt” command. This will save the output to a text file named “FileName.txt.”
Tip 3: Use “Systeminfo > FileName.txt” Command
Similar to the “ver” command, you can save the output of the “systeminfo” command to a file using the “Systeminfo > FileName.txt” command.
Tip 4: Use Windows PowerShell
Windows PowerShell is another powerful command-line tool that allows you to perform administrative tasks. You can use PowerShell to check your Windows version using the “Get-ComputerInfo.” command.
Tip 5: Use Third-Party Tools
There are many third-party tools, such as Speccy and Belarc Advisor, that can provide detailed system information, including the Windows version.
Tip 6: Keep Windows Updated
Keeping Windows updated ensures you have the latest security patches, features, and bug fixes. It also ensures compatibility with new software.
Tip 7: Use “Win + R” Shortcut
You can use the “Win + R” keyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog box and type commands, such as “cmd,” “regedit,” and “winver.”
Tip 8: Use Command Prompt in Safe Mode
If you are troubleshooting Windows in Safe mode, you can still use Command Prompt to check your Windows version.
Tip 9: Use Command Prompt in Windows PE
Windows PE is a lightweight version of Windows that allows you to perform system maintenance and recovery tasks. You can use Command Prompt in Windows PE to check your Windows version.
Tip 10: Know Your System Information
Knowing your system information, such as the processor, RAM, and storage, can help you troubleshoot problems and ensure compatibility with new software.
In conclusion, checking your Windows version using the command prompt is a straightforward process. By following the steps mentioned above, you can quickly determine which version of Windows you are running and ensure compatibility with certain software. Keep in mind the tips and tricks mentioned above to make using Command Prompt a breeze.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Checking Windows Version through CMD
Knowing your Windows version is important to ensure that your computer is compatible with certain software or hardware. You can easily check your Windows version by using the Command Prompt (CMD) tool. In this article, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of checking your Windows version through CMD.
Advantages
- Convenience: Using CMD to check your Windows version is a quick and easy process. It can save you time and effort compared to searching for the information in other ways.
- Accuracy: CMD provides accurate information about your Windows version. You can be assured that the information you get is up-to-date and correct.
- Useful for troubleshooting: Knowing your Windows version can be helpful when troubleshooting technical issues. CMD provides detailed information that can assist computer technicians and professionals in determining the root cause of a problem.
- Helpful for upgrading: When upgrading your computer’s hardware or software, knowing your Windows version is essential to ensure compatibility.
- Useful for software developers: Software developers need to know the Windows version for compatibility testing. CMD provides easy access to this information.
- Access to other system information: CMD provides a wealth of information about your computer’s configuration and system settings, beyond just the Windows version.
- Available on all Windows versions: CMD is a built-in feature of every Windows version, making it accessible to all users.
- Free to use: Checking your Windows version through CMD is completely free of cost.
- Accessible for non-technical users: CMD is an accessible tool even for non-technical users who may not be familiar with other ways of finding their Windows version.
- Can be used remotely: CMD can be used remotely to check Windows versions on other computers, making it a useful tool for network administrators.
Disadvantages
- Requires some technical knowledge: Using CMD requires a basic understanding of computer commands and the Windows operating system.
- No graphical interface: CMD is a command-line interface, which may not be user-friendly for some users who are used to graphical interfaces.
- No backup or recovery: CMD does not provide any backup or recovery options for your computer, making it necessary to back up your important files and settings in other ways.
- Potential for mistakes: Typing incorrect commands in CMD can potentially cause errors and problems with your computer.
- No support for other operating systems: CMD is only available on Windows operating systems, so you cannot use it to check the version of other operating systems.
- No GUI options: CMD does not offer any graphical user interface (GUI) options, which may be a disadvantage for some users who prefer GUI-based tools.
- No additional features: CMD is purely a tool for checking your Windows version and does not provide any additional features or functionalities.
- Limited flexibility: CMD provides information about your Windows version, but it may not be customizable for specific needs or preferences.
- No option for automatic updates: CMD does not have an automatic update feature, which means that you may need to check your Windows version manually on a regular basis.
- Possible security risks: Using CMD can potentially expose your computer to security risks if you are not careful about the commands you enter.
FAQ
1. What is CMD?
CMD is a command-line interpreter that lets you interact with your computer, serve as an input-output interface, and execute various commands.
2. What is the importance of checking the windows version via CMD?
Knowing your windows version can help you in various ways. For instance, you can determine which system settings, updates, or applications are compatible with your device.
3. How do I open CMD?
You can open CMD by typing “CMD” in the start menu, or pressing “Windows key + R” and typing “CMD” in the run window.
4. How do I check my Windows version using CMD?
You can check your Windows version by typing “ver” and pressing enter on your CMD window. The current version of your Windows should be displayed.
5. Can I check multiple Windows versions using CMD?
No, you can only check one version of your Windows using CMD.
6. Is there any other way to check Windows version?
Yes, you can go to your computer settings and check the “System” section to see the Windows version.
7. What should I do if I can’t find the CMD option?
If you can’t find CMD, you can try searching for “Command Prompt” in the start menu or go to “C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe” through File Explorer.
8. Can I access CMD if I am not an administrator of the computer?
Yes, you can access CMD even if you are not an administrator of the computer. However, there might be some limitations on what you can do or execute.
9. What are the advantages of using CMD compared to other methods?
CMD is lightweight, fast, and requires minimal resources compared to other methods. It’s also a powerful tool that allows you to manage various settings and features of your computer.
10. Are there any risks involved in using CMD?
If you don’t know what you’re doing or execute malicious code, CMD can pose a risk to your computer and data. Therefore, it’s essential to be careful and only execute commands that you understand.
11. How can I learn more about CMD and its features?
You can find various online resources and tutorials that provide information about CMD and its features. You can also experiment on your CMD window by executing different commands.
12. Can I customize my CMD window?
Yes, you can customize your CMD window by right-clicking on the title bar and selecting “Properties.” From there, you can change the font, color, and layout of the window.
13. What can I do if I encounter an error while using CMD?
If you encounter an error while using CMD, you can search for the error message online or consult a technical expert for help.
How to Check Windows Version Using CMD
When working with Windows, it is crucial to know what version you are using. This information is essential in ensuring that you are using the correct software and drivers and to know when you need to upgrade or update your system. Fortunately, you can easily check your Windows version using the Command Prompt or CMD. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to do so.
Conclusion and Closing
In conclusion, knowing how to check your Windows version using CMD is a simple process that can be done in less than a minute. By following the instructions outlined above, you can easily check your Windows version and continue using your system with confidence. If you encounter any issues or problems along the way, feel free to reach out to a computer technician or use the multitude of resources available online to help you.
We hope that this article has been helpful in guiding you on how to check Windows version using CMD. As always, remember to keep your Windows up-to-date, as this can help to ensure your system’s stability and security. Until next time, happy computing!