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10 Tech How-To

How to Find Your Windows Build and Version

Guide 10-15803 · Updated · Step by step

Knowing your exact Windows build and version is essential for troubleshooting, checking software compatibility, and understanding which features you have. This guide shows you several quick ways to find this information, using built-in tools that work on Windows 10 and Windows 11. No prior technical knowledge is needed, and the whole process takes less than a minute.

What You’ll Need

  • A PC running Windows 10 or Windows 11.
  • Access to the Start menu or the ability to press keyboard shortcuts.
  • No administrator privileges are required for any of these methods.

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using the Win + Pause Shortcut (Fastest)

  1. Press the Windows key and the Pause/Break key at the same time on your keyboard. On many laptops, you may need to hold the Fn key while pressing Pause.
  2. The System window from the Control Panel will open immediately. This is the classic “About” page.
  3. Look for the Windows edition section. It shows the edition (e.g., Windows 11 Pro) and the version (e.g., 23H2).
  4. Look for the System type section to see if you’re running a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system.

Method 2: Using the Settings App (Windows 11 & Windows 10)

  1. Open the Start menu and click the Settings gear icon. Alternatively, press Windows + I on your keyboard.
  2. In Windows 11: Click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click About at the bottom. In Windows 10: Click System, then About in the left menu.
  3. Under Windows specifications, you’ll see:
    • Edition – e.g., Windows 11 Home or Windows 10 Pro.
    • Version – e.g., 23H2 or 22H2. This is the feature update version.
    • Installed on – the date the current feature update was installed.
    • OS build – a longer number like 22631.3155. This is the exact build number.
    • Experience – the Windows Feature Experience Pack version (on Windows 11).

Method 3: Using the Run Dialog (Winver)

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type winver and press Enter or click OK.
  3. A small dialog box will pop up. It shows the Windows logo, the edition, the version, and the OS build number. It also displays the copyright notice.
  4. Click OK to close it.

Method 4: Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Windows 11) or Command Prompt / Windows PowerShell (Windows 10).
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: 
    ver
  3. The output will show a one-line version like Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22631.3155]. This gives you the build number but not the edition or feature update name.
  4. For more detail, type this command and press Enter: 
    systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS Name" /C:"OS Version"
  5. You’ll see the full OS name (e.g., Microsoft Windows 11 Pro) and the version (e.g., 10.0.22631 Build 22631).

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing “Version” with “Build”: The version (like 23H2) is a marketing name for a feature update. The build (like 22631) is a technical number that includes the cumulative updates. Both are useful, but they are not the same.
  • Looking at the wrong “System” page: The Settings app has a “System” section for display, sound, and notifications. You must go to System > About to find the Windows version.
  • Using the 32-bit vs 64-bit confusion: The “System type” line tells you the processor architecture, not the Windows version. Don’t mistake “x64-based processor” for the version number.
  • Forgetting to press Fn on laptops: The Pause key is often shared with another function. If the Win + Pause shortcut doesn’t work, use the Settings method instead.

Tips

  • If you need to share your Windows version with a support technician, copy the OS build number and the Version (e.g., 23H2). That gives them the exact patch level.
  • To check if a specific Windows update is installed, look at the Installed on date and compare it with the update history from Windows Update.
  • Bookmark the Settings > About page if you check it often. You can also pin the System window from the Control Panel to your taskbar for quick access.
  • For a quick one-liner in a script, use wmic os get Caption, Version, BuildNumber in Command Prompt. It returns the edition, version, and build in a neat table.

Troubleshooting

The Win + Pause shortcut does nothing

  • Some keyboards, especially compact ones, lack a Pause key. Try the Settings method instead.
  • If you have a laptop, hold the Fn key while pressing the key that has “Pause” printed in a smaller color.
  • As a fallback, right-click the Start button and select System – this opens the same Control Panel page.

The Settings app shows “Windows 10” but you think you have Windows 11

  • Double-check that you are looking at the Windows specifications section, not the Device specifications section. The latter shows hardware info, not the OS.
  • If the edition line says “Windows 10”, you are indeed on Windows 10. Some Windows 11 themes or skins can be misleading.

Winver shows a build number but you need the feature update version

  • The winver dialog shows the version (e.g., 23H2) right above the build number. If it’s not there, you may have a very old build. Run Windows Update to get the latest version.
  • You can also use the Settings method to see the “Version” field.

Command Prompt says “not recognized as an internal or external command”

  • Make sure you typed the command exactly, including spaces. For the systeminfo command, the quotes and slashes must be correct.
  • If you’re in PowerShell, the ver command should work, but systeminfo might be blocked by permissions. Use Get-ComputerInfo | Select-Object WindowsProductName, WindowsVersion, OsBuildNumber instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between version and build?

The version (like 23H2) is the feature update name that Microsoft uses for marketing and support. The build (like 22631.3155) is the exact compilation number, which includes all cumulative updates. The build is more precise for troubleshooting.

Why do I need to know my Windows build?

Software requirements often specify a minimum build number. For example, some apps require Windows 10 version 2004 or newer. Knowing your build helps you check compatibility and whether you need to update.

Can I find the build without logging in?

Yes, you can see the version on the login screen by clicking the power icon and then “About” (or by pressing Win + Pause on the login screen). Some methods like winver also work if you can open the Run dialog before logging in.

Does the build number change after a Windows Update?

Yes, cumulative updates increase the last digits of the build number (e.g., from 22631.3007 to 22631.3155). Feature updates change the first part of the build number (e.g., from 22621 to 22631).

Is the 64-bit version better than 32-bit?

64-bit Windows can use more RAM and run 64-bit software. Most modern PCs are 64-bit. You can check your system type in the About page. If you have 32-bit Windows, you can only upgrade to 64-bit by reinstalling Windows.

What does “Experience” mean in Windows 11?

The Windows Feature Experience Pack is a separate component that allows Microsoft to update certain features without a full OS update. It’s not critical for compatibility but can be useful for troubleshooting UI issues.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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