How to Check Your Windows 10 Version: A Comprehensive Guide

Knowing which version of Windows 10 you are running is crucial for several reasons. It helps you determine compatibility with software and hardware, ensures you are receiving the latest security updates, and allows you to troubleshoot issues more effectively. Microsoft regularly releases feature updates to Windows 10, and each version has a specific build number. This guide provides detailed instructions on how to check your Windows 10 version using various methods.

## Why Knowing Your Windows 10 Version Matters

Before diving into the methods, let’s understand why identifying your Windows 10 version is important:

* **Software Compatibility:** Some software applications are designed to work only with specific Windows 10 versions. Knowing your version helps you verify compatibility before installing new software.
* **Hardware Compatibility:** Similar to software, some hardware devices may require specific Windows 10 versions to function correctly. Checking your version ensures compatibility with new hardware.
* **Security Updates:** Microsoft releases security updates regularly for each Windows 10 version. Knowing your version allows you to ensure you are receiving the latest security patches, protecting your system from vulnerabilities.
* **Troubleshooting:** When encountering issues, knowing your Windows 10 version can help you find relevant solutions and troubleshooting guides specific to your system.
* **Feature Availability:** New features are often introduced in feature updates. Knowing your version helps you determine if you have access to the latest features.

## Methods to Check Your Windows 10 Version

Here are several methods to check your Windows 10 version:

### Method 1: Using the Settings App

The Settings app is the easiest and most straightforward way to check your Windows 10 version. Here’s how:

1. **Open the Settings App:**
* Click the **Start** button in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
* Click the **Settings** icon (gear icon) in the Start menu.
* Alternatively, press the **Windows key + I** to open the Settings app directly.

2. **Navigate to System:**
* In the Settings app, click on **System**.

3. **Select About:**
* In the System settings, scroll down the left-hand menu and click on **About**.

4. **View Windows Specifications:**
* On the right-hand side of the About page, scroll down to the **Windows specifications** section.
* Here, you will find the following information:
* **Edition:** This shows the edition of Windows 10 you are running (e.g., Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro).
* **Version:** This displays the version number of Windows 10 (e.g., 22H2, 21H2). The version number indicates the year and half of the year when the feature update was released. For example, 22H2 means the update was released in the second half of 2022.
* **Installed on:** This shows the date when the specific version of Windows 10 was installed on your system.
* **OS build:** This is the detailed build number of your Windows 10 installation. It’s a more specific identifier than the version number.

5. **Understanding the Information:**
* The **Edition** tells you which version of Windows 10 you have (Home, Pro, Enterprise, etc.).
* The **Version** is the most common way to identify your Windows 10 release. Each version has a specific lifecycle, with Microsoft providing updates and support for a limited time. Knowing your version allows you to determine if your system is still supported.
* The **OS build** provides a more granular level of detail. It’s useful for troubleshooting specific issues and ensuring you have the correct updates installed.

### Method 2: Using the `winver` Command

The `winver` command is a quick and easy way to display the About Windows dialog box, which contains your Windows 10 version information. Here’s how to use it:

1. **Open the Run Dialog Box:**
* Press the **Windows key + R** to open the Run dialog box.

2. **Type `winver` and Press Enter:**
* In the Run dialog box, type `winver` (without quotes) and press **Enter** or click **OK**.

3. **View the About Windows Dialog Box:**
* A dialog box titled **About Windows** will appear, displaying the following information:
* **Microsoft Windows:** This shows the edition of Windows 10 you are running.
* **Version:** This displays the version number of Windows 10 (e.g., Version 22H2).
* **OS Build:** This is the detailed build number of your Windows 10 installation.

4. **Understanding the Information:**
* The **Version** and **OS Build** provide the same information as in the Settings app. This method is simply a quicker way to access that information.

### Method 3: Using the Command Prompt (CMD)

The Command Prompt provides several ways to retrieve your Windows 10 version information. Here are two methods using the Command Prompt:

**Method 3a: Using the `ver` Command**

1. **Open the Command Prompt:**
* Click the **Start** button.
* Type `cmd` or `command prompt` in the search bar.
* Click on **Command Prompt** in the search results to open it.
* Alternatively, you can right-click on the Start button and select **Command Prompt** (or **Windows PowerShell**).

2. **Type `ver` and Press Enter:**
* In the Command Prompt window, type `ver` (without quotes) and press **Enter**.

3. **View the Windows Version:**
* The Command Prompt will display the Windows version in the following format: `Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.xxxxx.yyyy]`
* `xxxxx` represents the build number.
* `yyyy` represents the revision number.

4. **Understanding the Information:**
* This method provides the OS Build number, which can be used to identify the specific version of Windows 10.

**Method 3b: Using the `systeminfo` Command**

1. **Open the Command Prompt:**
* Follow the same steps as in Method 3a to open the Command Prompt.

2. **Type `systeminfo` and Press Enter:**
* In the Command Prompt window, type `systeminfo` (without quotes) and press **Enter**.
* This command will gather system information, which may take a few seconds.

3. **View the Windows Version Information:**
* Scroll through the output to find the following lines:
* **OS Name:** This shows the edition of Windows 10 you are running.
* **OS Version:** This displays the version number and build number of Windows 10 (e.g., 10.0.xxxxx Build xxxxx).

4. **Understanding the Information:**
* The `systeminfo` command provides comprehensive system information, including the OS Name (edition) and OS Version (version and build number).

### Method 4: Using PowerShell

PowerShell is a more advanced command-line interface that provides powerful scripting capabilities. Here’s how to check your Windows 10 version using PowerShell:

1. **Open PowerShell:**
* Click the **Start** button.
* Type `powershell` in the search bar.
* Click on **Windows PowerShell** in the search results to open it.
* Alternatively, you can right-click on the Start button and select **Windows PowerShell** (or **Windows PowerShell (Admin)**).

2. **Type the PowerShell Command:**
* In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press **Enter**:
powershell
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_OperatingSystem | Select-Object Caption, Version, BuildNumber

3. **View the Windows Version Information:**
* The command will output the following information:
* **Caption:** This shows the edition of Windows 10 you are running.
* **Version:** This displays the version number of Windows 10.
* **BuildNumber:** This is the detailed build number of your Windows 10 installation.

4. **Understanding the Information:**
* This PowerShell command retrieves the same information as the previous methods but presents it in a structured format.

### Method 5: Checking the Registry Editor (Advanced)

**Warning:** Modifying the Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Proceed with caution and only if you are comfortable with editing the registry.

1. **Open the Registry Editor:**
* Press the **Windows key + R** to open the Run dialog box.
* Type `regedit` (without quotes) and press **Enter** or click **OK**.
* Click **Yes** if prompted by User Account Control.

2. **Navigate to the Windows NT CurrentVersion Key:**
* In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:
`HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion`

3. **View the Windows Version Information:**
* In the right-hand pane, you will find several values that contain information about your Windows 10 version:
* **ProductName:** This shows the edition of Windows 10 you are running.
* **ReleaseId:** This displays the version number of Windows 10 (e.g., 22H2).
* **BuildLabEx:** This contains the build number and revision number of Windows 10.
* **CurrentBuild:** This is the current build number of your Windows 10 installation.
* **UBR:** Update Build Revision – A more granular revision number.

4. **Understanding the Information:**
* The Registry Editor provides the most detailed information about your Windows 10 installation. However, it’s essential to be careful when modifying registry values.

## Identifying Your Windows 10 Version: A Summary Table

## Common Windows 10 Versions and Their End of Service Dates

Microsoft provides a lifecycle for each Windows 10 version, with a specific end of service (EOS) date. After the EOS date, Microsoft no longer provides security updates or non-security fixes for that version. It’s essential to upgrade to a supported version to ensure your system remains secure.

Here’s a table of some common Windows 10 versions and their EOS dates (as of October 2024; always check Microsoft’s official documentation for the most up-to-date information):

| Version | Release Date | End of Service (Home, Pro, Pro Education, Pro for Workstations) | End of Service (Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise) |
| :——- | :———– | :—————————————————————— | :——————————————————— |
| 22H2 | October 2022 | October 14, 2025 | October 14, 2025 |
| 21H2 | November 2021 | June 13, 2023 | June 11, 2024 |
| 21H1 | May 2021 | December 13, 2022 | December 13, 2022 |
| 20H2 | October 2020 | May 10, 2022 | May 9, 2023 |
| 2004 | May 2020 | December 14, 2021 | December 14, 2021 |
| 1909 | November 2019 | May 11, 2021 | May 11, 2021 |
| 1903 | May 2019 | December 8, 2020 | December 8, 2020 |
| 1809 | November 2018 | November 10, 2020 | May 11, 2021 |

**Note:** The end of service dates can vary depending on the edition of Windows 10. Always refer to Microsoft’s official documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

## How to Upgrade to the Latest Windows 10 Version

If you are running an older, unsupported version of Windows 10, it’s crucial to upgrade to the latest version. Here’s how to do it:

1. **Check for Windows Updates:**
* Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
* Click on **Update & Security**.
* Click on **Windows Update** in the left-hand menu.
* Click on **Check for updates**.

2. **Install Available Updates:**
* Windows Update will scan for available updates, including feature updates. If a feature update is available, it will be downloaded and installed automatically.
* You may need to restart your computer to complete the installation.

3. **Use the Media Creation Tool:**
* If Windows Update doesn’t offer the latest feature update, you can use the Media Creation Tool to perform a manual upgrade.
* Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website.
* Run the tool and follow the on-screen instructions to upgrade your PC.
* You can choose to keep your personal files and apps during the upgrade process.

## Troubleshooting Windows 10 Version Issues

If you encounter issues related to your Windows 10 version, here are some troubleshooting tips:

* **Incompatible Software or Hardware:** If a software application or hardware device is not compatible with your Windows 10 version, consider upgrading your Windows 10 version or finding compatible alternatives.
* **Missing Security Updates:** Ensure you are receiving the latest security updates by checking for updates regularly in the Settings app.
* **Driver Issues:** Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause various problems. Update your drivers through Device Manager or by downloading the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
* **System File Corruption:** Corrupted system files can lead to instability and errors. Run the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan and repair corrupted system files.
* Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
* Type `sfc /scannow` and press Enter.
* The SFC tool will scan your system for corrupted files and attempt to repair them.

* **Clean Boot:** Perform a clean boot to identify if any third-party applications or services are causing conflicts.
* Press the **Windows key + R** to open the Run dialog box.
* Type `msconfig` and press Enter.
* In the System Configuration window, go to the **Services** tab.
* Check the **Hide all Microsoft services** box.
* Click **Disable all**.
* Go to the **Startup** tab and click **Open Task Manager**.
* In Task Manager, disable all startup items.
* Restart your computer.

## Conclusion

Checking your Windows 10 version is a simple but important task that can help you ensure compatibility, security, and access to the latest features. By using the methods outlined in this guide, you can easily identify your Windows 10 version and stay informed about the support status of your system. Remember to keep your Windows 10 version up to date to maintain a secure and stable computing environment. Regularly checking for updates and upgrading to the latest version will ensure you have the best possible experience with Windows 10.

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How to Check Your Windows 10 Version: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Check Your Windows 10 Version: A Comprehensive Guide