How to Find Your Windows Version Using Command Prompt

You can check your Windows version from Command Prompt using ver, systeminfo or winver.

Why check your Windows version?

The operating system name, edition and build help when checking software compatibility or investigating an update issue. Record the details relevant to the problem rather than relying on a version number alone.

Methods to check Windows version using Command Prompt

Press Windows + R, enter cmd and press Enter. The following methods check the local computer.

Show the version number with ver

ver

This displays the Windows version number. It does not provide a complete edition or release summary.

Show operating system details with systeminfo

systeminfo

Look for OS Name, OS Version and System Type. These identify the operating system, its build and the system architecture. Labels vary with the Windows display language.

Open the About Windows window

Run the following command from Command Prompt:

winver

This opens the About Windows window, where you can read the release and OS build information. It opens a graphical window rather than returning a text summary in the terminal.

Example outputs

For illustration, ver on an older Windows installation might return:

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19045.4046]

This is an example, not a recommended or current build. The values on your computer will differ. Use systeminfo or winver when you also need the product name, edition or release information.

Older WMIC and registry examples

WMIC is deprecated and is being removed from Windows, so do not rely on wmic os get being available. The methods above fulfil the same version-checking task without it.

The earlier registry example also treated ReleaseId as a current release label. Registry values can be retained for compatibility and are not a reliable substitute for the release information in About Windows.