The fastest way to check your Windows version

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app that appears. Go to System in the left menu, scroll down, and click About. Look for the line that says "Edition" — that tells you whether you have Windows 11, Windows 10, or an older version. Below that, "Version" shows you the specific update number, and "OS Build" shows the exact build installed on your machine right now.

That's the information you need to know what your computer is running. The Edition is what matters most for compatibility and support — it tells you how long Microsoft will keep sending security updates and whether your machine can run certain programs.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Windows Edition (like Windows 11 or Windows 10) appears in Settings > System > About under the "Edition" line.
  • The Version number below Edition tells you which major update you're on, which affects which security patches you receive.
  • Windows 10 stops receiving updates in October 2025, so machines running it will need to upgrade or stop getting security fixes after that date.
  • You can also check your version by right-clicking "This PC" on your desktop, clicking Properties, and scrolling to the bottom of the window.

Why knowing your Windows version matters

Your Windows version determines three things: how long you'll receive security updates, whether new software will run on your machine, and what troubleshooting steps will actually work for your system. If you're following instructions online and they say "go to Settings" but your screen looks different, it's usually because you're on a different Windows version than the guide was written for.

Microsoft stops supporting older versions after a certain date. Windows 10 receives updates until October 14, 2025. After that date, Microsoft will no longer release security patches for Windows 10, which means vulnerabilities discovered after that point won't be fixed. Windows 11, released in 2021, will be supported until October 14, 2025 as well, but newer versions of Windows 11 (with higher build numbers) will continue receiving updates beyond that.

The difference between Edition, Version, and Build

Edition is the broadest category. Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro, Windows 10 Home, and Windows 10 Pro are all different editions. Home is the standard version most people have. Pro includes extra features like remote desktop and BitLocker encryption, and is usually what businesses use. Enterprise and Education editions exist but are less common on personal machines.

Version is a major update number. Windows 10 has versions like 22H2, 21H2, and older ones. Windows 11 has versions like 23H2 and 22H2. Each version represents a major update that Microsoft released, usually twice a year. Your Version number tells you whether you're current or running an older update that may stop receiving patches soon.

Build is the most specific number. It changes every time Microsoft releases a security patch or smaller update. You don't usually need to know your exact build number, but it's useful if you're troubleshooting a specific problem and a support article mentions "this issue was fixed in build 22621.1928" — you can check whether your build is newer than that.

Alternative ways to check if Settings doesn't work

If the Settings app won't open or you prefer a different method, right-click on "This PC" or "My Computer" on your desktop, then click Properties. A window will open showing your system information. Scroll to the bottom and you'll see "Edition," "Version," and "OS Build" listed the same way they appear in Settings.

You can also press the Windows key and R together to open the Run dialog, type winver, and press Enter. A small window will pop up showing your Edition, Version, and Build number. This method works on every version of Windows 10 and Windows 11.

One more option: press the Windows key and R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. This opens System Information, which shows your OS Name (Edition), Version, and Build, along with other details like your processor and RAM. This is the most detailed view, but you only need the first three pieces of information.

What to do if you're running an old version

If your Version number is more than a few updates behind the current one, Windows Update may not have run recently. Open Settings, go to Update & Security (on Windows 10) or System > Windows Update (on Windows 11), and click Check for updates. Windows will read and install the latest patches, which may take 15 minutes to an hour depending on how many updates are waiting.

Your computer may restart during this process — save your work first. After the restart, go back to Settings > About and check your Version number again. It should be higher than before. If you're still several versions behind after checking for updates, your machine may need a larger feature update, which can take longer to read and install.

Understanding support dates and what happens when they end

Microsoft publishes an end-of-support date for each Windows version. Windows 10 Home and Pro both end support on October 14, 2025. Windows 11 Home and Pro end support on October 13, 2026. These dates mean Microsoft will stop releasing security patches on those dates, not that your computer will stop working.

After the support date passes, your machine will continue to run, but any new security vulnerabilities discovered won't be patched. This doesn't mean you'll be hacked when ready, but it does mean your computer becomes riskier to use for banking, shopping, or storing sensitive information. If you're running Windows 10 and it's now 2025 or later, upgrading to Windows 11 is the next step — though you should check whether your hardware meets Windows 11's requirements first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free?

Yes, if your computer meets the hardware requirements. Windows 11 needs a processor from roughly 2017 or newer, at least 4 GB of RAM, and a 64 GB hard drive. You can check whether your machine qualifies by downloading the PC Health Check app from Microsoft's website and running it — it will tell you which requirements you meet and which you don't.

What if my computer is too old to run Windows 11?

You can continue using Windows 10 until October 2025, but after that date you'll need to either replace the machine or install a different operating system like Linux. Some older machines can run lightweight Linux distributions that use less processing power than Windows. Your local computer repair shop can help you explore those options if you want to keep using an older machine.

Does my Edition (Home vs. Pro) affect security updates?

No. Both Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro receive the same security patches and stop receiving them on the same date. The difference is in features — Pro has remote desktop, BitLocker encryption, and Group Policy tools that Home doesn't have. For security purposes, Edition doesn't matter; Version and Build do.

Why does my Version number look different from what I see online?

Windows releases updates on different schedules depending on your region and whether you're in a business or home network. Your Version number may be one or two updates behind what you see in a recent article, and that's normal. As long as you're within the last two or three versions, you're receiving current security patches.

What if I see "Windows N" or "Windows KN" in my Edition?

These are regional versions sold in Europe and South Korea. They're identical to regular Windows except they don't include Windows Media Player or certain media codecs. If you need those features, you can read them separately from Microsoft. Otherwise, your machine works exactly like any other Windows computer.