How Can I Check If I Have Windows 11 on My Computer?

Are you curious whether your computer is running the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system? With Windows 11 bringing a fresh look and new features, many users want to know if their device has already made the upgrade or if they’re still on an earlier version. Understanding which Windows version you have is the first step to unlocking the full potential of your PC and ensuring compatibility with new apps and updates.

Checking your Windows version might seem straightforward, but it can sometimes be confusing if you’re not familiar with the system settings or the various ways to access this information. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast eager to explore Windows 11’s innovations or simply want to confirm your system’s status, knowing how to verify your operating system version is essential. This knowledge helps you stay informed about your device’s capabilities and security updates.

In the following sections, we’ll guide you through simple and reliable methods to determine if your computer is running Windows 11. From quick system checks to understanding key visual cues, you’ll gain the confidence to identify your Windows version with ease. Get ready to discover how to check if you have Windows 11 and what that means for your computing experience.

Checking Your Windows Version Through System Settings

To determine if you are running Windows 11, one of the simplest and most direct methods is to use the System Settings application. This method provides detailed information about your operating system version, edition, and build number.

Begin by opening the Settings app, which you can do by clicking the Start menu and selecting the gear icon or by pressing the Windows key + I. Once in Settings, navigate to the System section, then scroll down and select About. Here, you will find various details about your PC, including the Windows specifications.

In the “Windows specifications” section, look for the following key indicators:

Edition: This will indicate the version of Windows installed, such as Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Home.
Version: Windows 11 versions start with “21H2” or later, while Windows 10 versions typically start with “20H2” or earlier.
OS Build: This number helps identify the specific build of Windows installed, with Windows 11 builds starting from 22000 and above.

Field	Windows 10 Example	Windows 11 Example
Edition	Windows 10 Pro	Windows 11 Home
Version	20H2	21H2
OS Build	19042.985	22000.675

This method is reliable because it uses the official system information, minimizing the chance of confusion with other versions or editions.

Using the Winver Command to Identify Windows Version

Another quick way to check if your PC runs Windows 11 is through the Winver command, which displays a dialog box with version and build details.

To use this method, follow these steps:

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
Type `winver` and press Enter.
A window titled “About Windows” will appear, showing your current version and build of Windows.

In this window, you can identify Windows 11 by the version number (21H2 or later) and build number (22000 or higher). The title bar will also explicitly mention “Windows 11” if that is the installed operating system.

This method is particularly useful for users who want a quick verification without navigating multiple settings menus. It provides concise information and works across all Windows versions.

Checking Windows Version via Command Prompt or PowerShell

For users comfortable with command-line tools, checking your Windows version can also be done using Command Prompt or PowerShell. This method is useful for scripting or remote diagnostics.

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and enter one of the following commands:

`systeminfo | findstr /B /C:”OS Name” /C:”OS Version”`
`ver`
`Get-ComputerInfo | Select OsName, OsVersion` (PowerShell only)

The output will clearly state the operating system name and version. For example:

OS Name: Microsoft Windows 11 Home
OS Version: 10.0.22000 Build 22000

Here, the version “10.0.22000” indicates Windows 11. This reflects Microsoft’s versioning scheme, where Windows 11 is still categorized under major version 10 but distinguished by the build number starting at 22000.

Identifying Windows 11 Using System Information Tool

The System Information utility offers comprehensive details about your hardware and software environment, including the Windows version.

To access it:

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
Type `msinfo32` and press Enter.
In the System Information window, under the System Summary section, locate the “OS Name” and “Version” fields.

Windows 11 will be indicated by the OS name, such as “Microsoft Windows 11 Home” or “Microsoft Windows 11 Pro,” and the version/build numbers as described previously.

This tool is valuable for advanced users who need a detailed system overview beyond the Windows version alone.

Visual Cues That Indicate Windows 11

Aside from technical version checks, Windows 11 includes distinctive visual features that can help users identify if they are running this version:

Centered Start Menu: Unlike Windows 10, which aligns the Start menu to the left, Windows 11 places the Start button and taskbar icons centrally by default.
Rounded Corners: Windows 11 introduces rounded window corners across the interface, differing from the sharp edges in Windows 10.
New Icons and UI Design: Updated icons, pastel color schemes, and a refreshed Settings app are hallmarks of Windows 11.
Widgets Panel: Accessed via a dedicated taskbar button, this feature provides personalized news, weather, and other content.

While these cues are not definitive proof of the operating system version, they serve as easy visual indicators to confirm if your PC is running Windows 11.

By combining both technical checks and visual inspection, you can confidently determine whether your computer is operating on Windows 11.

How to Verify Your Windows Version

To determine whether your computer is running Windows 11, you can use several built-in methods. These methods provide detailed information about your operating system version and build number.

Here are the most reliable ways to check your Windows version:

Using the Settings App:
This method is user-friendly and provides comprehensive OS information.
- Open the Start Menu and click on the Settings icon (gear symbol).
- Navigate to System > About.
- Under the Windows specifications section, look for Edition and Version.
- If the edition reads “Windows 11” and the version number corresponds to Windows 11 releases (e.g., 21H2 or later), your system runs Windows 11.
Using the Winver Command:
This quick command displays your Windows version and build number.
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type winver and press Enter.
- A window titled “About Windows” will appear, showing your Windows version and build.
- Look for “Version 21H2” or newer to confirm Windows 11.
Via System Information:
This method provides detailed system and OS information.
- Open the Start Menu and type System Information, then press Enter.
- Under the System Summary section, locate the “OS Name” and “Version” fields.
- “Microsoft Windows 11” as the OS Name confirms Windows 11.

Identifying Windows 11 Through Visual and Functional Features

Beyond system information, Windows 11 has distinctive interface elements and features that can help you recognize it visually:

Feature	Description	Presence in Windows 11
Centered Taskbar Icons	The Start button and app icons are centered horizontally on the taskbar by default.	Yes
New Start Menu Design	The Start Menu has a simplified layout, without live tiles, featuring pinned apps and recommended files.	Yes
Rounded Window Corners	Windows and menus have rounded, softened corners instead of sharp edges.	Yes
Widgets Panel	A dedicated widgets panel accessible from the taskbar, providing news, weather, and other personalized content.	Yes
Snap Layouts	Hovering over the maximize button shows multiple window layout options for multitasking.	Yes

If these visual cues and features are present on your system, it is a strong indication that you are running Windows 11.

Checking Windows 11 System Requirements and Compatibility

Understanding whether your system is capable of running Windows 11 can also help confirm if the installed OS version is Windows 11, especially if you upgraded recently.

Key Windows 11 minimum system requirements include:

Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC).
RAM: 4 GB or more.
Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device.
System Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.
TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
Graphics Card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
Display: >9” with HD Resolution (720p).

To check your hardware compatibility, run the PC Health Check tool provided by Microsoft. It reports if your device meets Windows 11 requirements and confirms the installed Windows version.

Using Command Prompt or PowerShell to Check Windows 11

For advanced users, command-line tools can provide detailed system version data:

Command Prompt Method:
- Open Command Prompt by typing cmd in the Start Menu and selecting it.
- Enter the command: systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS Name" /C:"OS Version"
- This displays the OS name and version. “Microsoft Windows 11” confirms Windows 11.