Tech Deep Dive

How to see your pc’s operating system

Discover how to see your PC’s operating system, your Windows version, and whether it’s 32- or 64-bit quickly and easily.

pc’s operating system

24 December 2025

Table of contents

  • What Is an operating system and why it matters
  • How to see the operating system via settings
  • How to see the operating system with command prompt
  • How to see the operating system via “run”
  • How to check which Windows version is installed
  • How to see whether Windows is 32- or 64-bit
  • How to see the OS on a company PC
  • How to see the operating system without signing in to Windows
  • How to see the OS on a Mac or Linux PC
  • How to know if the operating system is genuine and up to date

Have you ever wondered how to see the operating system of the PC you’re using? Or have you tried to install a program and read among the requirements “Windows 11 64-bit only,” without knowing which version you actually have? It’s a much more common question than you might think and knowing the answer can help you avoid errors, incompatibilities, or security issues.

In this article, we’ll find out how to see the operating system on my PC, step by step, both through Windows Settings and with more advanced tools like Command Prompt. We’ll also analyze how to see the operating system on your own PC if it’s a company machine, an older device, or has third-party software installed. Finally, we’ll look at how to interpret System Information to understand whether you’re on a 32-bit or 64-bit version and what type of processor is installed.

What Is an operating system and why it matters

Before learning how to check your PC’s operating system, it’s essential to understand what an operating system really is and why it’s the central element of any computer, smartphone, or server.

An operating system (often abbreviated OS, from Operating System) is the base software that coordinates and manages all the computer’s physical and logical resources.

It’s the link between hardware (physical components like CPU, RAM, motherboard, drives, keyboard, monitor) and application software (programs, browsers, video games, text editors, etc.).

In other words, it’s what allows the computer to “work” and execute complex instructions without the user needing to understand machine code.

The main families of operating systems

There are several families of operating systems, each with its own characteristics and goals:

  • Windows
    The most widespread on desktop PCs, developed by Microsoft. The Windows versions (from Windows 7 up to Windows 11) have made computing accessible to everyone thanks to their intuitive graphical interface and broad software compatibility.
  • macOS
    Created by Apple, it powers MacBooks and iMacs. It’s appreciated for stability, security, and integration with iPhone and iPad devices.
  • Linux
    An open-source system used by professionals, developers, and enterprise servers. Popular distributions (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora) offer full control and strong security.
  • ChromeOS and Android
    Based on the Linux kernel, focused respectively on web-centric computing and mobile devices.
  • Other specialized OSs
    Like FreeBSD or Solaris, are used in scientific, industrial, or server-critical contexts.

Knowing which operating system you’re using helps you manage drivers, updates, and compatible software correctly.

Security and data management

From a cyber security perspective, knowing your operating system also means understanding the risks you face.

Every Windows version or any other OS can have vulnerabilities that are fixed only through targeted updates.

Knowing whether your Windows PC is up to date or if you’re on an obsolete build allows you to act to prevent attacks such as:

  • Exploits that take advantage of system flaws;
  • Malware that takes control of the device;
  • Phishing that leverages compatibility bugs in outdated browsers.

Example
An out-of-date system may not support modern security protocols like TLS 1.3, compromising secure web browsing.

In addition, some security settings such as Windows Defender, BitLocker Drive Encryption, or User Account Control (UAC) behave differently depending on the OS version.

That’s why, in corporate environments, it’s essential to know precisely which release you’re working on.

Driver and device compatibility

Every hardware component (printer, webcam, graphics card, scanner) communicates with the operating system via drivers.

If a driver isn’t compatible with the Windows version in use, the device may not work or may generate errors.

Knowing the exact edition of the operating system allows you to:

  • download the correct driver from the manufacturer’s site;
  • avoid system conflicts;
  • improve PC stability.

Example
A driver for Windows 10 32-bit cannot be installed on a Windows 11 64-bit system—even if it’s the same device.

Therefore, knowing which Windows you have installed is the foundation for keeping your computer efficient and secure.

Practical example: installing security software

Imagine you want to install a new antivirus or security suite to protect your personal data.

During installation, the program might ask you to specify the Windows version and whether the system is 32- or 64-bit.

If you don’t know this information, you risk downloading the wrong software version, which may not start or could reduce performance.

Knowing how to correctly identify your operating system saves time and prevents technical issues.

How to see the operating system via settings

The simplest way to know which version of Windows you have is to use Windows Settings, accessible from the Start menu.

1. Open the start menu

Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner (or press the Windows key on the keyboard).
In the search field, type “Settings” and select the matching entry.

2. Go to “system” and then “about”

In the Settings window, select System.
Scroll to the bottom and click About.

3. Read the operating system version

You’ll now see a screen with several entries.
Under Windows specifications, you’ll find the installed Windows edition (e.g., Windows 11 Pro, Windows 10 Home, etc.) and the build number.

In Device specifications, you’ll see System type, which indicates whether the OS is 64-bit or 32-bit, and the processor type.

Example screen:

Edition: Windows 11 Pro

Version: 23H2

OS build: 22631.3880

System type: 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

This method is quick and intuitive and doesn’t require any technical skills. It’s perfect if you simply want to know which Windows you have installed and whether your Windows PC is up to date.

How to see the operating system with command prompt

If you prefer a more technical approach or you often work on multiple computers you can get the same information through Command Prompt, a tool available in all Windows versions.

1. Open command prompt

Search for “Command Prompt” in the Start menu search bar and select it.
You can also type cmd and press Enter.

2. Type the command

Enter the following command and press Enter:

systeminfo

After a few seconds, the full operating system version will be displayed, along with details such as:

  • computer name;
  • operating system version and build;
  • system manufacturer;
  • system type (x64 or x86);
  • BIOS version;
  • installed physical memory.

Example output:

OS Name: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro

OS Version: 10.0.19045 N/A Build 19045

OS Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation

System Type: x64-based PC

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8650U CPU @ 1.90GHz

This procedure is very useful when you need to quickly copy system information for technical support or to verify software requirements.

How to see the operating system via “run”

Another alternative is to use the Run dialog, available in all Windows versions.

1. Open the run window

Press Windows + R.

2. Enter the command

In the box that appears, type:

winver

and press Enter.

A window will appear showing the Windows version in use (e.g., Windows 11 version 23H2, build 22631).

This option is ideal if you want to quickly check the OS version without going through Settings.

How to check which Windows version is installed

Windows versions are distinguished not only by number (Windows 7, 8, 10, 11) but also by edition (Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education).

Each edition offers different features:

  • Windows Home is designed for home use;
  • Windows Pro includes advanced networking and encryption tools;
  • Enterprise and Education are designed for large organizations.

How to know which version you have
In the About panel under Windows specifications, it clearly indicates whether it’s Home or Pro, along with the build number.

Knowing which version is installed is also useful to verify whether you’re receiving regular security updates or if you need to upgrade to a more recent version.

command prompt

How to see whether Windows is 32- or 64-bit

A key technical detail is the distinction between a 32-bit and 64-bit version.

This value indicates how the operating system handles memory and processor information. 64-bit systems are more modern, support more RAM, and deliver better performance.

Check via settings

  • Go to Settings > System > About.
  • Find System type: it will say “64-bit operating system” or “32-bit operating system.”

Check via command prompt

In Command Prompt, you can type:

wmic os get osarchitecture

The result will be:

64-bit

or

32-bit

Interpretation

  • If you have a 64-bit processor but a 32-bit operating system, you can reinstall Windows in the 64-bit version to make full use of the hardware resources.
  • If your processor is only 32-bit, you won’t be able to install more modern Windows versions.

How to see the OS on a company PC

In corporate environments, PCs are often managed by network administrators and joined to a domain. You can still find out which operating system is installed using one of the procedures above, but with a few differences:

  • you may not have full access to Windows Settings;
  • some commands in Command Prompt might be restricted;
  • for detailed information, you may need to use third-party tools approved by the administrator.

Common tools include:

  • Speccy (Piriform), which shows the operating system, CPU, RAM, motherboard, and graphics card;
  • CPU-Z, useful for analyzing the processor type and architecture;
  • Belarc Advisor, which generates a complete system profile with the Windows version and installed patches.

How to see the operating system without signing in to Windows

Sometimes the operating system won’t boot properly, or the computer is locked. In these cases, you can still identify the Windows version in use without fully signing in.

1. Startup screen

During boot, the Windows logo often indicates the version (e.g., “Windows 10”).
Alternatively, you can enter the BIOS/UEFI (press F2, F10, or Del at startup) and check the System Information section.

2. Installation media

By inserting a USB flash drive or installation DVD, the initial setup screen will show the detected Windows version.

How to see the OS on a Mac or Linux PC

Even though this article focuses on Windows PCs, it’s useful to know that each OS has equivalent methods:

macOS

  • Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner.
  • Select About This Mac.
  • You’ll find the macOS version (e.g., Ventura 14.0) and the chip type (Intel or Apple Silicon).

Linux

Open the terminal and type:

cat /etc/os-release

Or:

uname -a

You’ll get the distribution name (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora) and the kernel version.

How to know if the operating system is genuine and up to date

Knowing the Windows version you’re using isn’t enough: it’s equally important to make sure it’s genuine and up to date.

Check the license

Go to Settings > System > Activation.
If you see “Windows is activated with a digital license,” the copy is genuine.

Check for updates

Go to Settings > Windows Update and ensure the system is updated with the latest security patches.

An out-of-date operating system can be vulnerable to cyberattacks, malware, and bugs.

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