How to check Windows version and build number

Knowing the exact Windows version, edition, and build number speeds up troubleshooting, patch verification, and feature eligibility checks for features such as WSL and Remote Desktop.

Windows identifies releases using both a user-facing version label and an internal build number that changes as cumulative updates are installed. The built-in winver dialog reads these details from the installed OS and displays them together in one place.

Some requirements are edition-specific (for example, Pro vs Home), while others depend on a minimum build or revision. Recording the values exactly as shown, especially the full OS Build number, avoids confusion when multiple systems share the same major version but differ by update level.

Related: How to set up and enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on Windows
Related: How to enable Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) in Windows

Steps to check Windows version and build number:

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type winver in the Run dialog.

    winver is built into Windows and does not require administrator privileges.

  3. Press Enter to open the About Windows window.
  4. Record the Version and OS Build values from the About Windows window.

    Version identifies the release (for example, 23H2) while OS Build identifies the exact patch level.

  5. Record the edition line at the top of the window when licensing or feature requirements depend on it.

    The edition line reads something like Windows 11 Pro.