Many times, when you look for guides and how-to instructions for your computer, one of the first things you need to know is what version of Windows you actually have. You don’t need computer help to find out the answer to this question either.
This information can be very important since you may need to use it whenever you wish to purchase or download software and whenever you read and use tutorials. Additionally, many devices like printers will use drivers tailored for a specific type of Windows. Again, if you don’t know, you won’t know which to download.
So, how can you find your own Windows information without computer help?
Windows 8 or 8.1
The main difference between these two versions is that 8.1 has a start button on the bottom left of the screen while Windows 8 does not. If you think you have Windows 8 or 8.1, then you should be able to follow these directions:
- Hover your mouse to the far right of the screen until you see a charm bar.
- Choose Settings from that bar. Then choose Control Panel.
- Click on System and Security.
- Click on See the Name of this Computer
You should see Windows edition as well as some information about your computer. If those instructions didn’t work, then you may have an older version of Windows.
Windows 7 and Windows Vista
If you have Windows 7, then you will have a standard start menu. You will be able to get to the information through these steps:
- Click on the Start Menu and choose Control Panel.
- Click on System.
When you do this, you will see a list of your computer credentials with the Windows version at the top. Windows Vista is only slightly different from Windows 7, so you should be able to find your information with these same steps. If you have Windows Vista, it will show up as Windows 6 in the details.
Windows XP
If you happen to have Windows XP, then look for the start menu that has the Windows logo as well as the word, Start at the bottom left corner of the screen. Click on the start menu and then choose control panel. From there, you will follow the same steps to get to system so that you can locate computer details. In this case, if you have Windows XP, the name listed will be Windows 5.1.
Knowing your version of Windows can be so important for many different reasons, including downloading drivers, using how-to articles, and installing software. Following these easy steps, you can find out the version of Windows that you have on your own computer, and you can do so without any need for computer help.
However, if you discover that there is something wrong with your machine, and you don’t know how to repair it, or if you just need assistance, then contact computer-help.com. We offer remote support for a variety of different issues and we look forward to talking with you today.
