You may not have really thought about Windows build numbers in the past unless it was function of your job to do and then. Only they've become more of import with Windows x. Here's how to observe out what build—and edition and version—of Windows 10 you lot're running.

Windows has always used build numbers. They represent meaning updates to Windows. Traditionally, near people have referred to Windows based on the major, named version they're using—Windows Vista, vii, viii, and then on. Within those versions, we besides had service packs to refer to: Windows seven Service Pack ane, for instance.

With Windows 10, things accept changed a fleck. For ane matter, Microsoft claims there volition exist no more new versions of Windows—Windows 10 is here to stay. Microsoft has also done away with service packs, instead moving to releasing two big builds each year and giving them names. If you lot really demand to refer to a specific version of Windows, though, information technology'southward easiest to refer to it by its version number. Microsoft has hidden the version number somewhat in an attempt to brand Windows 10 look always-up-to-appointment, but it's not hard to observe.

RELATED: How Windows ten's "Builds" Are Dissimilar From Service Packs

Notation: In addition to builds, there also are however unlike editions of Windows x—Home, Professional, Enterprise, and so on—with different features. Microsoft is also still offering both 64-bit and 32-chip versions of Windows 10, besides.

Find Your Edition, Build Number, and More with the Settings App

The new Settings app besides offers build, edition, and version information in a user-friendly grade. Striking Windows+I to open Settings. In the Settings window, navigate to System > Well-nigh.  Scroll downward a bit and yous'll see the information y'all're after.

Navigate to System > About and scroll downwardly. You'll see the "Version" and "Build" numbers here.

RELATED: How to Upgrade From Windows 10 Home to Windows x Professional

  • Edition. This line tells you which edition of Windows ten you're using—Home, Professional, Enterprise, or Education. If you're using Home and you'd like to upgrade to Professional, you tin upgrade to the Professional edition from within Windows ten. Switching to Windows ten Enterprise or Education editions will crave a complete reinstall and a special central that isn't made available to normal habitation Windows users.
  • Version. The version number gives you the best information on what version of Windows ten you're running. The number is based on the date of the most recent large build release and uses a YYMM format. For example, in the screenshot above, the "1607" version tells u.s.a. that the version nosotros're running is from the 7th month (July) of 2016. That'south the big Anniversary Update of Windows 10. The Fall Creators Update was released in September of 2017, so information technology's version 1709.
  • Os Build. This line shows the specific operating organisation build y'all're running. Information technology gives yous sort of a timeline of minor build releases in between the major version number releases. In the screenshot to a higher place, the "14393.693" build was actually the 13th build released after version 1607 shipped in July, 2016. This information is somewhat less important to most people than the major version numbers, but it tin still help you lot identify exactly what you're running. If you're curious, you tin check out the whole history of versions and builds for Windows 10 on Microsoft's TechNet site.
  • System Type. This line tells you whether yous're using the 32-chip version of Windows ten or the 64-bit version. Information technology also tells you lot whether your PC is uniform with the 64-bit version or not. For example, "64-bit operating system, x64-based processor" indicates you're using a 64-flake version of Windows x on a 64-fleck processor. "32-bit operating system, x64-based processor" indicates yous're using a 32-bit version of Windows 10, but you could install the 64-flake version on your hardware if you preferred.

RELATED: What's the Difference Between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows?

Find Your Edition and Build Number with the Winver Dialog

You can likewise utilise the quondam standby Windows Version (winver) tool to find some of this information. Hitting Starting time, type "winver," so press Enter. You lot could too press Windows Central + R, type "winver" into the Run dialog, and press Enter.

The second line in the "About Windows" box tells you lot which version and build of Windows ten y'all have. Remember, the version number is in the grade YYMM—so 1607 means the seventh calendar month of 2016. A couple of lines downward, you'll come across the edition of Windows x you lot're using—Windows x Pro in our case.

The "About Windows" box does not show whether you're using a 64-bit or 32-bit version of Windows 10, but it does give y'all a quicker mode to check your version and build than navigating through the Settings app.

RELATED: Stupid Geek Tricks: How to Display the Windows Version on the Desktop

All this information—edition, version, build number, and build type—can be important if you lot're trying to determine whether Windows x has received a specific update, whether you have access to a feature available only in sure editions, or whether you should download the 64- or 32-bit version of a program. And, if y'all're super interested in keeping up with it, we even have a way to display your build number right on your desktop. Enjoy!

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