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How to check your Windows version, PC specs and Windows 11 readiness

Knowing what Windows you have and what your PC is made of helps when buying software, getting support, or deciding whether you can upgrade to Windows 11.

Quick fixes to try first

There is nothing to fix here. This is just about finding out information. Nothing on this page changes your computer.

Step by step: Windows version and specs

  1. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and I together.
  2. Choose System, then scroll to the bottom and click About.
  3. Under Device specifications you will see the Processor, installed RAM (memory), and whether it is 64-bit.
  4. Under Windows specifications you will see the Edition (such as Home or Pro) and Version.
  5. The laptop's make and model are often shown at the top of the same page.

Step by step: can it run Windows 11?

  1. Windows 10 users: open Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update. If your PC is eligible, a notice says so.
  2. You can also download PC Health Check from Microsoft's official website and run it. Do not use copies from other sites.
  3. Click Check now next to the Windows 11 banner. It tells you whether your PC meets the requirements, and why not if it does not.
  4. Windows 11 needs, among other things, a modern 64-bit processor, 4 GB of memory, 64 GB of storage, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Many PCs from about 2018 onwards pass.

If that did not work

  • If PC Health Check says no, do not try tricks or workarounds to force Windows 11 on, as it may not get updates reliably.
  • Free space, or add memory, if only storage or RAM is the problem. Some fixes need a professional.

When to get more help

Stop and email us if you are unsure what the results mean, the PC says it cannot run Windows 11 and you are not sure what to do, or you are planning to buy a new PC. Send us a photo of the About page and the PC Health Check result, and tell us what you use the PC for.

Did this help? If you are still stuck, email Vision Tech and tell us what you can see on the screen. Menus and button names can differ slightly between versions and makes. If something does not match, stop and ask rather than guess.

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