How to check if Windows 11 is installed on your PC

Is your PC already running Windows 11? Here are two ways to find out.

Windows 11 check version installed
Windows 11 check version installed

Windows 11 is the first release of the new OS available starting October 5, 2021, and while it introduces an overhauled interface and new features that make it obvious that this isn’t Windows 10, it is not easy for everyone to know which version is installed on their computer.

Although the easiest way to check whether Windows 11 is already running on your computer is by simply noticing the new blue Start icon in the Taskbar or the new centered alignment for the Start menu and Taskbar, you can also check what version is installed on your laptop or desktop computer using the “winver” command and “About” settings page.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to confirm if Windows 11 is already installed on the computer.

Check if Windows 11 is installed with winver

To check whether Windows 11 is installed on your device, use these steps:

  1. Open Start on Windows 11.

  2. Search for winver and press Enter.

    Windows 11 winver

    Quick tip: You can also use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut, type the winver command, and click the OK button.
  3. Check if the “About Windows” dialog reads “Windows 11”.

If the dialog shows “Version 21H2” along with “OS Build 22000.xxx” or a higher build number, then that’s another way to confirm the device has Windows 11 installed.

Check if Windows 11 is installed with Settings

To confirm the device has Windows 11 installed with the Settings app, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on System.

  3. Click the About page on the right side.

  4. Check under the “Windows specifications” section and confirm the “Edition” is “Windows 11”.

    Windows 11 Settings check version

If the “About” page shows the 21H2 number and the build number is equal to or higher than “22000.194,” then you are running Windows 11. It is worth noting that the edition will also tell you whether the installation is using “Windows 11 Pro” or “Windows 11 Home.”

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.