You may not have really idea about Windows build numbers in the past unless it was function of your task to do so. But they've go more than of import with Windows 10. Here's how to detect out what build—and edition and version—of Windows 10 yous're running.

Windows has always used build numbers. They represent significant updates to Windows. Traditionally, most people have referred to Windows based on the major, named version they're using—Windows Vista, 7, 8, and and then on. Within those versions, we also had service packs to refer to: Windows seven Service Pack ane, for example.

With Windows x, things have changed a bit. For one thing, Microsoft claims there volition be no more than 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 yr and giving them names. If yous actually need to refer to a specific version of Windows, though, information technology'south easiest to refer to information technology by its version number. Microsoft has hidden the version number somewhat in an endeavour to brand Windows 10 wait always-upward-to-date, simply it's not hard to detect.

RELATED: How Windows x'south "Builds" Are Different From Service Packs

Annotation: In addition to builds, at that place likewise are still different editions of Windows 10—Dwelling house, Professional person, Enterprise, and so on—with different features. Microsoft is besides however offering both 64-bit and 32-fleck versions of Windows 10, also.

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

The new Settings app also offers build, edition, and version information in a convenient form. Hit Windows+I to open Settings. In the Settings window, navigate to System > Most.  Scroll downwards a fleck and you'll run into the data you're after.

Navigate to Arrangement > About and whorl downward. You'll see the "Version" and "Build" numbers here.

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

  • Edition. This line tells you which edition of Windows 10 y'all're using—Dwelling house, Professional person, Enterprise, or Instruction. If you're using Home and you'd similar to upgrade to Professional person, you can upgrade to the Professional edition from within Windows 10. Switching to Windows 10 Enterprise or Education editions will require a complete reinstall and a special key that isn't fabricated available to normal home Windows users.
  • Version. The version number gives you the best information on what version of Windows 10 you're running. The number is based on the engagement of the most recent large build release and uses a YYMM format. For example, in the screenshot to a higher place, the "1607" version tells us that the version we're running is from the 7th calendar month (July) of 2016. That's the big Ceremony Update of Windows x. The Fall Creators Update was released in September of 2017, and then information technology's version 1709.
  • Bone Build. This line shows the specific operating system build you're running. It gives you sort of a timeline of minor build releases in between the major version number releases. In the screenshot above, the "14393.693" build was actually the 13th build released later version 1607 shipped in July, 2016. This data is somewhat less important to near people than the major version numbers, simply it can even so help y'all identify exactly what you're running. If you're curious, yous tin can check out the whole history of versions and builds for Windows ten on Microsoft'southward TechNet site.
  • System Type. This line tells y'all whether yous're using the 32-bit version of Windows 10 or the 64-fleck version. It also tells you whether your PC is uniform with the 64-scrap version or non. For example, "64-bit operating system, x64-based processor" indicates yous're using a 64-bit version of Windows x on a 64-flake processor. "32-bit operating system, x64-based processor" indicates you're using a 32-scrap version of Windows x, but you could install the 64-flake version on your hardware if you preferred.

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

Find Your Edition and Build Number with the Winver Dialog

Yous tin can likewise use the former standby Windows Version (winver) tool to notice some of this information. Hitting Start, type "winver," and then press Enter. You could also press Windows Central + R, blazon "winver" into the Run dialog, and press Enter.

The 2d line in the "Nigh Windows" box tells you which version and build of Windows 10 you have. Call up, the version number is in the course YYMM—so 1607 means the 7th calendar month of 2016. A couple of lines down, you'll see the edition of Windows 10 you're using—Windows 10 Pro in our example.

The "About Windows" box does non show whether you're using a 64-chip or 32-fleck version of Windows ten, merely it does give yous a quicker way to check your version and build than navigating through the Settings app.

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All this data—edition, version, build number, and build type—tin can be important if yous're trying to determine whether Windows 10 has received a specific update, whether you have access to a feature available merely in certain editions, or whether you lot should download the 64- or 32-chip version of a plan. And, if y'all're super interested in keeping upwards with information technology, nosotros even have a way to display your build number right on your desktop. Relish!

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