You may non have actually thought about Windows build numbers in the by unless it was part of your job to do and so. But they've become more important with Windows 10. Hither's how to discover out what build—and edition and version—of Windows x you're running.

Windows has ever used build numbers. They represent significant updates to Windows. Traditionally, most people accept referred to Windows based on the major, named version they're using—Windows Vista, 7, 8, and so on. Inside those versions, we also had service packs to refer to: Windows 7 Service Pack 1, for example.

With Windows ten, things have inverse a bit. For one thing, Microsoft claims in that location will be no more new versions of Windows—Windows 10 is hither to stay. Microsoft has also done abroad with service packs, instead moving to releasing two big builds each year and giving them names. If you actually demand to refer to a specific version of Windows, though, it's easiest to refer to it past its version number. Microsoft has hidden the version number somewhat in an try to make Windows 10 look e'er-upwards-to-appointment, just it's not hard to find.

RELATED: How Windows 10's "Builds" Are Unlike From Service Packs

Note: In addition to builds, there also are still different editions of Windows ten—Home, Professional, Enterprise, then on—with unlike features. Microsoft is also still offering both 64-bit and 32-bit versions of Windows 10, equally well.

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

The new Settings app too offers build, edition, and version information in a user-friendly class. Hit Windows+I to open up Settings. In the Settings window, navigate to Arrangement > Most.  Ringlet down a bit and yous'll run across the data yous're after.

Navigate to System > Almost and roll downwardly. You'll encounter the "Version" and "Build" numbers here.

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  • Edition. This line tells you which edition of Windows 10 you're using—Home, Professional person, Enterprise, or Didactics. 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 10 Enterprise or Education editions will crave a consummate reinstall and a special key that isn't made available to normal home Windows users.
  • Version. The version number gives you the best data on what version of Windows 10 you're running. The number is based on the appointment of the virtually recent big build release and uses a YYMM format. For case, in the screenshot above, the "1607" version tells us that the version we're running is from the 7th month (July) of 2016. That's the large Anniversary Update of Windows 10. The Fall Creators Update was released in September of 2017, and so it'south version 1709.
  • OS Build. This line shows the specific operating system build you're running. Information technology gives you sort of a timeline of pocket-sized build releases in betwixt the major version number releases. In the screenshot above, the "14393.693" build was actually the 13th build released subsequently version 1607 shipped in July, 2016. This information is somewhat less important to most people than the major version numbers, simply information technology can still help you place exactly what you're running. If you lot're curious, you can check out the whole history of versions and builds for Windows 10 on Microsoft's TechNet site.
  • System Type. This line tells y'all whether yous're using the 32-chip version of Windows x or the 64-flake version. Information technology also tells you whether your PC is compatible with the 64-bit version or not. For example, "64-chip operating organisation, x64-based processor" indicates you lot're using a 64-bit version of Windows 10 on a 64-bit processor. "32-flake operating arrangement, x64-based processor" indicates yous're using a 32-scrap version of Windows 10, simply you lot could install the 64-bit version on your hardware if y'all preferred.

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

Find Your Edition and Build Number with the Winver Dialog

You tin also use the old standby Windows Version (winver) tool to detect some of this information. Hit First, type "winver," and then press Enter. You lot could also printing Windows Key + 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 x you take. Remember, the version number is in the course YYMM—so 1607 means the 7th calendar month of 2016. A couple of lines downward, you'll run into the edition of Windows x you're using—Windows 10 Pro in our example.

The "Most Windows" box does not bear witness whether you're using a 64-bit or 32-bit version of Windows 10, merely it does requite you 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 exist of import if you're trying to determine whether Windows 10 has received a specific update, whether you have access to a characteristic available only in certain editions, or whether y'all should download the 64- or 32-bit version of a program. And, if you're super interested in keeping upward with information technology, nosotros even have a way to display your build number correct on your desktop. Enjoy!

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