How to Check System Configuration in Windows 11

To check your PC’s configuration in Windows 11, open Settings > System > About. That page shows the processor, installed RAM, system type (64-bit or ARM) and Windows version. For a complete hardware and software list, press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter to open System Information. If you want the System Configuration tool used for startup troubleshooting, type msconfig instead.

These steps apply to Windows 11 (24H2 and 25H2) and follow Microsoft’s system configuration tools article. Windows 10 has the same tools, though some Settings pages look different.

Which Tool to Use

“System configuration” can mean your computer’s specs or the Windows tool with that name. Pick the one that matches what you need:

You want to know	Tool	How to open it
Processor, RAM, 64-bit or not, Windows version	Settings About page	Settings > System > About
Full hardware list, BIOS version, model, drivers	System Information	Windows key + R, then msinfo32
What the CPU, memory, disk and GPU are doing now	Task Manager	Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Graphics card, sound and DirectX version	DirectX Diagnostic Tool	Windows key + R, then dxdiag
Free and used drive space	Settings Storage page	Settings > System > Storage
Startup and boot troubleshooting	System Configuration	Windows key + R, then msconfig

Every tool except System Configuration only shows information. Nothing changes on your PC when you open them.

Check Basic Specs in Settings

This is the quickest route, and it’s usually all an app’s system requirements or a support agent will ask for.

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. You can also right-click Start and select Settings.
2. Select System in the left pane.
3. Scroll to the bottom and select About.
4. At the top, read your device name and, below it, the PC’s model.
5. Under Device specifications, read Processor, Installed RAM and System type. System type tells you whether Windows is 64-bit, and on some PCs whether it runs on an ARM-based processor.
6. Under Windows specifications, read the Edition (such as Home or Pro), Version (such as 25H2) and OS build.

Microsoft’s guide to finding information about your Windows device lists the same sections. Click Copy next to either section to paste the details into an email or support chat.

If you only need to know whether your PC runs Windows 10 or 11, the Edition line or the winver box answers it in seconds.

If Installed RAM shows a smaller “usable” amount in parentheses, part of the memory is reserved for hardware such as built-in graphics. That’s normal.

Get Full Details With System Information

System Information (msinfo32) is a built-in viewer that lists your hardware, drivers, services and software in one place.

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run box.
2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter. You can also search Start for System Information.
3. Select System Summary at the top of the left pane. The right pane lists the operating system, System Manufacturer, System Model, Processor, BIOS Version/Date, BaseBoard Product, Installed Physical Memory (RAM) and more.

4. Expand Hardware Resources, Components or Software Environment on the left for details about a specific part, such as Components > Display for your graphics adapter or Components > Storage > Disks for your drives.

For more about the BIOS Version/Date line, here is how to check your BIOS version in Windows 11.

For the hardware serial number that warranty and repair forms ask for, here is how to find your PC serial number in Windows 11.

Microsoft’s System Information overview notes two limits. Without administrator rights, it can show some drivers as stopped when they’re running, so search Start for System Information, right-click it, and select Run as administrator for accurate driver details. It also can’t show hardware information in Safe Mode.

Save the Report to a File

To share the full report, open the File menu in System Information and select Export, then choose a name and folder. It saves as a text file. You can also do this from an administrator Command Prompt with msinfo32 /report C:\Users\Public\specs.txt. Read the file before you send it, since it includes your computer name and user details.

See Graphics and Live Hardware Use

Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, or right-click Start and select Task Manager.
2. Select Performance in the left pane.
3. Select CPU, Memory, Disk, Wi-Fi or Ethernet, or GPU to see its name, details and a live graph.

The CPU page shows the processor name, speed, cores and logical processors. Memory shows the total, how much is in use, and the speed. Each Disk page shows whether it’s an SSD or HDD, and the GPU page shows your graphics card and its dedicated memory. Task Manager is the best place to see whether a part is under heavy load, not just what it is. Here are other ways to open Task Manager in Windows 11.

If the Committed value on the Memory page nears its limit, you can adjust virtual memory in Windows 11.

DirectX Diagnostic Tool

1. Press Windows key + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter.
2. If asked whether to check that your drivers are digitally signed, select Yes.
3. On the System tab, read the DirectX Version at the bottom.
4. Open each Display tab to see the graphics card name, its memory and driver version. Laptops with two graphics chips show two Display tabs.

5. Select Save All Information if a support person asks for a copy.

Microsoft’s DirectX version guide recommends this tool for checking whether your graphics and drivers meet a game’s requirements.

Storage Space

The About page doesn’t show drive space. Open Settings > System > Storage to see used and free space on your main drive. If you have more than one drive, select Advanced storage settings > Storage used on other drives.

Print Your Specs as Text

Two built-in commands list your configuration as text you can copy:

• Command Prompt: type systeminfo and press Enter. Microsoft’s systeminfo reference says it shows the operating system configuration, product ID and hardware properties such as RAM, disk space and network cards.
• PowerShell: right-click Start, select Terminal, type Get-ComputerInfo, and press Enter for a longer list of system and Windows properties.

Both only read information. The output can take a few seconds to appear.

Use the System Configuration Tool (msconfig)

System Configuration isn’t a specs viewer. Microsoft describes it as a utility for troubleshooting Windows startup, with options to turn startup services and other software on or off.

Warning: Microsoft cautions that wrong settings here can make Windows unstable or stop it from starting. Looking is safe, but don’t change anything unless you know how to undo it.

1. Press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter. You can also search Start for System Configuration.
2. Look through the tabs: General, Boot, Services, Startup and Tools.

3. Click Cancel to close without saving anything.

The Startup tab now just links to Task Manager. To manage those apps, change startup programs in Windows 11. The most common reason to change anything in msconfig is a clean boot, which starts Windows with only Microsoft services so you can find a software conflict. Follow Microsoft’s clean boot instructions and use the steps at the end of that page to return to a normal startup.

The Boot tab also has a Safe boot option. To learn how it works and how to turn it off, read how to start Windows in Safe Mode while booting.

Troubleshooting

You can’t find About. It’s the last item on the System page in Settings. You can also type About in the Settings search box.

System Information shows drivers as stopped. Close it and reopen it with Run as administrator.

Hardware details are missing in System Information. Check whether the PC started in Safe Mode. Restart normally and try again.

A tool won’t open or asks for a password. On a work or school PC, your organization may restrict these tools. Ask your IT department.

Windows starts differently after you changed msconfig. Open msconfig again, select Normal startup on the General tab, click OK, and restart.

Frequently Asked Questions