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) as of October 2026 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.
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings. You can also right-click Start and select Settings.
- Select System in the left pane.
- Scroll to the bottom and select About.
- At the top, read your device name and, below it, the PC’s model.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run box.
- Type msinfo32 and press Enter. You can also search Start for System Information.
- 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.
- 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 one of those lines, see our guide on how to check your BIOS version 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
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, or right-click Start and select Task Manager.
- Select Performance in the left pane.
- 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. See how to open Task Manager in Windows 11 for other ways in.
DirectX Diagnostic Tool
- Press Windows key + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter.
- If asked whether to check that your drivers are digitally signed, select Yes.
- On the System tab, read the DirectX Version at the bottom.
- Open each Display tab to see the graphics card name, its memory and driver version. Laptops with two graphics chips show two Display tabs.
- 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.
- Press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter. You can also search Start for System Configuration.
- Look through the tabs: General, Boot, Services, Startup and Tools.
- Click Cancel to close without saving anything.
The Startup tab now just links to Task Manager. To manage those apps, see how to 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.
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
How do I see my graphics card in Windows 11?
Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and select Performance > GPU. The card’s name is at the top right. For driver details, use dxdiag’s Display tab.
Is my PC 32-bit or 64-bit?
Open Settings > System > About and read System type. Windows 11 is only available in 64-bit versions. For more detail, see how to tell if your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit.
Is msconfig the same as msinfo32?
No. msinfo32 opens System Information, which only shows details about your hardware and software. msconfig opens System Configuration, which changes how Windows starts.
Do I need to install an app to check my specs?
No. Every tool here is built into Windows 11. Third-party system information apps exist, but you don’t need one for the details software requirements usually list.
What should I do with this information?
Compare it with a program’s or game’s system requirements, or give it to a support agent. If something seems wrong with your hardware, our guide on how to run system diagnostics on Windows 11 covers the built-in tests.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are checked step by step against the device or app maker’s own documentation and tested on his own devices whenever he has the hardware or software, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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