How to Check System Configuration in Windows 11

To check your PC’s configuration in Windows 11, open Settings > System > About. That page lists the processor, installed RAM, system type, and Windows version. For a full report, press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter to open System Information. If you are looking for the System Configuration tool used for startup troubleshooting, type msconfig instead.

The steps below follow Microsoft’s How to check PC specs guide and its System configuration tools in Windows support article. They apply to Windows 11. Most of the same tools exist in Windows 10, but the menus can look different.

Which Tool Should You Use?

“System configuration” can mean two things: the specs of your computer, or the Windows tool with that name. Pick the row that matches what you need.

You want to know	Tool	How to open it
Processor, RAM, 32-bit or 64-bit, Windows version	Settings About page	Settings > System > About
BIOS version, motherboard, drivers, full hardware list	System Information	Windows key + R, then msinfo32
What the CPU, memory, disk, and GPU are doing right now	Task Manager	Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Graphics, sound, and DirectX details	DirectX Diagnostic Tool	Search for dxdiag
Free and used drive space	Settings Storage page	Settings > System > Storage
Startup and boot troubleshooting options	System Configuration	Windows key + R, then msconfig

None of the viewing tools change anything on your PC. Only System Configuration changes how Windows starts, so read the warning in that section before you use it.

Check Basic Specs in Settings

This is the shortest route and it needs no special permissions.

1. Press Windows key + I, or right-click Start and select Settings.
2. Select System in the left sidebar.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the list and select About.
4. Read the Device specifications section for the processor type, the amount of installed RAM, and whether Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit.
5. Read the Windows specifications section for the edition and version of Windows.

Microsoft’s Find information about your Windows device page confirms these sections, and adds that the device name and model appear at the top of the same page. This is usually all an app’s system requirements list or a support agent asks for. If you only need the Windows release, see how to tell if you have Windows 10 or 11.

Read Installed RAM in Windows 10 Settings

In Windows 10, open Start > Settings > System > About. Read Installed RAM under Device specifications, noting the displayed GB amount and any usable amount in parentheses. Microsoft’s device-information guide identifies that field. This is installed memory capacity, not free disk space or the amount an app is using now. The Task Manager and System Information sections below explain those separate readings. Opening About does not change memory settings, and a lower usable amount can reflect hardware reservations.

How to Find Your Laptop Manufacturer and Model

Press Windows + R, enter msinfo32, and select System Summary. Read System Manufacturer and System Model. Those fields identify the PC model; the editable Windows device name and processor name are different information.

You can also check the model at the top of Settings > System > About, as Microsoft’s device-information guide describes. If the model field is generic or blank, compare the label on the laptop or the manufacturer’s official support app before choosing model-specific drivers or a manual.

Find the Computer Name or Hostname

Open Settings > System > About and read Device name. For the command-line hostname, open Start, type cmd, open Command Prompt, enter hostname, and press Enter. Read the single name returned; this command does not rename the PC. Microsoft’s hostname reference applies to Windows 10 and 11. A device name is different from its manufacturer/model and its IP address.

Check Whether a Drive Is an SSD

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, choose Performance in Task Manager, and select each Disk entry. Read the disk type, such as SSD or HDD, and the model. Match its listed drive letters to the drive you are checking. Microsoft’s announcement of disk-type reporting explains why each disk has its own label.

If the type is missing or you need to distinguish SATA from NVMe, open Device Manager > Disk drives, note the exact model, and check that model’s official manufacturer specifications. SSD versus HDD identifies storage technology; it does not by itself identify the connector or prove the drive’s health. No formatting, partition change or third-party download is needed to look up the model.

Check Dedicated Graphics Memory (VRAM)

Open Task Manager > Performance and select the relevant GPU. Inspect the Dedicated GPU memory graph and capacity; with several GPUs, check each separately. The amount currently in use is different from the available capacity. Shared GPU memory uses system RAM and is not extra physical VRAM on a discrete graphics card.

Microsoft’s GPU memory explanation distinguishes dedicated and shared memory and requires a compatible WDDM 2.0 or newer driver for this display. Integrated graphics can reserve system RAM instead of having discrete VRAM. If GPU reporting is missing, identify the exact adapter with dxdiag or Device Manager and check its official specifications; do not use a combined total as the discrete VRAM figure.

For the display-adapter view in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display, select the display you want to inspect and open Display adapter properties for that display. On the Adapter tab, read Dedicated Video Memory and note the adapter name. The older Windows 10 label is Advanced display settings. HP’s Windows 11 display guide shows the advanced-display route; Intel’s graphics-memory guide explains the Adapter information fields. Close the properties window when finished; viewing these values does not increase the memory.

Read the dedicated and shared figures separately. On a hybrid laptop this properties window describes the adapter driving the selected display; use the Task Manager method above to inspect another GPU. A large Total Available Graphics Memory figure includes shared system memory and is not the discrete card’s physical VRAM. Intel also explains that some integrated drivers report a small compatibility value, such as 128 MB, as Dedicated Video Memory despite using system RAM. If a game’s requirement is unclear, compare the exact GPU model with its manufacturer’s specifications rather than assuming a reported combined total meets it.

Check Dedicated Video Memory in Windows 10

In Windows 10, open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings, select the intended display when several are connected, and open its Display adapter properties. In the Adapter tab, read the adapter name and Dedicated Video Memory. These are the historical Windows 10 controls from our original tutorial; newer layouts may shorten Advanced display settings to Advanced display. This reports the adapter serving that display, which may differ from a separate GPU used by an application. Total Available Graphics Memory can include shared system memory and is not the same as physical VRAM on a discrete card. The amount listed here is not a live free-memory reading. For another GPU or live dedicated/shared usage, use the Task Manager method in our graphics details guide. Viewing these properties does not allocate more graphics memory.

Get Full Details With System Information

System Information, also called msinfo32, is a built-in viewer. Microsoft describes it as a comprehensive view of the hardware, system components, and software environment on a Windows device.

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 on the left for the overview.
4. Expand the categories on the left when you need more detail about a specific part.

Microsoft says this tool lists your BIOS version, motherboard model, graphics, drivers, and whether virtualization is enabled. For the first of those, see how to check your BIOS version in Windows 11.

Two limits are worth knowing. Microsoft’s description of the System Information tool says that without administrator rights it may show some drivers as stopped when they are not, and that it cannot provide hardware information in Safe Mode. To open it as an administrator, type msinfo32 in the search box, right-click System Information, and select Run as administrator.

Save the report to a file

Microsoft documents a command for this. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and enter msinfo32 /report followed by a full file path, such as msinfo32 /report C:\Users\Public\specs.txt. The report is saved as a text file. Use /nfo instead of /report to save an .nfo file that opens in System Information. The app’s File menu is generally described as having an export option too, but the command is the method Microsoft’s page spells out.

Read RAM Use and Speed in Task Manager

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, choose More details if the older compact window appears, then select Performance > Memory. Read the total memory capacity, In use and Available amounts, and the Speed field. Capacity and current usage are different figures; hardware-reserved memory can make usable memory lower than the installed total. Record the speed with the unit actually displayed. Microsoft’s Task Manager update notes document changing DDR speed units from MHz to MT/s. Do not label every current readout MHz or confuse a DDR transfer rate with its clock frequency. This checks the reported configuration rather than benchmarking or increasing RAM speed. Compare it with the computer or memory maker’s specifications if a figure seems wrong; an upgrade decision also needs the model’s supported memory limits.

See Live Hardware Use in Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, or right-click Start and select Task Manager.
2. Select the Performance tab.
3. Select an item such as CPU, memory, disk, Wi-Fi, or GPU to see its details and graph.

Microsoft says the Performance tab shows CPU speed, GPU type, Wi-Fi adapter details, disk usage, and real-time graphs. It is the best place to check whether a part is under heavy load, not just what the part is. See how to open Task Manager in Windows 11 for other ways to get there.

Check Graphics and Sound With dxdiag

The DirectX Diagnostic Tool collects information about your video and sound hardware. DirectX is the set of Windows components that games use to work with that hardware.

1. Select the search box on the taskbar and type dxdiag.
2. Select dxdiag from the results.
3. If you are asked whether to check that your drivers are digitally signed, Microsoft recommends selecting Yes.
4. Select the System tab to see the DirectX version under System Information.
5. Select Save All Information if a support person asks for a copy.

These steps come from Microsoft’s Which version of DirectX is on your PC? page. Microsoft notes that the tool is especially useful for confirming whether graphics and drivers meet a game’s requirements.

Check Your Specs From the Command Line

Two built-in commands print the configuration as text, which is handy when you want to copy it.

• Command Prompt: type systeminfo and press Enter. Microsoft’s systeminfo reference says it displays operating system configuration, security information, product ID, and hardware properties such as RAM, disk space, and network cards.
• PowerShell: type Get-ComputerInfo and press Enter. Microsoft describes it as returning a consolidated set of system and operating system properties.

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

Check Storage Space

The About page does not show drive space. Right-click Start, select Settings, then System, then Storage. If you have more than one drive, Microsoft says to select Advanced storage settings > Storage used on other drives to see the available space on all of them at once.

The System Configuration Tool (msconfig)

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

Warning: Microsoft cautions that incorrect settings here can make Windows unstable or stop it from starting correctly, and recommends creating a backup of your system before making changes. Opening the tool to look is fine. Do not change anything unless you know why and how to reverse it.

1. Press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter. You can also search Start for System Configuration.
2. Look at the tabs: General, Boot, Services, Startup, and Tools.
3. Select Cancel to close the window without saving anything.

Microsoft notes that the Services tab lets you disable services that might be causing problems, and that the Startup tab now sends you to Task Manager. To manage those apps, see how to change startup programs in Windows 11.

The most common use is a clean boot, which starts Windows with only essential drivers and startup programs so you can find a background software conflict. Follow Microsoft’s clean boot instructions exactly, keep track of what you disable, and use the reset steps on that page to return to a normal startup afterward. Microsoft also says to change the advanced boot options only with guidance from one of its support engineers.

Other Windows Configuration Tools

Microsoft’s support article lists more built-in tools. Press Windows key + R, type the command, and press Enter.

• Computer Management (compmgmt.msc): manage disks, services, devices, shared folders, and users. You can also reach it by opening Administrative Tools in Windows 11, now named Windows Tools.
• Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc): view system, security, and application event logs.
• Control Panel (control): older settings that Microsoft says are being moved to the Settings app.
• Advanced System Settings (SystemPropertiesAdvanced): environment variables, performance settings, and user profiles. Microsoft advises caution here because incorrect settings can affect stability.

Troubleshooting

• You cannot find About: it is the last item on the System page in Settings, so scroll all the way down. Searching Settings for About also works.
• System Information shows drivers as stopped: close it and reopen it with Run as administrator, as described above.
• Hardware details are missing: check whether the PC is in Safe Mode. Microsoft says System Information cannot provide hardware information there. Restart normally and try again.
• A tool will not open or asks for a password: on a work or school PC, your organization may restrict these tools or require an administrator account. Ask your IT department instead of trying to get around the restriction.
• Installed RAM shows a lower usable amount: the About page can list a usable figure next to the installed amount. Part of the memory can be reserved for hardware such as built-in graphics.
• You changed something in msconfig and Windows now starts differently: open msconfig again, select Normal startup on the General tab, select OK, and restart. Microsoft’s clean boot page lists the full reset steps.

Identify the Processor’s Generation

Open Settings > System > About and copy the complete Processor name, or read Processor in msinfo32 > System Summary. Look up that exact model on the manufacturer’s official specification page. Intel’s newer Core and Core Ultra series use naming schemes different from older Core i5/i7 generation numbers, so one digit rule does not apply to every CPU. Use Intel’s naming guide or AMD’s model specifications to verify the family, series and architecture. This identifies the processor; it does not establish the laptop’s purchase date or overall performance.

Identify Your Graphics Card in Windows

Right-click Start, select Device Manager, and expand Display adapters. Record every adapter listed: a laptop may have both integrated and discrete graphics. To inspect the diagnostic name, press Windows + R, enter dxdiag, select OK, and open each Display tab. Read Name under Device. Microsoft documents both checks. If the name is Microsoft Basic Display Adapter, that identifies the generic driver rather than reliably identifying the exact GPU hardware. Check the PC maker’s specifications or appropriate manufacturer driver before treating that label as the card’s model. These inspection steps work in Windows 10 and 11.

Read CPU Usage, Speed and Core Counts

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Expand More details if an older compact layout appears, then open Performance > CPU. The CPU name identifies the processor; Utilization and the graph show its current reported load, while Speed changes with workload and power management. Read Cores and Logical processors for the counts Windows detects; logical processors are not necessarily the same as physical cores. To inspect the separate logical-processor graphs, right-click the graph and choose Change graph to > Logical processors, as described in Microsoft’s Task Manager guide. Compare idle activity with activity during the task you are investigating. One short spike does not establish a fault or predict the CPU’s performance in every application.

Inspect a Graphics Adapter’s Driver and Hardware ID

To check more than the graphics card’s name, right-click Start > Device Manager, expand Display adapters, and double-click the intended adapter. On Driver, read the provider, date and version. For its identifiers, select Details, choose Hardware Ids in the Property list and inspect the displayed values. Check each adapter separately on a computer with integrated and dedicated graphics. You can also press Windows+R, enter dxdiag, and inspect the Display/Render tabs for the device name. A generic Microsoft Basic Display Adapter entry may mean the manufacturer’s driver is missing; identifying a device does not itself update or reinstall its driver.

Read Installed and Usable RAM in System Information

Press Windows+R, enter msinfo32 and press Enter. Select System Summary and read Installed Physical Memory (RAM) for the installed amount. Total Physical Memory describes the amount available to Windows after reservations; Available Physical Memory changes with current use. These are different from virtual memory or disk space. Compare the installed amount with Settings > System > About, using the steps above. A hardware-reserved amount can explain a lower usable figure; viewing these fields does not change RAM or the page file.

Identify Whether Your RAM Is DDR3, DDR4 or DDR5

Task Manager shows memory use, speed and form factor, but it does not reliably identify the DDR generation on every PC. First use the computer manufacturer and model found above to check the exact model’s official specifications. For a firmware inventory, open PowerShell and enter this read-only command: Get-CimInstance Win32_PhysicalMemory | Select-Object DeviceLocator, Manufacturer, PartNumber, SMBIOSMemoryType. Review each returned memory device. Microsoft documents these properties; SMBIOSMemoryType contains the raw firmware type value, while the similarly named MemoryType property uses a different mapping.

For SMBIOSMemoryType, decimal 24 means DDR3, 26 means DDR4 and 34 means DDR5, as defined in the SMBIOS memory-device table. Other values can describe other technologies, including LPDDR; do not assume that every result is one of these three. If the value or part number is blank, unknown or inconsistent with the official PC specification, look up the exact reported part number on the memory manufacturer’s site or ask the PC manufacturer. System Information’s RAM capacity and Task Manager’s speed alone do not prove DDR type. Before buying an upgrade, check the PC’s supported capacity, DDR generation, physical format and whether its memory is replaceable; identifying installed RAM does not establish upgrade compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I see my graphics card in Windows 11?

Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and select the Performance tab, which Microsoft says shows the GPU type. For more detail, search for dxdiag and open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.

Is my PC 32-bit or 64-bit?

Open Settings > System > About and look under Device specifications. 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 displays details about your hardware and software. msconfig opens System Configuration, which changes how Windows starts and is meant for troubleshooting.

Does checking my specs change anything on my PC?

No. The About page, System Information, Task Manager’s Performance tab, dxdiag, and the systeminfo command only read information. System Configuration is the one tool in this guide that can change settings, and only if you select Apply or OK after changing an option.

How do I share my PC specs with a support person?

For graphics and sound problems, open dxdiag and select Save All Information, which Microsoft describes as an easily shared format. For a general report, use the msinfo32 /report command described above. Both create a text file you can attach to an email. Read the file first, because it includes your computer’s name.

Do I need to install an app to check my specs?

No. Every tool in this guide is built into Windows 11. Third-party system information apps exist, but you do not need one for the details that software requirements usually list.

Related Guides

Once you know your specs, these guides cover the most common next steps:

• How to find the serial number on Windows 11
• How to run system diagnostics on Windows 11