- The quick check: Settings, About
- Where to find each spec
- Check your graphics card
- Check your RAM in more detail
- Check your storage
- Will a game run on my PC?
- More detail if you need it
- Specs on a Mac
- Copy your specs to share
- Keep the PC healthy
- Check your Windows version and updates
- Specs to note before selling a PC
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To check your PC specs on Windows 11 or 10, press the Windows key and Pause, or open Settings, System, About. Under Device specifications you'll see the processor, installed RAM and system type. For the graphics card, open Task Manager and click the GPU section on the Performance page.
You need your PC's specs to see whether a game or program will run, to buy the right memory upgrade, to sell the computer or to answer a support question. Windows keeps most of it on one page, and the rest is a click away in Task Manager. Here's where to find each part, with no downloads needed.
The quick check: Settings, About
- Press Windows key + Pause, or right-click Start and choose Settings, System, About.
- Under Device specifications, read the processor, installed RAM and system type.
- Under Windows specifications, read the edition (Home or Pro) and version.
The device name and model appear at the top of the same page. Microsoft also points out the system type line, which tells you whether you're running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows; it matters when a download offers both.
Where to find each spec
| Part | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | Settings, System, About, Device specifications |
| RAM | Same page, Installed RAM; Task Manager, Performance, Memory for speed and slots |
| Graphics card (GPU) | Task Manager, Performance, GPU |
| Storage | Settings, System, Storage |
| Windows version | Settings, System, About, Windows specifications |
| Model number | Top of the About page, or a sticker under a laptop |
Check your graphics card
The About page doesn't list the graphics card, which is the spec gamers need most. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, click Performance and select GPU. The card's name is at the top right, with its dedicated memory below the graph. If you see two GPUs, a laptop has a built-in chip for everyday work and a separate card for games; the separate one is the one games care about.
Check your RAM in more detail
Settings shows how much memory is installed. For more, open Task Manager, Performance, Memory. You'll see the speed, how many slots are used out of how many, and how much is in use right now. The slots line is the one to check before buying an upgrade, because it tells you whether you can add a stick or need to replace one.
Check your storage
Open Settings, System, Storage to see how much space you've used and what's using it. If you have more than one drive, Microsoft's tip is to choose Advanced storage settings, then Storage used on other drives, to see them all at once. Task Manager's Performance page also shows each drive and whether it's an SSD or HDD, which explains a lot about how quickly a PC starts.
Will a game run on my PC?
Compare three things with the game's minimum and recommended requirements: the processor, the RAM and the graphics card. The GPU usually decides it. Then check free storage, because modern games are large. Don't trust websites that offer to scan your PC with a download; the steps above give you everything you need. If a launcher such as Discord crashes on a lower-spec machine, my guide to Discord crashing on PC helps.
More detail if you need it
For a full hardware report, Microsoft points to its System configuration tools. The most useful is System Information: press Windows key and R, type msinfo32 and press Enter. It lists the motherboard, BIOS version and much more. Support staff often ask for this when diagnosing a problem.
Keep a screenshot of the System Information summary somewhere safe. If the PC ever won't start, you'll still know exactly what's inside it.
Specs on a Mac
If you're on a Mac, open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac for the chip, memory and serial number, then More Info for storage and graphics.
Copy your specs to share
On the Settings About page, each section has a Copy button. Click it to copy the details and paste them into an email or support chat. It's much faster and more accurate than typing them out, and it's the easiest way to answer the classic question from an IT helper or a seller: what's in it?
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Keep the PC healthy
Knowing your specs also helps you spot when security software is too heavy for the machine. My reviews of Avast and Bitdefender look at how much each one installs.
Check your Windows version and updates
The Windows specifications section also shows the version number and when it was installed. That matters more than people think: some apps need a minimum version, and an old version may no longer get security fixes. If your version looks old, open Settings, Windows Update and check for updates. Microsoft has ended free security updates for Windows 10, so a Windows 10 PC is worth checking against the Windows 11 requirements, which the same About page helps with.
Specs to note before selling a PC
Buyers ask the same five questions: which processor, how much RAM, what size and type of drive, which graphics card and which version of Windows. Note those, plus the model name from the top of the About page, and you've got a listing that answers questions before they're asked.
My verdict
Windows key and Pause gets you the processor, RAM and Windows version in one go. Add Task Manager's Performance page for the graphics card, memory slots and drive type, and you've got every spec a game, an upgrade or a buyer will ask about.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my PC specs on Windows 11?
Press Windows key and Pause, or go to Settings, System, About.
How do I check my graphics card?
Open Task Manager, click Performance and select GPU.
How do I see how much RAM is installed?
Settings, System, About shows Installed RAM. Task Manager shows speed and slots.
How do I check my storage space?
Open Settings, System, Storage.
Can I check PC specs without downloading anything?
Yes. Settings, Task Manager and System Information cover everything.
