How to Find Specs on PC? Written for 2026.

To find PC specs on Windows 11 or Windows 10, press Windows Key + Pause/Break to instantly open the About page in Settings, or press Windows Key + I, navigate to System > About, where you’ll see your processor, RAM, system type, and Windows edition displayed under Device specifications. This method takes 10 seconds and provides the most commonly needed information. For comprehensive details including motherboard, BIOS, and detailed component information, press Windows Key + R, type “msinfo32,” and press Enter to access the full System Information tool that lists every hardware and software specification on your PC.

Knowing your PC specifications is essential for troubleshooting problems, checking game system requirements, upgrading components, and getting technical support. Understanding all available methods helps you find exactly the information you need quickly. Let’s explore every way to check PC specs in 2025.

Quick Method: Settings > System > About

The Settings app provides the fastest way to check basic PC specifications without additional tools or commands. This method works identically on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Using Keyboard Shortcut:

Press Windows Key + Pause/Break simultaneously. This keyboard shortcut instantly opens the System > About page in Settings, displaying your PC’s core specifications immediately. The Pause/Break key (usually in the top-right area of full-sized keyboards) provides the fastest single-button access to system specs.

Using Settings Menu:

If your keyboard lacks a Pause/Break key (common on laptops), press Windows Key + I to open Settings. In Windows 11, click “System” in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click “About.” In Windows 10, click “System,” then scroll down to “About” in the left menu.

HP’s comprehensive guide to checking PC specs

Information Displayed:

The About page shows two main sections:

Device Specifications:

• Device name – Your computer’s network name
• Processor – CPU model and speed (e.g., “AMD Ryzen 9 9950X @ 4.30 GHz”)
• Installed RAM – Total system memory (e.g., “32.0 GB”)
• Device ID – Unique identifier for your PC
• Product ID – Windows product identifier
• System type – Architecture (64-bit operating system, x64-based processor)
• Pen and touch – Touch screen capability status

Windows Specifications:

• Edition – Windows version (Windows 11 Pro, Home, etc.)
• Version – Feature update version (24H2, 23H2, etc.)
• Installed on – Date Windows was installed
• OS build – Specific build number
• Experience – Feature experience pack version

This method provides sufficient information for most purposes—checking RAM before buying more, verifying processor for game requirements, or confirming Windows version for software compatibility.

After helping hundreds of users check their PC specs, the Settings > About page answers 90% of questions people have about their computers. Most users need to know their RAM amount, processor model, and Windows version—this single page provides all three instantly. Save yourself time by checking here first before diving into more complex system information tools.

Comprehensive Method: System Information (msinfo32)

For detailed specifications beyond what Settings displays, Windows includes System Information—a powerful built-in tool cataloging every hardware and software component.

Opening System Information:

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Type msinfo32 and press Enter. The System Information window opens, displaying an organized hierarchy of system details.

Alternatively, search for “System Information” in the Start menu and click the result.

System Summary Information:

The default System Summary page shows critical specifications:

• OS Name – Full Windows edition (Windows 11 Pro)
• Version – Complete version number (10.0.26100 Build 26100)
• System Manufacturer – PC brand (Dell, HP, custom build, etc.)
• System Model – Specific model number
• System Type – Architecture (x64-based PC)
• Processor – Detailed CPU information including cores and threads
• BIOS Version/Date – Motherboard firmware version and release date
• SMBIOS Version – System Management BIOS version
• BaseBoard Manufacturer – Motherboard brand
• BaseBoard Product – Motherboard model number
• Installed Physical Memory (RAM) – Total RAM installed
• Total Physical Memory – Available RAM
• Available Physical Memory – Currently unused RAM
• Total Virtual Memory – RAM plus page file
• Available Virtual Memory – Unused virtual memory
• Page File Space – Hard drive space allocated for virtual memory
• Boot Device – Drive Windows boots from
• Windows Directory – Windows installation location

Expanding Categories:

System Information organizes details into collapsible categories in the left panel:

Hardware Resources – IRQ assignments, DMA channels, memory addresses, I/O ports (advanced technical details)

Components – Detailed information about every hardware component:

• Multimedia (audio codecs, video codecs)
• CD-ROM (optical drives)
• Sound Device (audio interfaces)
• Display (graphics card details)
• Infrared (IR receivers if present)
• Input (keyboard, mouse information)
• Modem (if applicable)
• Network (network adapters)
• Ports (USB, serial, parallel ports)
• Storage (hard drives, SSDs, controllers)
• Printing (printers)
• Problem Devices (hardware with driver issues)
• USB (detailed USB device tree)

Software Environment – System drivers, environment variables, network connections, running tasks, services, program groups, startup programs, Windows Error Reporting, and more.

Exporting System Information:

System Information allows exporting complete specs to a text file for documentation or technical support. Click File > Export, choose save location and filename, then click Save. The resulting .txt file contains every specification in plain text format—useful when contacting tech support or building a PC documentation archive.

Using Task Manager for Real-Time Specs

Task Manager provides hardware specifications alongside real-time performance monitoring, useful for understanding how components perform during actual use.

Opening Task Manager:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager directly, or right-click the taskbar and select “Task Manager.”

Performance Tab:

Click the “Performance” tab to see hardware monitoring. The left panel lists components: CPU, Memory, Disk, Ethernet/Wi-Fi, and GPU (if present). Click each component to view detailed specifications and real-time performance graphs.

CPU Information:

Click “CPU” in the left panel. Task Manager displays:

• Processor model and base speed (e.g., Intel Core Ultra 9 285K @ 3.70 GHz)
• Cores – Physical CPU cores
• Logical processors – Threads (typically double core count with hyperthreading/SMT)
• Virtualization – Enabled or disabled
• L1/L2/L3 Cache – CPU cache sizes
• Utilization – Current CPU usage percentage
• Speed – Current clock speed (changes based on load)
• Processes – Number of active processes
• Threads – Total active threads
• Handles – System handles in use
• Up time – System running duration since last restart

Memory (RAM) Information:

Click “Memory” in the left panel:

• Total RAM – Installed memory capacity
• Available RAM – Currently unused memory
• Committed – Memory allocated to programs
• Cached – Memory used for file caching
• Paged pool – Kernel memory that can swap to disk
• Non-paged pool – Kernel memory that must stay in RAM
• In use – Memory currently being used
• Speed – RAM frequency (e.g., 6000 MHz)
• Slots used – Physical RAM sticks installed (e.g., 2 of 4)
• Form factor – DIMM, SODIMM (laptop), etc.
• Hardware reserved – Memory allocated to integrated graphics or system firmware

GPU Information:

Click “GPU” in the left panel (or “GPU 0” if multiple GPUs present):

• GPU model – Graphics card name (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080)
• Driver version – Current graphics driver
• Driver date – When driver was released
• DirectX version – DirectX support level
• Physical location – PCIe slot information
• Dedicated GPU memory – VRAM on the graphics card
• Shared GPU memory – System RAM available to GPU
• GPU memory – Combined dedicated and shared memory
• Utilization – Current GPU usage
• Temperature – GPU temperature (if supported)

Disk Information:

Click “Disk 0” (or other disk numbers for multiple drives):

• Model – Drive manufacturer and model
• Capacity – Total storage size
• Formatted – Usable capacity after formatting
• System disk – Whether this drive contains Windows
• Type – SSD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
• Active time – Percentage of time drive is working
• Read speed – Current read transfer rate
• Write speed – Current write transfer rate

Task Manager’s advantage over static specification tools is showing how hardware performs under load. You can see CPU usage spike when opening programs, RAM consumption by running applications, and GPU utilization during gaming.

Using Command Prompt (systeminfo command)

Command Prompt provides text-based access to system specifications, useful for scripting, remote management, or when GUI tools aren’t accessible.

Opening Command Prompt:

Press Windows Key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. Command Prompt opens.

Running systeminfo Command:

Type systeminfo and press Enter. The command takes 5-10 seconds to gather information, then displays comprehensive system details in text format.

Information Displayed:

The systeminfo command outputs:

• Host Name – Computer name
• OS Name – Windows edition
• OS Version – Build number
• OS Manufacturer – Microsoft Corporation
• OS Configuration – Standalone Workstation, Domain Member, etc.
• OS Build Type – Multiprocessor Free
• Registered Owner – User account name
• Registered Organization – Company name (if applicable)
• Product ID – Windows product key ID
• Original Install Date – When Windows was first installed
• System Boot Time – Last startup time
• System Manufacturer – PC brand
• System Model – Model number
• System Type – Architecture (x64-based PC)
• Processor(s) – Detailed CPU information
• BIOS Version – Firmware version
• Windows Directory – Windows installation folder
• System Directory – System32 folder location
• Boot Device – Boot drive
• System Locale – Regional settings
• Input Locale – Keyboard layout
• Time Zone – System time zone
• Total Physical Memory – Installed RAM
• Available Physical Memory – Free RAM
• Virtual Memory: Max Size – Virtual memory limit
• Virtual Memory: Available – Free virtual memory
• Virtual Memory: In Use – Used virtual memory
• Page File Location(s) – Page file path
• Domain – Network domain (if joined)
• Logon Server – Domain controller (if applicable)
• Hotfix(s) – List of all installed Windows updates
• Network Card(s) – Network adapter details
• Hyper-V Requirements – Virtualization capability check

Exporting to Text File:

Save systeminfo output to a file for documentation:

systeminfo > C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\systemspecs.txt

Replace [YourUsername] with your actual Windows username. The command creates a text file containing all system information at the specified location.

Using DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag)

DirectX Diagnostic Tool focuses on graphics and multimedia specifications, providing detailed GPU information alongside basic system specs.

Opening dxdiag:

Press Windows Key + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter. If prompted about checking driver signatures, click “Yes” or “No” (either works). The DirectX Diagnostic Tool window opens.

System Tab:

The first tab shows basic system information:

• Operating System – Windows version
• Language – System language
• System Manufacturer – PC brand
• System Model – Model number
• BIOS – Firmware version and date
• Processor – CPU model, cores, and speed
• Memory – Installed RAM
• Page File – Virtual memory size
• Windows DirectX Version – DirectX version (DirectX 12 Ultimate on modern systems)

Display Tab(s):

Click “Display 1” (and “Display 2” if you have multiple GPUs or monitors connected to different outputs). This tab provides detailed graphics information:

• Name – GPU model (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, AMD Radeon RX 9700 XT, etc.)
• Manufacturer – GPU brand
• Chip Type – GPU architecture
• DAC Type – Digital-to-Analog Converter type
• Device Type – Full Display Device, Render-Only Device, etc.
• Approx. Total Memory – Combined VRAM and shared memory
• Dedicated Video Memory – VRAM on the graphics card
• Shared Memory – System RAM available to GPU
• Current Display Mode – Resolution and refresh rate (e.g., 2560×1440, 165Hz)
• HDR Support – High Dynamic Range capability
• Monitor Model – Connected display model
• Native Mode – Monitor’s optimal resolution
• Driver Name – Graphics driver file
• Driver Version – Driver version number
• Driver Date – When driver was released
• Feature Levels – Supported DirectX feature levels

Sound Tab:

Click “Sound” for audio device details:

• Sound Device Name – Audio interface model
• Manufacturer – Audio device brand
• Driver Name – Audio driver file
• Driver Version – Audio driver version

Input Tab:

Shows connected input devices (keyboards, mice, game controllers) with driver information.

Saving Information:

Click “Save All Information” at the bottom to export complete DirectX diagnostics to a text file. Choose save location and filename—dxdiag creates a comprehensive .txt file containing all displayed information plus additional diagnostic details.

Using Third-Party Tools (Optional)

While Windows built-in tools cover most needs, third-party applications provide more detailed specifications and user-friendly interfaces.

CPU-Z (Free):

CPU-Z provides exhaustive CPU, motherboard, RAM, and graphics information. Download from cpuid.com. The application shows:

• CPU architecture details (process node, instruction sets)
• Motherboard chipset and BIOS details
• RAM timing and SPD information
• Real-time CPU frequency and voltage monitoring

GPU-Z (Free):

GPU-Z focuses exclusively on graphics card specifications. Download from techpowerup.com. It displays:

• GPU chip specifications (shader count, memory bus width, transistor count)
• VRAM type and speed
• Driver version and BIOS information
• Real-time GPU monitoring (clock speeds, temperature, usage)

HWiNFO (Free):

HWiNFO provides the most comprehensive hardware information available. Download from hwinfo.com. Features include:

• Every conceivable hardware specification
• Real-time sensor monitoring
• Benchmarking capabilities
• Detailed reports exportable to multiple formats

Speccy (Free/Paid):

Speccy by Piriform presents system specifications in a clean, organized interface. Download from ccleaner.com/speccy. It shows:

• System summary with all major components
• Operating system details
• Temperature monitoring
• Easy-to-read interface suitable for beginners

These tools are optional—Windows built-in methods provide sufficient information for most users. Third-party tools benefit enthusiasts wanting deeper technical details or real-time monitoring.

Understanding Common Specifications

Knowing what specifications mean helps you interpret the information you find.

Processor (CPU):

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) executes program instructions. Key specs:

• Model – Brand and model number (Intel Core i7-14700K, AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D)
• Cores – Independent processing units (8-core, 16-core, etc.)
• Threads – Virtual cores through hyperthreading/SMT (16 threads on 8-core CPU)
• Clock Speed – Processing frequency in GHz (higher = faster)
• Cache – Fast memory on CPU chip (L1, L2, L3 cache in MB)

More cores and threads improve multitasking and productivity applications. Higher clock speeds boost gaming and single-threaded tasks.

Microsoft’s official Windows 11 system requirements

Memory (RAM):

RAM (Random Access Memory) stores actively used data for quick access. Key specs:

• Capacity – Total memory in GB (8GB, 16GB, 32GB, etc.)
• Speed – Frequency in MHz (DDR4-3200, DDR5-6000)
• Type – Memory generation (DDR4, DDR5)
• Channels – Dual-channel, quad-channel configuration

More RAM allows running more programs simultaneously. Faster RAM improves system responsiveness, especially in productivity and gaming.

Storage:

Storage drives save files, programs, and operating system. Key specs:

• Type – SSD (fast, no moving parts) or HDD (slower, mechanical)
• Capacity – Total storage space in GB or TB
• Interface – Connection type (NVMe, SATA, PCIe)
• Form Factor – Physical size (M.2, 2.5-inch, 3.5-inch)

SSDs dramatically outperform HDDs in speed. NVMe SSDs connected via PCIe are fastest, with read speeds exceeding 7,000 MB/s on PCIe 4.0 or 14,000 MB/s on PCIe 5.0.

Graphics Card (GPU):

The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) renders graphics for games and visual applications. Key specs:

• Model – Brand and model (NVIDIA RTX 5080, AMD RX 9700 XT)
• VRAM – Video memory in GB (12GB, 16GB, 24GB)
• Memory Type – GDDR6, GDDR6X, GDDR7
• Core Clock – Processing frequency
• CUDA/Stream Processors – Parallel processing units

More VRAM allows higher resolution textures and settings. Faster GPUs deliver higher frame rates in games and accelerate creative applications.

One mistake I see constantly: users confuse storage space with RAM. “I have 512GB” refers to storage (files and programs), while “I have 16GB RAM” refers to memory (active program data). Storage is permanent (files remain after shutdown), RAM is temporary (cleared when PC turns off). Checking both is important—insufficient RAM causes slowdowns, insufficient storage prevents installing games and applications.

When You Need to Check PC Specs

Understanding common scenarios requiring specification checks helps you prepare the right information.

Before Buying Games or Software:

Check system requirements against your specs. Games list minimum (barely playable) and recommended (smooth performance) requirements. Compare your CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage against these requirements before purchasing.

Before Upgrading Components:

Verify compatibility before buying upgrades. Check motherboard model to ensure CPU compatibility, RAM type and maximum capacity, available PCIe slots for GPUs, and power supply wattage for new components.

Troubleshooting Performance Issues:

Identify bottlenecks causing poor performance. Check if RAM is full (causing slowdowns), CPU usage maxes out (CPU bottleneck), GPU usage stays low (CPU-limited gaming), or storage is nearly full (Windows needs free space).

Getting Technical Support:

Support staff need your specifications to diagnose problems. Export system information using msinfo32 or dxdiag to provide complete details when contacting support.

Selling Your PC:

Buyers want detailed specifications. List CPU model, RAM capacity, storage type and size, GPU model, motherboard, and Windows version to attract informed buyers and justify pricing.

The Bottom Line

Finding PC specs on Windows is straightforward: press Windows Key + Pause/Break for instant basic specifications, or press Windows Key + I > System > About for the same information through Settings. This method reveals your processor, RAM, system type, and Windows version in under 10 seconds.

For comprehensive specifications including motherboard, BIOS, and every component detail, use System Information by pressing Windows Key + R, typing “msinfo32,” and pressing Enter. This tool catalogs every hardware and software specification on your PC.

Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc > Performance tab) adds real-time monitoring to specifications, showing how components perform under load. DirectX Diagnostic Tool (Windows Key + R, type “dxdiag”) specializes in graphics and multimedia details.

Command Prompt’s systeminfo command provides text-based specifications useful for documentation or remote management. Export this information to text files for technical support or personal records.

Understanding your PC specifications empowers informed decisions about upgrades, game purchases, and troubleshooting. The built-in Windows tools provide all information most users need without downloading third-party software.