How to check your PC specs on Windows (without installing anything)

Knowing what's inside your computer helps when checking whether a game will run, asking for tech support, upgrading memory or selling the machine. Windows includes several tools that show this information without installing anything. This guide explains which to use for each detail.

#Quick summary

#1. Windows Settings: the basics

Go to Settings > System > About (or press Win + Pause on many keyboards). You'll see:

• Processor: brand, model and base clock.
• Installed RAM.
• System type: 64-bit or 32-bit.
• Windows edition and version.

#2. Task Manager: the most complete tool

Open it with Ctrl + Shift + Esc and go to the Performance tab:

• CPU: model, cores and logical processors, current speed, and whether virtualisation is on.
• Memory: total, in use, speed, slots used (e.g. "2 of 4") and form factor. Handy for knowing whether you can upgrade or whether you're in dual channel.
• Disk: each drive with its type (SSD or HDD) and model.
• GPU: model, dedicated GPU memory (VRAM) and shared memory. With two GPUs (integrated and dedicated), they appear as GPU 0 and GPU 1.

#3. DxDiag: graphics and DirectX

Press Win + R, type dxdiag and press Enter.

• System tab: computer manufacturer and model, processor, memory and DirectX version.
• Display tab (there may be two): GPU name, display memory and driver version.
• Save All Information: creates a text file with everything — useful to send to tech support or a forum.

#4. System Information (msinfo32): motherboard and BIOS

Press Win + R, type msinfo32 and press Enter. Under System Summary you'll see:

• Motherboard manufacturer and model (BaseBoard).
• BIOS version and date.
• BIOS mode (UEFI or Legacy) and Secure Boot state.

Useful for finding BIOS updates or checking Windows 11 compatibility.

#5. Device Manager: all your hardware

Right-click Start > Device Manager. It lists every component by group: display adapters, network adapters, sound controllers and more. It's the place to review drivers or spot problem devices (they show a warning icon). More in how to update drivers.

#6. From the command line

For advanced users, in PowerShell or Command Prompt:

systeminfo

shows a system summary including processor, memory, Windows version and install date.

#On a laptop: find the exact model

For laptops, the most reliable way to get full specs — including whether RAM is upgradable or there's a second M.2 slot — is to look up the exact model on the manufacturer's website. You'll find it on the sticker underneath, in msinfo32 ("System Model") or on the box.

#What you'll use this for

• Checking whether your PC can run a game.
• Deciding whether to add RAM or switch to an SSD.
• Diagnosing why your PC is slow.
• Asking for help in forums with concrete details.
• Describing the machine accurately if you sell it.

#The bottom line

Task Manager and DxDiag give you almost everything: CPU, RAM with its slots and speed, drive type, and GPU with its VRAM. For the motherboard and BIOS, use msinfo32. Save the DxDiag report whenever you need help — it saves a lot of back-and-forth.