How to Find Computer Hardware and System Specifications

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A user-friendly guide to view your PC specs and check what type of computer you have
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Do you need to check your laptop or computer specs? If you're using a Windows PC, you'll be able to find your CPU, memory, RAM, storage, and more in your System Information or Device Manager. If you're using Mac, you can use the Apple menu. This wikiHow will show you how to find your computer's hardware specifications using Windows 7, 8, 10, 11, and MacOS Ventura or earlier.

Things You Should Know

  • Click the "Start" menu and enter "System Information". Click the result to view your specifications.
  • On Windows, open the Command Prompt. Type "systeminfo" and press "Enter".
  • On Mac, open the Apple menu. Click "System Settings/System Preferences" → "General" → "About".
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Windows 8, 10, and 11

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  1. This is the Windows logo.
    • You can also use the Command Prompt to view your specifications. Open CMD , type in systeminfo , and press Enter .
  2. Search results will begin to appear.
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  3. This will be the first result.
    • A new window will open.
  4. Under Device specifications , you'll be able to see: device name, processor, installed RAM, device ID, product ID, and system type. [1]
    • Under Windows specifications , you'll be able to see: Windows edition, version, installed on date, OS build, and experience.
    • You can also type System Information into the Start menu. Click the first result to view your specifications.
  5. To view your graphics card, you'll need to check your Device manager. Do the following:
    • Click the Start menu.
    • Type in: Device manager and click the first result.
    • Click the arrow next to Display adapters to expand the section.
    • View your listed graphics card(s).
    • Make sure you don't uninstall or disable anything in Device Manager without explicit instruction on how to do so, as accidental uninstallation can cause your computer to stop working. You can also find and update drivers in the Device Manager.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Windows 7

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  1. This will be in the bottom left corner.
  2. You can find this on the right side of the Start menu.
    • A pop-up window will open.
  3. This will be at the bottom of the pop-up window.
    • A new window will open.
  4. You'll be able to check your Windows version underneath Windows edition . Under System , you can find: manufacturer, model, rating, processor, installed memory (RAM), and system type.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using Mac Ventura or Earlier

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  1. You can find this at the top-left corner. [2]
  2. On Monterey and earlier, this will be System Preferences… .
  3. This will be next to the cog icon. You may need to scroll down to find it.
  4. This will be on the right of the window.
  5. You'll be able to see your Mac's name, chip, memory, serial number, coverage, macOS, and displays.
  6. With a system report, you'll be able to view some additional information about your Mac. Do the following:
    • Click the Apple menu.
    • Click System Settings or System Preferences .
    • Click General .
    • Click About .
    • Click System Report .
    • View your computer's installed or connected hardware, network connections, and software.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using Linux

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  1. 1
    Open terminal by pressing ctrl + alt + T .
  2. 2
    Type neofetch .
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I get to the system command center?
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Expert Answer
    You can either hold the Windows key and hit the pause break button, or press Command-Shift-Escape all at once.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
  • Question
    What hardware specifications would I focus on to determine performance/reliability?
    Community Answer
    Ram amount, processor speed, video card, and motherboard would be a good start.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 12 Helpful 44
  • Question
    What do I have to look for in the system specification while trying to download a new program?
    Sujan Shrestha
    Community Answer
    Look for processor speed and type, RAM, storage and graphics.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      • When shopping for a computer online, you should be able to find the specifications listed in the description (if not the title) of the posting.
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      • If you haven't yet purchased the computer on which you want to check specifications, you can usually find the specs listed on the computer's packaging, in the computer's manual, or on the computer's in-store display plaque.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/view-your-system-info-a965a8f2-0773-1d65-472a-1e747c9ebe00
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/get-system-information-about-your-mac-syspr35536/mac

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Windows:
      1. Open the Start menu.
      2. Click Settings .
      3. Click System .
      4. Click About .

      macOS:
      1. Open the Apple menu.
      2. Click About this Mac .

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