Overview

Below you will find instructions showing how to find the OS (Operating System) of a device. You may need to find the OS version of your device to and aid in identifying your device for troubleshooting purposes.

The OS, which stands for Operating System, is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer's language. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.

On this page:

• Computers
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 8 & 8.1
  • Windows 10
  • Mac
  • Linux/Unix
  • Chromebook
• Mobile Devices
  • iPhone/iPad (iOS)
  • Android

Critical Concepts

• Every device has an Operating System (OS)
  
  

Steps to Take Computers

Computers

Windows 7

1. Select the Start  button, type Computer in the search box, right-click on Computer, and then select Properties.
   
   
2. Under Windows edition, you'll see the version and edition of Windows that your device is running.

Windows 8 or 8.1

To find out which version of Windows your device is running, press the Windows logo key + R, type winver in the Open box, and then select OK.

If your device is running Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, here’s how to learn more:

1. If you're using a touch device, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. Continue to step 3.
2. If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.
3. Select PC and devices > PC info.
4. Under Windows you'll see which  edition and version of Windows your device is running.
5. Under PC > System type you'll see if you're running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.

Windows 10

To find out which version of Windows your device is running, press the Windows logo  key + R, type winver in the Open box, and then select OK.

Here’s how to learn more:

1. 1. Select the Start button >Settings  > System  > About .
      
      Open About settings
       

1. Under Device specifications > System type, see if you're running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.
2. Under Windows specifications, check which edition and version of Windows your device is running.

Mac

From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen, choose About This Mac. You should see the macOS name, such as macOS Mojave, followed by its version number. If you need to know the build number as well, click the version number to see it.

This example shows macOS Catalina version 10.15 build 19A583.

Linux/Unix

The procedure to find os name and version on Linux:

1. Open the terminal application (bash shell)
2. For remote server login using the ssh: ssh user@server-name
3. Type any one of the following command to find os name and version in Linux:
   cat /etc/os-release
   lsb_release -a
   hostnamectl
4. Type the following command to find Linux kernel version:
   uname -r

Sample Output: 

NAME="Ubuntu"
VERSION="17.10 (Artful Aardvark)"
ID=ubuntu
ID_LIKE=debian
PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 17.10"
VERSION_ID="17.10"
HOME_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://help.ubuntu.com/"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/"
PRIVACY_POLICY_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/legal/terms-and-policies/privacy-policy"
VERSION_CODENAME=artful
UBUNTU_CODENAME=artful

Chromebook

1. Click on the clock in the lower right corner of your screen.
2. Select the “Settings” icon (the gear in the upper row of the pop-up window).
3. Find “About Chrome OS” on the bottom of the left-hand menu and select it.

Steps to Take Mobile Devices

iPhone/iPad (iOS)

1. Select Settings from your home screen
2. Go to General > About
3. Scan down the screen until you see the Version line, which tells you both the version of iOS and the build number.

Android

Settings menus can vary across different Android devices.  For the majority of cases, these steps should work:

1. 1. Open your device's Settings.
   2. Tap About Phone or About Device.
   3. Tap Android Version to display your version information.