How to identify different versions of Windows 8*?
I'm trying to explain to clients how they can tell which version of Windows they are running.
There are three variables:
It is easy to determine if Windows 8 is being used because that is Windows version 6.2 and Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Update are version 6.3. More visibly, what was "My Computer" appears as "Computer" in Windows 8 and as "This PC" in Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Update.
Right clicking on "Computer" or "This PC" and choosing Properties shows if the PC is running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows, so that's easy too. The same screen tells us if we're using the Pro version or not.
Running winver.exe tells us the release name (Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 (but not Windows 8.1 Update)), and the edition (Windows 8* or Windows 8* Pro)
How is one supposed to identify the difference between Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Update? The only information I can find from Microsoft is "If you see a search button next to your account picture in the top-right corner of the Start Screen, you are running Windows 8.1 Update".
There's got to be a better way than that, surely?!
There are three variables:
32-bit or 64-bit
Windows 8* or Windows 8* Pro
WIndows 8, or Windows 8.1, or Windows 8.1 Update
It is easy to determine if Windows 8 is being used because that is Windows version 6.2 and Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Update are version 6.3. More visibly, what was "My Computer" appears as "Computer" in Windows 8 and as "This PC" in Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Update.
Right clicking on "Computer" or "This PC" and choosing Properties shows if the PC is running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows, so that's easy too. The same screen tells us if we're using the Pro version or not.
Running winver.exe tells us the release name (Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 (but not Windows 8.1 Update)), and the edition (Windows 8* or Windows 8* Pro)
How is one supposed to identify the difference between Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Update? The only information I can find from Microsoft is "If you see a search button next to your account picture in the top-right corner of the Start Screen, you are running Windows 8.1 Update".
There's got to be a better way than that, surely?!
ASKER
On my PC, which I know to be running Windows 8.1 Update Pro (or Windows Pro 8.1 Update? Who knows its full name...), that shows:
OS Name: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro
Version: 6.3.9600 Build 9600
Other OS Description: Not available
System Type: x64-based PC
No obvious indication that it isn't just running Windows 8.1 instead of Windows 8.1 Update.
OS Name: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro
Version: 6.3.9600 Build 9600
Other OS Description: Not available
System Type: x64-based PC
No obvious indication that it isn't just running Windows 8.1 instead of Windows 8.1 Update.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Wow, even I'm confused now. Microsoft refer to Windows 8 being the original version, Windows 8.1 being the version after the 3GB Windows Store update, and Windows 8.1 Update being the version after the 800MB "service pack" from Windows Update.
The "Windows 8.1 Update" must be what Rindi calls Windows 8.1 Update 1, and I wish Microsoft used that name or just called it Windows 8.11!
I think this is the answer I was looking for - a definitive measure of which version of Windows is installed:
The "Windows 8.1 Update" must be what Rindi calls Windows 8.1 Update 1, and I wish Microsoft used that name or just called it Windows 8.11!
I think this is the answer I was looking for - a definitive measure of which version of Windows is installed:
Under "Hardware Abstraction Layer" Windows 8.1 without update 1 has version "6.3.9600.16500", while Windows 8.1 with update 1 has version "6.3.9600.17031".
See if that helps