The fastest way to see your PC specs

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I, then go to System in the left sidebar and click About. This page shows your processor, RAM, system type, and Windows version in one place. It is the quickest route if you need the basics right now.

If you want more detail — storage breakdown, graphics card name, display resolution — you will need to dig into different sections of Settings or use the built-in tools described below. Each method shows different information, so the tool you pick depends on what you are actually trying to find out.

Key Takeaways

  • Settings > System > About shows your processor, RAM, and Windows version without opening any other programs.
  • Device Manager lists every piece of hardware in your PC, including graphics cards, storage drives, and network adapters.
  • System Information (msinfo32) displays detailed specs like BIOS version, system manufacturer, and installed RAM in a single window.
  • Task Manager's Performance tab shows real-time CPU, memory, and disk usage alongside your hardware names.
  • DirectX Diagnostic Tool reveals graphics card memory, sound card details, and display resolution in one place.

Using Settings for the most common specs

Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click System on the left, then scroll down and click About. You will see your device name, processor (CPU), installed RAM, system type (32-bit or 64-bit), and Windows 11 version number.

This view does not show graphics card, storage capacity, or motherboard details. If you need those, move to the next method. But for a quick answer to "how much RAM do I have" or "what processor is in this PC," Settings > About is the fastest answer.

Device Manager for a complete hardware list

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager, or press Windows key + X and choose it from the menu. Device Manager shows every piece of hardware Windows recognizes, organized by category: processors, storage drives, graphics cards, network adapters, and more.

Click the arrow next to any category to expand it and see the specific model. For example, expand Display adapters to see your graphics card name and memory. Expand Disk drives to see storage device models. If a device has a yellow warning triangle, it means the driver is missing or outdated — that is separate from checking specs, but Device Manager will flag it.

Device Manager does not always show the full technical details (like exact RAM speed or storage capacity). For that level of detail, use System Information instead.

System Information for detailed technical specs

Press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. System Information opens in a new window showing your processor name and speed, total RAM, system manufacturer, BIOS version, and Windows version in the main panel.

On the left sidebar, click System Summary to see the overview, or expand categories below it for more detail. Click Hardware Resources to see memory addresses and IRQ assignments. Click Components to expand and view storage devices, sound devices, and network adapters with their model numbers and drivers.

System Information is the most complete single window for technical specs. It shows information Device Manager does not, like BIOS date and system manufacturer, and it is faster than clicking through multiple Settings pages.

Task Manager for real-time hardware names and usage

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager directly. Click the Performance tab at the top. On the left side, you will see categories: CPU, Memory, Disk, GPU, and Network.

Click each one to see the hardware name and current usage. For example, click GPU to see your graphics card name, dedicated memory, and how much is in use right now. Click Memory to see total RAM and speed. This view is useful if you want to know what is running and which hardware is under load, not just what you own.

Task Manager does not show storage capacity or motherboard details, but it is the easiest way to see your graphics card name and RAM speed without opening a separate tool.

DirectX Diagnostic Tool for graphics and audio details

Press Windows key + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool window opens. Click the Display tab to see your graphics card name, dedicated memory, display resolution, and refresh rate.

Click the Sound tab to see your audio device name and driver version. Click the System tab to see processor, RAM, and Windows version again. This tool is most useful if you are checking graphics card memory or display settings, or if you need to troubleshoot a graphics or sound problem and want to confirm the driver version.

Checking storage capacity and drive details

Open File Explorer and right-click This PC in the left sidebar, then select Manage. In the window that opens, click Storage on the left. You will see each drive, its total capacity, and how much space is used and free.

For more technical details about a drive — model number, serial number, health status — you need a third-party tool. Windows does not include a built-in way to see those details. But for "how much storage do I have" and "how full is my drive," File Explorer > This PC > Manage > Storage is the built-in answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find my graphics card specs?

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), click the Performance tab, then click GPU on the left. You will see the card name and dedicated memory. For more detail like driver version, press Windows key + R, type dxdiag, click Display, and look at the graphics card section.

How do I check if my RAM is running at full speed?

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), click Performance, then click Memory. The speed listed is what your RAM is actually running at. If it is slower than your RAM's rated speed, your motherboard settings or BIOS may be limiting it — that requires changing BIOS settings, not Windows.

Can I see my motherboard model in Windows 11?

Press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. Look for "System Model" or "Base Board Product" in the System Information window. Not all manufacturers list this clearly, so you may see a generic name. If you need the exact model, check your PC's original documentation or open the case and read the board itself.

What is the difference between Device Manager and System Information?

Device Manager shows what hardware Windows recognizes and whether drivers are installed. System Information shows the same hardware plus technical details like BIOS version, memory speed, and system manufacturer. Use Device Manager to check if a device is working; use System Information to see detailed specs.

How do I find my Windows 11 version number?

Press Windows key + I, click System, scroll to About, and look for "Windows specifications." You will see the version number (like 23H2) and build number. This tells you which update of Windows 11 you are running.