To find your computer specifications, open Settings > System > About on Windows 11, choose About This Mac from the Apple menu on a Mac, or open Diagnostics on a Chromebook. These show basic information; use the component tools below for more detail. The main Windows steps use Windows 11 menus.
The short version
- Windows basics: On Windows 11, open Settings > System > About for your processor, installed RAM, and Windows version.
- Mac basics: Choose About This Mac from the Apple menu for basic computer information.
- Chromebook hardware: Open Diagnostics to inspect CPU, memory, battery, and connection information.
- Actual configuration: Check installed hardware when your computer has been upgraded, because factory specifications can differ.
| Method | What you can find | Scope or catch |
|---|---|---|
| Windows About | Processor, RAM, system type, and Windows version | Windows 11 and Windows 10 |
| Windows System Information | Detailed hardware and software inventory | Administrator privileges improve driver and service reporting |
| Windows Task Manager | GPU model, video memory, and component activity | Windows 11 entries depend on hardware and drivers |
| Windows Device Manager | Component identities, status, and driver details | Windows 11 and Windows 10 |
| AMD hardware IDs | Graphics device and board manufacturer | Useful when the AMD graphics name is missing |
| Windows Storage | Capacity and usage | Includes a view for additional drives |
| File Explorer | Available drive space | Shows volumes visible to Windows |
| Windows Advanced display | Resolution, refresh rate, and variable refresh rate support | Details apply to the selected screen |
| Mac About This Mac | Basic computer information | Available across current and earlier macOS releases |
| Mac System Settings | Computer information and exact macOS version | For macOS versions using this settings layout |
| Mac System Information | Hardware, network, and software report | Includes a report save option |
| Mac Storage | Used and available storage | Multiple volumes can share physical storage |
| Chromebook Diagnostics | CPU, memory, battery, and connections | ChromeOS 90 and later |
| Chromebook About System | Expandable system information | Opened through Chrome |
| Chromebook Storage management | Available storage and usage categories | Current ChromeOS settings layout |
| Chromebook About ChromeOS | OS version and update schedule | Managed devices can show administrator-controlled information |
| Ubuntu About | Model, processor, and memory | Current GNOME desktop layout |
| KDE KInfoCenter | Hardware information modules | Requires KInfoCenter to be installed |
Linux lshw | Hardware inventory | Requires the tool to be installed |
| Windows DirectX Diagnostic Tool | System and DirectX information | Includes a report export option |
Windows systeminfo | OS and hardware configuration | Runs in Command Prompt |
PowerShell Get-ComputerInfo | Consolidated hardware and OS properties | Windows only |
| Dell BIOS | Processor, memory, drives, and other hardware | Menu layout varies by model |
| Mac serial number lookup | Model identity and matching specifications | Printed identity can be obsolete after a logic board replacement |
Find the basic specifications on Windows
On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > System > About. Under Device specifications, read the processor, installed RAM, and system type. The page also identifies the device and model.
Scroll to Windows specifications for your Windows edition and version. Record those separately from the hardware details so you have both the operating system and component information.
On Windows 11, press Windows + Pause to open System > About directly. If your keyboard has no Pause key, on Windows 11 press Windows + I to open Settings, then select System > About.
For an older Windows 10 PC, open Start > Settings > System > About to read its device and Windows specifications. Ordinary Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025.
Open a detailed Windows hardware inventory
On Windows 11 or Windows 10, search Start for System Information and open it. Browse the hardware, components, and software information for details beyond the basic processor and memory overview. Microsoft recommends administrator privileges for accurate reporting of drivers and services.
You can also launch the tool from the keyboard. Press Windows + R, enter the following command, then press Enter.
msinfo32Use the inventory to inspect several components in one place. If you need a closer look at memory, continue with the steps to check RAM on your computer.
Identify your graphics card and video memory
On Windows 11, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then select Performance. Select GPU to read the graphics model and dedicated video memory. The other component entries provide CPU, memory, and storage information.
The entries depend on your hardware and drivers. If you cannot identify the graphics card there, on Windows 11 or Windows 10 search Windows for Device Manager, open it, and expand Display adapters. Right-click a device and select Properties; the General tab shows identification and status, while other available tabs provide driver and device details.
For AMD graphics listed as Microsoft Basic Display Adapter, right-click that entry and select Properties > Details. Under Property, select Hardware Ids. Use the DEV and SUBSYS values with AMD's hardware identification lookup instructions to identify the device and board manufacturer.
Keep the graphics model alongside your processor and RAM information. If your next task is driver maintenance, use that identity to find and update your graphics driver.
Check Windows storage and screen details
On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > System > Storage to inspect capacity and usage. On that Windows 11 page, select Advanced storage settings > Storage used on other drives for additional drives. Keep available space separate from total capacity when recording specifications.
For a quick drive-space view on Windows 11 or Windows 10, open File Explorer and select This PC. Inspect Devices and drives for available space. This shows volumes visible to Windows rather than a complete inventory of physical drives.
On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > System > Display > Advanced display. Read Display information for the selected screen's current resolution, refresh rate, and variable refresh rate support. If you are checking these details because text looks unclear, continue with the steps to fix a blurry computer screen.
Find your Mac specifications
Choose About This Mac from the Apple menu for basic computer information. On current macOS versions using System Settings, you can also choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > About. Click the macOS version number for the exact version.
For a detailed inventory, select System Report from that About page. Inspect the hardware, network, and software information in System Information. If your macOS layout differs, hold Option, open the Apple menu, and choose System Information as an alternative route.
On current macOS, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage. Click All Volumes to inspect used and available storage, and move the pointer over a category to see its size. Multiple volumes can share the same physical storage, so the volume count does not necessarily equal the physical drive count.
Check Chromebook hardware and storage
On a Chromebook running ChromeOS 90 or later, select the time, then open Settings > About ChromeOS > Diagnostics. Inspect the CPU, memory, battery, and connection information. You do not need to run stress tests just to read those details.
Another route is to press the Launcher key, search for Diagnostics, and open the app. For additional system information, open Chrome and enter the following address in the address bar, then press Enter.
chrome://systemIn About System, select Expand beside an entry to inspect its details. For storage on current ChromeOS, select the time and open Settings > System preferences > Storage management. Read the available storage and the categories consuming space.
To record your ChromeOS version, select the time and open Settings > About ChromeOS, then read the version under Google ChromeOS. Select Additional details and inspect Update schedule for the device's automatic update end date. On a managed Chromebook, read the administrator-controlled update information shown there.
Find specifications on Ubuntu or KDE Plasma
On Ubuntu's current GNOME desktop, open Activities and search for System. Select Settings > System, then select About. Read Hardware Model, Processor, Memory, and the other listed information.
Other Linux desktops use different paths. On KDE Plasma with KInfoCenter installed, select Applications > System > KInfoCenter, then browse the information modules.
For a compact terminal inventory on Linux with lshw installed, open a terminal and run the following command. Elevated access improves the completeness of the hardware information. If the tool is not installed and you use Ubuntu GNOME or KDE Plasma, use the matching desktop route above.
sudo lshw -shortSave a specification report
On Windows 11 or Windows 10, search Windows for dxdiag and open the result. If prompted about checking digitally signed drivers, select Yes. Select System to inspect system and DirectX information, then select Save All Information... to create a report.
On a Mac, open System Information using the route above. Choose File > Save, then provide a filename and location to retain a local copy.
If you prefer command output on Windows 11 or Windows 10, open Command Prompt and enter the following command. Press Enter to read the operating system and hardware configuration.
systeminfoFor consolidated hardware and operating system properties, open Windows PowerShell 5.1 or a supported PowerShell session on Windows. Run the following command to retrieve those properties.
Get-ComputerInfoIf you encounter older instructions using WMIC, use Get-ComputerInfo or targeted Get-CimInstance queries instead. Microsoft has removed WMIC from supported Windows 11 versions.
Find details when the computer cannot start normally
On a Dell computer, turn it on or restart it and repeatedly press F2 at the Dell logo. On models with this layout, expand General > System Information to read the processor, memory, drive, and other displayed details. BIOS layouts vary, so consult the exact model's manual when those labels differ.
For a Mac with a legible original label or packaging, find the serial number on the underside or original packaging. Enter it at Apple's coverage lookup to identify the model, then use Apple's matching model identification and technical specifications pages. A replaced logic board can make the printed serial number obsolete.
Factory specifications and model family specifications may include optional configurations or differ after upgrades. Once the computer can start, use its installed hardware tools to confirm the actual components.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a shortcut for specifications on an HP laptop?
On an HP notebook with HP System Information and its shortcut support installed, press fn + esc. The window provides product identity, processor information, and installed memory. If the shortcut does not work, use the Windows About page or System Information.
How can you find the exact model of a Microsoft Surface?
On a supported Surface with the Surface app installed, search Start for Surface and open it. Expand Device information and read Surface model. This route applies to Surface Pro, Surface Laptop, Surface Go, Surface Studio, and Surface Book.
How do you distinguish installed RAM from memory usage on a Mac?
Open Activity Monitor and click Memory. Read Physical Memory at the bottom of the window for installed RAM, keeping it separate from Memory Used and Swap Used.
Does a missing NPU entry in Task Manager mean the computer has no NPU?
A missing NPU entry is not a complete hardware compatibility test. On Windows 11, the entries shown in Task Manager depend on the hardware and drivers, so you cannot settle compatibility from that view alone.