How to Check PC Specs in Windows 11

If you are trying to buy a massive new video game, install a heavy video editing suite, or simply sell your old laptop to a stranger, you must know exactly what physical hardware is inside the machine. You cannot guess. You need to know the specific model of your Processor (CPU), the exact amount of Memory (RAM), and the size of your hard drive.

You do not need to physically open the laptop case with a screwdriver to find this information. Windows 11 contains three different diagnostic tools that will scan the motherboard and print a detailed readout of every piece of silicon on the machine.

Method 1: The Settings App (The Basic Overview)

If you just need a quick, top-level summary (e.g., “Do I have 8GB or 16GB of RAM?”), the main Settings app provides a clean, easy-to-read dashboard.

1. Click the Start Menu (the Windows icon on the taskbar).
2. Click the gear icon to open the Settings app.
3. In the left-hand navigation sidebar, click on System.
4. Scroll all the way down to the absolute bottom of the main window and click About.

The screen will instantly display two sections: Device specifications (which tells you your CPU model and total RAM) and Windows specifications (which tells you exactly which version of Windows 11 is currently installed, such as “Home” or “Pro”).

(Note: There is a convenient “Copy” button next to these sections, allowing you to instantly paste your specs into an email or an eBay listing).

Method 2: Task Manager (For Live Hardware Tracking)

If you want to know what hardware you have, and you want to see exactly how hard that hardware is currently working, you should use the Task Manager.

1. Right-click the Start Menu icon. (Do not left-click it).
2. A hidden technical menu will pop up. Click on Task Manager.
3. When the Task Manager opens, look at the icons running down the left-hand sidebar. Click on the Performance tab (it looks like a small jagged line graph).

This screen is a live dashboard of your computer’s heart rate. You can click on the different components on the left side (CPU, Memory, Disk, GPU) to see exactly what model is installed. More importantly, you can watch the live graphs to see if your RAM is 100% maxed out, which instantly tells you if you need to buy an upgrade.

Method 3: System Information (The Hardcore IT Method)

If you need to know microscopic, highly specific details about your motherboard (like the exact BIOS firmware version number) to perform a manual driver update, the Settings app is not detailed enough. You must use the classic msinfo32 tool.

1. Click the Start Menu.
2. Begin typing the words System Information.
3. The search results will show an app with a small blue monitor icon. Click it to open.

This is a brutal, old-school spreadsheet. It is not pretty, but it contains absolutely everything. The main “System Summary” page will show your processor speed, BIOS version, BaseBoard Manufacturer (motherboard), and hypervisor status.

If you click the plus (+) icons on the left side to expand the Components menu, you can dive even deeper, finding the exact model number of your audio chip or the specific error code of a failing USB port.