How to Check Your PC Specs, GPU Model and BIOS Version on Windows 11

You can see your processor, memory, graphics card and BIOS version on Windows 11 without installing anything. The fastest route is Settings > System > About for the basics, then Task Manager for the GPU model and System Information for the BIOS version. This guide suits any Windows 11 desktop or laptop, including 24H2 and 25H2 builds, and takes five to ten minutes. Knowing these details helps when you check game requirements, pick a driver or look up a BIOS update.

Quick Answer

• Press Win+I, open System > About, and read processor, installed RAM and system type under Device specifications.
• Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc, open Performance > GPU, and read the graphics card name and dedicated memory.
• Press Win+R, type msinfo32, and read BIOS Version/Date on the System Summary page.
• For a full report, run dxdiag and click Save All Information.

Before You Start

Everything in this guide only reads information, so there is no risk to your files or settings. You do not need administrator rights for most of it, though a standard account may be blocked from some tools on managed work or school PCs.

Use the exact model names shown here when you search for drivers or BIOS updates. A small difference, such as a different suffix on a graphics card or a laptop model with a letter at the end, can mean a different download. If you plan to update the BIOS afterward, be aware that a flash that loses power can leave a PC unable to start, so use a laptop charger or a stable power connection and follow your manufacturer’s instructions exactly.

Laptops often have two graphics processors: a small integrated one in the processor and a dedicated one for games. Windows may display the integrated one in some tools, so the steps below point out where the dedicated card appears. Also note that Windows 11 builds shuffle some menu labels over time; if a menu looks different, search the Settings box for the page name.

Method 1: Settings and Task Manager (Fastest)

This covers the processor, memory, storage and graphics card in one short session.

1. Press Win+I to open Settings, then go to System and scroll to About.
2. Under Device specifications, read Device name, Processor, Installed RAM, System type (64-bit operating system, x64-based processor) and sometimes Graphics card. Click Copy to put it all on the clipboard so you can paste it into a support ticket or forum post.
3. Scroll to Windows specifications to read the edition, version (for example 24H2) and OS build.
4. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. If you see the compact view, click More details, then open the Performance page.
5. Select GPU in the left list (it is usually near the bottom). The graphics card model appears at the top right, with Dedicated GPU memory (the real video memory), Shared GPU memory and the driver version and date below. On a laptop you may see GPU 0 and GPU 1; the one that lists a gaming card name is the dedicated adapter.
6. Select Memory to read speed, slots used, and form factor, and select Disk entries to see model names and whether each is an SSD or HDD.

Why it works: these panels read directly from Windows’ hardware inventory, so they match what the operating system actually uses. If Task Manager does not list a GPU page, the graphics driver may be missing or a basic Microsoft driver may be in use; install the driver from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel.

Method 2: System Information and DirectX Diagnostic Tool (BIOS and Detail)

Use these built-in tools when you need the BIOS version, motherboard model or a complete report.

1. Press Win+R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. System Information opens on System Summary.
2. Read BIOS Version/Date. It shows the maker, version number and release date, such as an American Megatrends or Insyde entry followed by a version and date. Just beneath it, BIOS Mode shows UEFI or Legacy.
3. Also read BaseBoard Manufacturer, BaseBoard Product and System Model. On a desktop with a custom build, the BaseBoard Product is the motherboard model you need for BIOS downloads. On a prebuilt PC or laptop, use the System Model.
4. Check Secure Boot State and Virtualization-based security lines if you need them for game anti-cheat or Windows 11 requirements; this page only reports status.
5. In System Information, expand Components > Display to see the adapter name, driver version and adapter RAM for each graphics card.
6. Press Win+R again, type dxdiag, and press Enter. If asked about checking drivers, you can answer either way. Open the System tab for processor, memory and DirectX version.
7. Open the Display tab for the GPU name, Dedicated Memory (video memory), Display Memory (dedicated plus shared), the driver version and date, and Feature Levels. On a hybrid laptop, the second Render tab typically shows the discrete card.
8. Click Save All Information to export a text file you can attach to a support request.

Why it works: System Information reads the firmware tables the BIOS provides, which is why it is the dependable place for BIOS version and date. If you want a report for the whole machine, File > Export in System Information saves a text file.

Method 3: PowerShell for Copy-and-Paste Details

PowerShell is useful when you want text you can paste, or if the graphical tools are blocked.

1. Right-click the Start button and choose Terminal (or Windows Terminal). A PowerShell tab opens by default.
2. For BIOS details, enter: Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object Manufacturer, SMBIOSBIOSVersion, ReleaseDate
3. For the graphics card name and driver, enter: Get-CimInstance Win32_VideoController | Select-Object Name, DriverVersion, VideoProcessor
4. For the processor, enter: Get-CimInstance Win32_Processor | Select-Object Name, NumberOfCores, NumberOfLogicalProcessors
5. For memory modules, enter: Get-CimInstance Win32_PhysicalMemory | Select-Object Manufacturer, Capacity, Speed, ConfiguredClockSpeed

A caution on video memory: the AdapterRAM field in this class is stored as a 32-bit number and cannot report more than 4 GB correctly, so it can show the wrong amount for modern cards. Read video memory from Task Manager or dxdiag instead. Newer builds of Windows have also deprecated the older wmic command, so use the CIM commands above rather than relying on it.

If It Did Not Work

• Graphics card shows as “Microsoft Basic Display Adapter”: no vendor driver is installed. Open Device Manager > Display adapters, note the hardware ID under the device’s Details tab, and install the current driver from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel, or from your laptop maker.
• Only the integrated GPU shows: the dedicated card may be disabled in the BIOS, not seated, or missing its driver. Open Device Manager and look for a device with a warning icon, and check the BIOS for options labeled integrated graphics priority or primary display.
• msinfo32 reports “Not available” for some lines: that is a firmware or virtualization limit. Try running System Information as administrator, and check the manufacturer’s tool for the same data.
• BIOS version looks old but the PC works well: that is not an error. Check the support page for your exact board or laptop model and read the release notes before updating, because not every update is relevant.
• dxdiag shows a different GPU than expected: on laptops with hybrid graphics, click through the Display and Render tabs. The discrete card may only appear under Render.
• A command in PowerShell says it is not recognized: make sure you typed it without line breaks, or open the tab labeled Windows PowerShell and try again.

Common Questions

How do I check my PC’s GPU model quickly?

Open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc, go to Performance, and select GPU. The model name sits at the top right of that page, and the driver details are listed beneath the graph.

How do I find my BIOS version without restarting?

Press Win+R, type msinfo32, and read the BIOS Version/Date line on System Summary. The same information appears from PowerShell using Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS, so you never need to enter the BIOS screen just to read the version.

Is “Display Memory” the same as VRAM?

No. In dxdiag, Display Memory combines dedicated video memory with shared system memory, while Dedicated Memory is the actual VRAM on the card. For game requirements, use the Dedicated Memory figure.

Do I need third-party tools to see my specs?

Not for the basics. Windows already covers processor, RAM, storage, graphics and BIOS. Third-party tools are only needed for sensor readings such as temperatures and fan speeds, which Task Manager does not fully provide.

Why does my RAM show a lower speed than the box?

Memory often runs at a default speed until you enable XMP, EXPO or DOCP in the BIOS. Check the memory speed in Task Manager, then enable the profile if your motherboard manual recommends it; this is an overclock, so keep your BIOS settings written down.

Update History

• October 14, 2026 – Initial publication; steps checked against Windows 11 24H2/25H2 and current driver releases.
• Menus can differ slightly by Windows build, BIOS vendor and driver version; check your own screens against the steps.

Sources

• Microsoft documentation and support pages for Windows Settings, Task Manager, System Information and the DirectX Diagnostic Tool
• Microsoft documentation for the Win32_BIOS and Win32_VideoController CIM classes
• NVIDIA, AMD and Intel support pages for identifying graphics drivers
• Motherboard and laptop vendor manuals for BIOS identification and update notes