How to Check Your PC Specs on Windows: CPU, RAM, GPU, Storage and Secure Boot

The fastest safe path is this: open Settings > System > About for CPU, RAM, Windows version and system type, then open Task Manager > Performance > GPU if the question involves games, graphics drivers, external monitors or video work. Use Settings > System > Storage for free space, and System Information (msinfo32) when you need the exact PC model, BIOS Mode, Secure Boot State or TPM context.

If you are about to ask someone for help, copy only the useful parts: CPU, RAM, GPU, storage free space, Windows version, exact system model and one sentence about the problem. That gives a support helper enough context without exposing product IDs, device IDs or BitLocker details.

This guide starts with the built-in Windows tools that answer those questions without changing BIOS, TPM, Secure Boot or driver settings just to look. Near the end, it also covers a few free third-party utilities for cases where Windows does not show enough detail.

Quick Answer

Do not change firmware, TPM, CSM, Legacy BIOS, boot order or Secure Boot settings just to check your specs. First read the status from Windows. If BitLocker is enabled, make sure you have the recovery key before any firmware or Secure Boot changes.

If You Need Help, Copy These Specs

If a friend, seller, game forum or support agent asks “what PC do you have?”, do not send ten random screenshots. Send the smallest set that answers the question.

For most support conversations, this is enough:

1. Settings > System > About for CPU, RAM, Windows edition, version and system type.
2. Task Manager > Performance > GPU if the question involves games, video, AI tools, external monitors or graphics drivers. If a laptop seems to use the wrong graphics chip, use the wrong-GPU support path after you confirm which GPUs Windows sees.
3. Settings > System > Storage if the question involves installing a game/app, moving files or choosing an SSD.
4. System Information (msinfo32) > System Summary if the question involves Windows 11, Secure Boot, BIOS Mode or the exact laptop/desktop model.

For a buying or upgrade question, add one sentence of context: “I want to play CS2 at 1080p,” “I need more storage for games,” or “I want to know if this laptop can run Windows 11.” Specs without the goal often lead to bad advice.

Before sharing, crop or blur device names, product IDs, serial numbers, user names, Microsoft account email, BitLocker details and anything from the Details tab in Device Manager. The helper usually needs the model names and capacities, not your identifiers.

What Each Spec Means

Before you start clicking through Windows screens, it helps to know what you are looking for.

The most common mix-up is RAM vs storage. RAM is the workspace for programs running right now. Storage is where files live permanently. If Windows says you are low on disk space, adding RAM will not fix that. If a game says you need 16 GB of memory, it usually means system RAM, not a 16 GB SSD.

Where to Find Each Spec

Use this table when you already know what you need to find.

The screenshots below are real Windows screens or sanitized support-style captures. Identifying fields such as device names, product IDs, system IDs, user names, driver paths and security details are hidden or cropped where needed.

Method 1: Check Basic Specs in Settings

Press Windows key + I, then go to System > About.

Look for two blocks:

• Device specifications: processor, installed RAM, device name, device ID, product ID and system type.
• Windows specifications: Windows edition, version, OS build and install date.

This is the right screen when a support form asks what CPU or RAM your PC has. It is also the easiest screen to copy from, but be careful before sharing screenshots: device name, device ID and product ID can appear on the same page.

What to read from this screen:

• Processor for the CPU model.
• Installed RAM for the memory amount.
• System type for 64-bit vs 32-bit Windows.
• Edition, version and OS build when a driver, game, update or support page asks what Windows you use.

If you are asking whether the PC can run a game, this screen is only the start. You still need the GPU and sometimes VRAM from Task Manager or dxdiag.

Settings is not enough when you need the graphics card, VRAM, storage model, BIOS mode or Secure Boot state. For those, use the next tools.

Method 2: Check Free Storage Space

Open Settings > System > Storage.

This shows how much space is used and free on your main drive. If your PC has more than one drive, open Advanced storage settings and look for the option that shows storage used on other drives.

Storage is the answer when Windows says you cannot install a large game, download a file or save more photos. RAM is the answer when heavy apps slow down because there is not enough working memory. They are different problems.

If the storage section shows you are almost full and the PC still uses an old hard drive, our SSD buying guide can help with model choices later. First, confirm what you have and how much space you need.

Method 3: Use Task Manager for Live CPU, RAM and GPU Details

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, then open the Performance tab.

Task Manager is a live dashboard. It is useful when you want to know not only what hardware is installed, but also what the PC is doing right now.

Check these panels:

• CPU: processor model, current usage, speed, cores, logical processors and virtualization status on many systems.
• Memory: installed RAM, current usage, speed, slots used and form factor where available.
• Disk: drive activity and, on newer Windows builds, more drive detail on some systems.
• GPU: graphics processor name, utilization, dedicated GPU memory, shared GPU memory and driver context.

The Windows Task Manager - A Complete Guide

Use the Performance tab for a quick read. Do not use it as a perfect hardware inventory. GPU memory values can differ between Windows views, and some counters depend on the graphics driver. If you need a cleaner GPU report, use dxdiag or System Information as well.

For gaming support, this is usually the screen to capture first: CPU, Memory and GPU panels. If a game is open, capture the GPU panel while the problem is happening. A screenshot that shows the GPU name, GPU usage and dedicated GPU memory is more useful than a sentence like “my PC is good.”

Method 4: Use System Information for a Full Built-In Report

Press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.

System Information is the best built-in all-in-one report. In System Summary, look for:

• OS Name and Version
• System Manufacturer and System Model
• Processor
• Installed Physical Memory
• BIOS Mode
• Secure Boot State

For graphics details, open Components > Display. For drive and storage details, explore the storage-related component sections.

This tool is powerful, but dense. Do not expect every field to be beginner-friendly. Microsoft also notes that running System Information as administrator can improve accuracy for driver and service details. For ordinary specs, opening it normally is usually enough.

For a laptop, System Manufacturer and System Model are often the most useful lines. They tell you the exact family to search on the manufacturer’s support site. “HP laptop” or “Lenovo Ideapad” is too vague; the model line is what points to the right BIOS, drivers, RAM limits and storage layout.

Method 5: Use dxdiag for Games, GPU and DirectX

Press Windows key + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter.

The DirectX Diagnostic Tool is especially useful when a game or graphics app asks for DirectX, GPU or driver information.

Use these tabs:

• System: Windows version, processor, memory and DirectX version.
• Display: GPU name, display memory, driver model and DirectX features.
• Sound/Input: audio and input device context if you are troubleshooting game or app problems.

If you use Save All Information, review the text file before sending it to someone. A dxdiag report can include computer name, driver paths and other system details that are more than a casual support forum needs.

Also be careful with the phrase “Approx. Total Memory.” It can include shared memory on some systems. If a game asks for dedicated VRAM, compare the result with Task Manager’s GPU memory view and the GPU manufacturer’s specs when possible.

Method 6: Use Device Manager for Hardware and Drivers

Right-click the Start button and open Device Manager.

Device Manager is not the cleanest way to check specs, but it is useful when you need to know what Windows recognizes.

Helpful sections include:

• Display adapters: graphics chips/cards detected by Windows.
• Processors: CPU entries reported to Windows.
• Disk drives: storage devices visible to Windows.
• Network adapters: Wi-Fi, Ethernet and Bluetooth-related adapters.
• Sound, video and game controllers: audio devices and related drivers.

You can open a device’s Properties > Driver tab to see the driver provider, version and date. Avoid clicking Disable device, Uninstall device or random driver actions unless you are deliberately troubleshooting.

If Device Manager shows Code 28 or an unknown device after reinstalling Windows, do not start with a random driver bundle. Use the official-driver support path for Code 28 after you identify the exact device or Hardware ID.

Do not publish screenshots of the Details tab unless you have reviewed them carefully. Hardware IDs, PNP Device IDs and device instance paths can reveal more than you intend.

Check TPM and Secure Boot Safely

For Windows 11 readiness and some security/anti-cheat requirements, you may need TPM and Secure Boot status.

Start with read-only checks.

In msinfo32, check:

Important nuance: Windows 11 requirements use Secure Boot capability language. Do not read that as permission to blindly flip firmware settings. A PC can be UEFI-capable, Secure Boot-capable, Secure Boot off, or misconfigured in ways that require model-specific steps. BitLocker recovery can also be triggered by firmware and boot-setting changes.

If this check already turned into a real troubleshooting problem, use the matching support case before changing more settings: TPM disappeared after a BIOS update, BitLocker asks for a recovery key after a BIOS or Secure Boot change, or Secure Boot looks enabled in firmware but Windows says off.

For the related 2026 Secure Boot certificate transition, see our Windows Secure Boot certificate guide.

Optional Free Utilities for Deeper Specs

Most people should start with Windows Settings, Task Manager, System Information and dxdiag. They are already installed, they are safer for beginners, and they are enough for sharing basic specs with a friend, seller or support forum.

Third-party tools become useful when you need details Windows hides or spreads across too many screens: exact RAM module data, motherboard model, BIOS version, SSD health clues, GPU memory details, sensor readings or a compact report.

Optional: Read-Only PowerShell Commands

These commands read information. They do not change settings.

For a general system summary:

Get-ComputerInfo -Property OsName,OsVersion,OsBuildNumber,CsManufacturer,CsModel,CsSystemType,CsTotalPhysicalMemory,BiosFirmwareType,BiosSMBIOSBIOSVersion | Format-List

For CPU:

Get-CimInstance Win32_Processor | Select-Object Name,NumberOfCores,NumberOfLogicalProcessors,MaxClockSpeed

For system model and RAM amount:

Get-CimInstance Win32_ComputerSystem | Select-Object Manufacturer,Model,SystemType,@{Name="RAM_GB";Expression={[math]::Round($_.TotalPhysicalMemory/1GB,1)}}

For RAM modules:

Get-CimInstance Win32_PhysicalMemory | Select-Object BankLabel,Capacity,Speed,ConfiguredClockSpeed,Manufacturer,PartNumber

For storage devices:

Get-CimInstance Win32_DiskDrive | Select-Object Model,InterfaceType,MediaType,Size

For graphics:

Get-CimInstance Win32_VideoController | Select-Object Name,AdapterRAM,DriverVersion

For TPM:

Get-Tpm

For Secure Boot, use this only if you understand that it requires PowerShell as administrator and UEFI:

Confirm-SecureBootUEFI

Older guides often use wmic. Microsoft treats WMIC as legacy/deprecated, so use PowerShell and CIM commands for new instructions.

If You Are Checking Specs for a Game or App

Game and app requirements usually map to Windows fields like this:

If your laptop shows both Intel/AMD integrated graphics and an NVIDIA/AMD/Intel Arc dedicated GPU, the game may use one or the other depending on Windows graphics settings, power mode and driver control panels. Seeing two GPUs is normal on many gaming and creator laptops.

What to Blur Before Sharing Screenshots

If you are sending screenshots to support or posting them online, hide:

• device name, computer name, system name and user name;
• device ID, product ID, serial numbers and service tags;
• Microsoft account name or email;
• hardware IDs, PNP Device IDs and device instance paths;
• driver file paths if they contain a user profile name;
• BitLocker recovery information, TPM certificate/key screens or security ownership details.

A clean screenshot of the CPU model or RAM amount is usually enough. A full dxdiag or msinfo32 export can contain much more data than a support helper needs.

If the helper asks for an export, send it privately where possible, not as a public forum attachment. Open the file first and search for your computer name, user name, product ID and serial-like fields. If you would not want that text indexed by search engines, do not post it publicly.

Why Different Windows Tools Show Different Numbers

Do not panic if two screens do not look identical.

Task Manager is a live performance view. Settings is a simple summary. System Information is a broader inventory. dxdiag focuses on DirectX, graphics and drivers. Device Manager shows devices and drivers Windows recognizes.

Common examples:

• VRAM looks different: dxdiag may show approximate total graphics memory, while Task Manager separates dedicated and shared GPU memory.
• Storage looks smaller than advertised: drive makers use decimal units, Windows displays usable formatted capacity differently, and some space is reserved.
• RAM speed looks unexpected: laptops and desktops can run memory below rated kit speed depending on BIOS settings, CPU support and module mix.
• GPU 0 and GPU 1 appear: many laptops have integrated graphics plus a dedicated GPU.
• Secure Boot says Off or Unsupported: the PC may be in Legacy BIOS mode, Secure Boot may be disabled, or the firmware may need model-specific configuration.

If the goal is only to share basic specs, use Settings first. If the goal is compatibility or troubleshooting, gather the exact screen that matches the question.

Before You Touch Firmware

For normal spec-checking, you should not need to enter BIOS/UEFI at all. Read from Windows first, take the screenshots you need, and only then decide whether a firmware change is actually part of the problem.

Use Microsoft’s own guidance as the tiebreaker for anything that can affect boot or encryption: TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and BitLocker recovery keys.

The safe order is simple: read first, screenshot second, back up recovery keys, change firmware last.