How to Check Computer Configuration

Today's WikiHow teaches you how to view your computer's hardware configuration, such as processing speed or memory capacity.

On Windows

How to Check Computer Configuration Picture 1

Open Start. You can click the Windows icon located in the lower left corner of the screen or press the key ⊞ Win.

On Windows 8, hover over the upper-right corner of the screen and click the magnifying glass icon.

How to Check Computer Configuration Picture 2

Type system information(system information). The computer will start searching for files that match the results.

How to Check Computer Configuration Picture 3

Click System Information . This application has a computer image, located first on the search window. The System Information window will open.

How to Check Computer Configuration Picture 4

Click System Summary . This task is located in the upper left corner of the System Information window. You'll see your computer's configuration pop up on the right side of the window.

How to Check Computer Configuration Picture 5

See your computer's specifications. For example, you can see which processor your computer uses by looking at the information to the right of the "Processor" heading.

Another interesting piece of information here is the computer's installed RAM (random access memory).

The number to the right of the "System Type" heading represents the number of bits in the system: x64 is equivalent to 64-bit, while x86 is associated with 32-bit operating systems.

How to Check Computer Configuration Picture 6

Open Start and type device managerin. The Device Manager program will appear near the top of the Start window.

How to Check Computer Configuration Picture 7

Click Device Manager . The program logo looks like a camera next to a printer. The Device Manager window will open, from here you can check your computer's graphics card.

How to Check Computer Configuration Picture 8

Click > to the left of Display adapters . You'll see the Display adapters option near the top of the Device Manager page.

How to Check Computer Configuration Picture 9

Search for your graphics card. It will appear under Display adapters . Once you know the name and specifications of your video card, you will know which certain programs can run on your computer.

You will probably see two entries here. Any item whose processor brand matches your computer's processor (for example, Intel) is the graphics card built into the machine.

On Mac

How to Check Computer Configuration Picture 10

Click the Apple menu. This menu is shaped like an apple, located in the upper left corner of the screen.

How to Check Computer Configuration Picture 11

Click About This Mac . This option is near the top of the drop-down menu. The About This Mac window will open, all information about the Mac computer's processor, RAM and graphics unit is displayed here.

How to Check Computer Configuration Picture 12

Click System Report . This action is at the bottom of the About This Mac window. The System Report window will appear.

How to Check Computer Configuration Picture 13

Click ▼ to the left of the Hardware section. This option is in the left panel of the System Report window.

How to Check Computer Configuration Picture 14

Select the hardware category to view. Under the Hardware section , you'll see a list of the hardware that makes up your Mac; When you click on a category, the configuration of that department will appear in the panel on the right side of the System Report window.

For example, if you want to check the video card number, click Graphics/Displays .

You can click Memory to get a more general view of RAM on your Mac.

To view the processor configuration, click the Hardware section .