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How to check to see if your PC can run Windows 10

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 9:03PM EST
Windows 10 System Requirements

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It’s finally Windows 10 day, which means plenty of Windows users will receive the free operating system upgrade beginning today. Users who preregistered to download the update already know whether their machines are compatible with Windows 10. But if you haven’t checked your device, then there’s an easy way to do it.

DON’T MISS: Windows 10: Don’t panic if you haven’t received the install files yet

You’ve probably noticed that new Windows update icon popping up in the lower right corner of your desktop. Click it to activate Microsoft’s update tool, which also lets you check whether your computer is compatible.

Once opened, go to the Options button (upper right corner of the window) and select the Check your PC option from the Getting the upgrade section.

Your computer will then automatically tell you whether Windows 10 can run on your machine or not, as seen in the image below. In most cases, you should be able to run Windows 10 on your computer.

If Microsoft’s tool is not good enough for you, then you can go for a manual check. Just go to PC Info on Windows 8 (from the Start screen), or to Control Panel and then System in Windows 7, and compare the stats of your machine to the following screenshot.

 

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.