Usually we don't pay attention to what versions of various programs are running on our computers. But when we have lost a license, or we need to reinstall our programs on a new computer, then knowing what our version numbers and serial numbers becomes important. You know which version of Windows you’re running on your PC, such as Windows 10. But with so many updates coming out, do you know which version of Windows 10 is installed? You likely run many different applications on your PC but how do you keep track of their version numbers? And if you use multiple browsers, how do you keep tabs on which version of each browser is installed? Sure, you can view the settings for Windows and open each and every application and browser on your computer. But there has to be an easier and quicker way. And there is, with help from the right tools.
Certain software programs can scan your PC and tell you which version of Windows you have, which application versions you’re running, which browser versions are installed and even do a system security check to make sure your system is secure and alert you to any vulnerabilities.
Many such utilities now charge a price. But you’ll still find some good freebies out there. Belarc Advisor can display a list of all the Windows updates, security fixes, applications, and other data on your PC. WinAudit reveals detailed information on your hardware, software, and many other elements. And Webroot System Analyzer can check out your hardware, operating system, and installed applications.
Belarc Advisor
Belarc Advisor supports every version of Windows from XP to 10 and displays its data in an HTML page that you can view in any browser. Download and install the free program from the Belarc website. During the install, you’re asked to check for new Advisor security definitions. Check for these the first go-round and each time you run the program to keep it updated. The software then scans your computer and local network to create a profile of your system. Following the installation and every time you launch the application, Belarc displays a page in your default browser with details about your hardware and software.
Belarc Advisor reveals your specific version of Windows, including the build. For example, version 1803 refers to the recent Windows 10 April 2018 Update. The other information at the top covers your hardware – your computer, processor, disk drives, memory, printers, and other physical devices. Scroll down further, and Belarc Advisor tells you if you’re missing any security updates. Click on the provided link to view the specific security bulletin and download the missing update. Scroll down to the bottom of your page. Now, you can see the names and version numbers of all your installed applications, including your browsers.
WinAudit
WinAudit is a free, open source program that delivers an inventory of your hardware and software configuration. Download and run WinAudit.zip from the website of its developer Parmavex Services. Just double-click the unzipped exe file to launch the program. WinAudit scans your system to build a report of your environment.
A system overview provides a quick glimpse of your computer by displaying the name, model, serial number, memory, and hard drive capacity. Scroll down the list or click on the various categories in the left pane to see specific details on each item. The category for operating system displays your version of Windows as well as the build number, directory location, and bitness (32-bit or 64-bit). Select the category for Installed Software to see a list of each program on your computer along with the version number and other relevant data. You’ll also find other helpful pieces of information, such as user permissions and security, scheduled tasks, startup programs, and programs currently running.
You can refresh the WinAudit results by running another audit of your system. Under Options, you can choose which categories and items to include in the scan and results. To store the results separately, save the report as an HTML file, CSV file, or rich-text file. You can even export the data to a database, such as Access, Microsoft SQL Server, or MySQL.
Webroot System Analyzer
Webroot System Analyzer scans your system to detect any issues and also provides an inventory of your hardware and software. Download the program from the Webroot website. No need for installation; just run the downloaded syswranalyzerbus.exe file. Click on the Agree and Start button to launch a scan of your computer. The application checks out your operating system, hard drive setup, memory, network configuration, attached devices, and more. After the scan, System Analyzer reveals any threats or other issues it discovered. Are you low on disk space? Was any malware uncovered? Is your firewall up and running?
Click on the button to View Report Details to see all the items that were uncovered. From here, click on the button to View Full Report. The results appear in a plain text file, which is not as easy to view and use as is a more interactive report. But it provides all the key details on your PC, including your operating system, security, disk drives, memory, Windows updates, attached devices, network adapters, and services. The section for operating system displays the Windows version and build number. A section for Installed Software shows the name of each application on your computer as well as the version number and location.
When you have the information you can print it out and save it in case you need to re-install software or set up a new computer with the software you use regularly. You can still run the above programs for a system analysis and security check whenever you wish.
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