Synopsis:
How can I tell what operating system I have? How can I upgrade and what are the system requirements?

Solution:
The OIT Help Desk will ask what operating system your computer is running in order to solve your computing problem. For help finding out which version of Windows you are running, use the instructions below.

Windows 7
Click the Start menu
In the Start Search field type the command winver

Windows Vista
Click the Vista Start menu

In the Start Search field type the command winver to see the version of Vista on your computer. It will be one of the following:

• Vista Enterprise
• Vista Business
• Vista Home Premium
• Vista Home Basic

For a comparison of the different Vista operating systems, see Microsoft's web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/default.mspx

For OIT support levels for the different Vista operating systems, as well as OIT recommended hardware requirements for Vista, see:
Microsoft Vista and Office 2007 at Princeton University

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Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) is an upgrade for the Windows XP system that installs a number of critical security features, including a firewall and protection against potentially harmful attachments and downloads. All faculty, staff, and students with Windows XP computers should upgrade to SP2 as soon as possible. To upgrade, see the following instructions: How to upgrade your Windows operating system to SP2. Hardware requirements are the same as those listed below for Windows 2000.

Windows XP
Click on the Start button. Pull up to Run... and type winver into the Open field. Click OK. The version of Windows you are running will be notated below in the version history.

If installing Windows XP Professional, Microsoft suggests a minimum of:

• Pentium II 300 mhz CPU
• 128 megs of RAM
• 1.5 gig hard drive space

Microsoft offers a Windows XP Upgrade Advisor at the URL: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp

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Windows 2000
Click on the Start button. Pull up to Run... and type winver into the Open field. Click OK. The version of Windows you are running will be notated below in the version history.

Previous versions of the Windows operating system will provide at least basic network connectivity and functionality for PCs on the Princeton network. For Windows 2000, Microsoft suggests a minimum of:

• Pentium II 200 mhz or faster CPU (Pentium 166 mhz minimum)
• 96 to 128 megs RAM
• 2 gig hard drive space

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For WindowsMe (Millenium Edition), Microsoft suggests a minimum of:

• Pentium 150 mhz or better CPU
• 32 megs RAM
• 480-645 megs hard drive space

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History of Windows operating system versions
For help finding out which version of Windows you are running, click on the Start button. Pull up to Run... and type winver into the Open field. Click OK. The version of Windows you are running will be notated below in this version history. It will be one of the following:

• Windows 7
• Windows Vista SP2 (Service Pack 2)
• Windows Vista SP1 (Service Pack 1)
• Windows Vista
• Windows XP SP2 (Service Pack 2)
• Windows XP
• Windows XP Home
• Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 2 available)
• Windows Millenium (ME)
• Windows NT
• Windows 98 Second Edition - 32-Bit Windows
• Windows 98 4.10.1998 - 32-Bit Windows (English)
• Windows 95c OSR 2.5 - 32-Bit Windows (English)
• Windows 95b OSR 2.1 and OSR 2.0 - 32-Bit Windows (English)
• Windows 95a OSR 1 - 32-Bit Windows (English)
• Windows 95 4.00.950 - 32-Bit Windows (English)
• Windows for Workgroups 3.11 - 16-Bit Windows (English)
• Windows 3.1 - 16-Bit Windows (English)