Alternatively called msinfo32, System Information is an executable file first included with Microsoft Windows 98 and included with all versions of Windows since then. This program gives Windows users a comprehensive listing of the computer specifications (specs), including hardware, resources, software, and Internet settings.
How to open System Information in Windows
Windows 11 users
On the Windows taskbar, click the magnifying glass icon. In the text field at the top of the search window, type msinfo32 and press Enter.
How to open System Information in Windows.
What does Windows System Information look like?
What is shown in System Information?
System Summary
Hardware Resources
Components
Software Environment
System information tools.
Related information.
System Summary
Hardware Resources
Components
Software Environment
Windows 8 and Windows 10 users
Click Start or press the Windows key, type msinfo32 or system information, and press Enter.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users
Click Start and search for system information.
Windows XP, Windows ME, and Windows 98 users
Click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and System Information. Alternatively, you can open Run, type winmsd, and press Enter.
What does Windows System Information look like?
Below is an example picture of what the Microsoft System Information window may look like on your computer.
What is shown in System Information?
Below is a complete overview of what the Windows System Information window can display, with links to related pages.
System Summary
The opening System Summary has a helpful summary of the overall computer, as shown in our example below.
The following information was exported from System Information running on Windows 10 and then moved to tables for better online viewing. We’ve also added links to help explain the terminology used in this utility.
In the System Summary, you also have the following three subcategories.
Hardware Resources
The Hardware Resources category contains the computer’s hardware resource properties.
- Hardware Resources
- Components
- Software Environment
In the Hardware Resources category, you have the following subcategories.
If you want to identify the type of hardware and its other attributes in the computer, see the Components category.
Conflicts/Sharing
The Conflicts/Sharing subcategory lists all I/O ports, memory addresses, and IRQs that are being shared or are conflicting on the computer. Because this list can be extensive, we’ve listed only a few entries to keep our example short.
- Conflicts/Sharing
- DMA
- Forced Hardware
- I/O
- IRQs
- Memory
DMA
The DMA subcategory displays all DMA resources and status.
Forced Hardware
The Forced Hardware subcategory displays any hardware devices with forced settings. The screen is empty if no hardware has forced settings.
I/O
The I/O subcategory displays all I/O resources and the devices using them. Because this list can be extensive, we’ve only listed the first five lines to keep our example short.
IRQs
The IRQs subcategory lists all IRQs, the device name using each IRQ, and its status. Because this list can be extensive, we’ve only listed the first five lines to keep our example short.
Memory
The Memory subcategory lists the memory address resources, the devices using those resources, and their status. Because this list can be extensive, we’ve only listed the first five lines to keep our example short.
Components
The Components category contains all information about the components and hardware detected in a computer. In this category, you have the following subcategories.
Multimedia
The Multimedia subcategory lists each of the audio and video codecs installed on the computer with file location, version, size, and date created.
- Multimedia
- CD-ROM
- Sound Device
- Display
- Infrared
- Input
- Modem
- Network
- Ports
- Storage
- Printing
- Problem Devices
- USB
CD-ROM
The CD-ROM subcategory displays CD-ROM, DVD, and other disc drives installed and detected by Windows. Below is an example of information found in this subcategory.
Sound Device
The Sound Device subcategory lists detected sound cards and other audio devices with associated drivers, as shown in the example below.
Display
The Display subcategory lists detected video cards and other display adapters with associated drivers and resources, as shown in the example below.
Infrared
The Infrared subcategory lists all detected Infrared adapters and devices.
Input
The Input subcategory contains input device information. In this subcategory, you have the following additional subcategories.
Keyboard
The Keyboard subcategory lists all keyboard devices with driver information, as shown below.
- Keyboard
- Pointing Device
Pointing Device
The Pointing Device subcategory lists all mouse and other pointing devices detected by the computer, as shown below.
Modem
The Modem subcategory lists all internal and external dial-up modems that are detected.
Network
The Network subcategory contains information about the installed network adapters, protocols, and WinSock. In this subcategory, you have the following additional subcategories.
Adapter
The Adapter subcategory lists all network-related adapters, including wired and wireless adapters, with their IP address and other network information with drivers and other information. Because this list can be extensive, we’ve only listed one adapter as an example.
- Adapter
- Protocol
- WinSock
Protocol
The Protocol subcategory lists all the communication protocols installed on the computer. Many of these protocols are network-related. However, there are also protocols listed for Bluetooth devices. Because this list can be extensive, we’ve only listed one protocol as an example.
WinSock
The WinSock subcategory lists installed Winsock drivers.
Ports
The Ports category contains the Serial and Parallel subcategories that list detected serial port devices and parallel port devices.
Storage
The Storage category contains the four subcategories below, all related to the interfaces and devices used to store data on your computer.
Drives
The Device subcategory lists each drive letter, file system, and size information.
- Drives
- Disks
- SCSI
- IDE
Disks
The Disks subcategory gives more details about each detected drive, including manufacturer, model, interface, and partition information. In this section, you find information about your hard drive or SSD, including its capacity (size).
If you’re looking for a drive manufacturer, model, and more specific details, see the Disks subcategory below.
SCSI
The SCSI subcategory displays SCSI adapters and driver information.
IDE
The IDE subcategory displays IDE/SATA interface information.
Printing
The Printing subcategory displays all local and networked connected printers and any printer utilities. Below are examples of how the printers may be shown.
Problem Devices
The Problem Devices subcategory lists any devices that are encountering problems.
USB
The USB subcategory displays all USB host controllers.
Software Environment
The Software Environment category contains the following remaining subcategories, all related to the software installed and running on the computer.
This section does not display the USB devices connected to those controllers.
System Drivers
The System Drivers subcategory lists the system drivers installed on the computer and their location and status. Because this list can be extensive, we’ve only listed one driver as an example in a vertical format. In the System Information window, each driver is listed in 11 horizontal columns.
- System Drivers
- Environment Variables
- Print Jobs
- Network Connections
- Running Tasks
- Loaded Modules
- Services
- Program Groups
- Startup Programs
- OLE Registration
- Windows Error Reporting
Environment Variables
The Environment Variables subcategory lists the system environment variables and their values. Because this list can be extensive, we’ve only listed the first five variables.
- What are the default environment variables in Windows?
- How to set the path and environment variables in Windows.
Print Jobs
The Print Jobs subcategory displays all print jobs currently in the printer print queue. If there are no print jobs, this subcategory is blank.
Network Connections
The Network Connections subcategory displays any detected network connections to your computer.
Running Tasks
The Running Tasks subcategory lists all the running tasks when the System Information window was opened.
You can find better network connections and activity results in the Resource Monitor.
Loaded Modules
The Loaded Modules subcategory displays all modules installed on the computer with version, manufacturer, and file path information.
To get a live view of running tasks, use Task Manager.
Services
The Services subcategory lists all of the Windows services on the computer and whether they’re running or not running.
Program Groups
The Program Groups subcategory lists all the program groups shown in the Start menu.
Startup Programs
The Startup Programs subcategory provides a full list of all programs that start up each time your computer starts, with their file location.
OLE Registration
The OLE Registration subcategory displays all OLE registrations on the system.
Windows Error Reporting
The Windows Error Reporting subcategory lists system errors that have occurred, when they occurred, and their details.
System information tools
In early versions of the System Information Tools drop-down menu, you could access other helpful Windows utilities as shown below. This option was discontinued on more recent versions of Windows.
Use the Windows Event Viewer to get a better list and understanding of errors and Windows events.
- Windows Report Tool - Tool used by technicians and engineers to take a snapshot of your computer to help better troubleshoot and diagnose your computer.
- Update Wizard Uninstall - When updating through Microsoft’s update wizard, use this utility to convert back to the previous system files. Taking this action helps if the update did not complete successfully or caused unforeseen issues.
- System File Checker - Check the integrity of the hard drive. If a file is missing or corrupt, this tool can restore it.
- Signature Verification Tool - Used to verify files or drives on your computer with the Microsoft digital signature.
- Registry Checker - Tool used to check your registry for errors and make additional backups.
- Automatic Skip Driver Agent - Searches the hard drive for ASD (automatic start drivers) that prevents the computer from starting and optionally disables those drivers.
- Dr. Watson - Diagnostic tool to detect problems or your computer with a resolution to the problem.
- System Configuration Utility (msconfig.exe) - A beneficial program that lets you take lines out of your autoexec.bat, config.sys, win.ini, system.ini, and items from loading up automatically by unchecking a box.
- ScanDisk - Normal ScanDisk program to check your hard drive for errors.
- Version Conflict Manager - If older files are found during installing programs, they are backed up. The Version Conflict Manager lets you restore the original files if you run into problems after installing programs.
Msconfig, MSD, Operating system terms
Related information
- How to find hardware and other computer specifications.
