Extracting Information about your Windows 8 Computer System

There are a number of utility software packages that can gather information about your hardware and software. Windows operating systems contain a System Information application. Below are three additional free tools that can help you analyze your computer.

PC Wizard 2013

System Information for Windows – no longer free: $9.99

Speccy – hardware information tool

You can use any software tool, including the three above or using the System Information application found under Accessories / System Tools, to determine the information I am requesting about your computer. If you are going to use the System Information tool delivered by Microsoft with its operating systems, then you should click on the Start button, select All Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Information.

  • Tell me if you have a desktop, a notebook, a netbook, or a tablet computer
  • To get information about your operating system, processor, and memory:
  • Click Win key + X to open the Power Users Menu
  • Click on System in the pop-up menu
  • From the basic information about your computer, extract the following information:
  • Windows edition
  • System type
  • Computer name
  • Processor
  • Installedmemory
  • Click on the Advanced system settings
  • Click on the Advanced tab in this window
  • In the Performance area, click on the Settings button
  • In the Performance Options window, clicked on the Advanced tab
  • Form the Virtual memory area, record the Total paging file size for all drives
  • To get information about your disk drives – go to Windows Start / Search (magnifying glass) and type in msinfo.exe
  • Click on the msinfo.exe 1 app
  • Expand the Components section (click on the +) and Expand Storage and click on Drives. For each drive extract the following:
  • Drive
  • Type (Description) – local, external, thumbdrive
  • Capacity (Size)
  • Free Space
  • Type of Filesystem – Fat32, NTFS
  • Windows Experience Index – Windows 7 and Windows 8 definitely have this available
  • Use Win key + X, select Control Panel and then Performance Information and Tools
  • For Windows 8.1 use Search, type in Windows Experience Index for Windows 8.1 and then follow the instructions (if it seems too laborious, skip this section)
  • List the lowest rating and which component had this rating
  • List the highest rating and which component had this rating
  • For information regarding what this Windows Experience Index represents see
  • To get information about your video card and display:
  • Use Win key + X to bring up the Power Users Menu
  • Select the Device Manager option
  • Click on Display adapters
  • Record the name of your video card
  • Use Win key + X / Control Panel / Display
  • Click on Adjust Screen Resolution
  • Record the Display field
  • Record the Resolution field
  • Click on the Advanced settings link – may not find any Colors in Windows 8.1
  • Under the Monitor tab, find your Colors: choice
  • Click on Personalization under the left pane
  • Click on the Screen Saver link and list your screen saver name
  • Click on the Change power settings link
  • Click on the Choose when to turn off the display link and list the options you have chosen for the Turn off the display and Put the computer to sleep
  • Measure the size of your screen
  • Tell me whether you have a flat panel or a CRT (sticks out in back over 12 inches)
  • Measure the screen diagonally (only include from upper left corner of displayedwindow to the lower right corner)
  • Describe your mouse and keyboard
  • Are either wireless (IR or radio based)?
  • Mouse is two or three button
  • Mouse provides a scroll wheel
  • Keyboard normally has 84 keys for notebook, 104 for desktop
  • Additional buttons on your keyboard - describe the purpose for at least two of these specialized buttons
  • Straight across or U-shaped (ergonomic) keyboard
  • Describe your printer
  • Its type
  • Ink supplies
  • Photo capable?
  • Describe your ISP vendor and connection characteristics
  • ISP vendor name
  • Download speed – connect to a online speed test web site. You can connect to to help determine your download and upload speed. Compare these speeds against what your ISP publishes as their download and upload speeds,
  • Upload speed
  • Application and Utility Software
  • When listing the version number, please use the help menu to find the actual software version. Office 2010 is not a version, it is a product name.
  • Determine the version of MS Word you have on your computer
  • Word 2010
  • Click the File menu item
  • Click Word Options button at bottom of dialog window
  • Click on Resources in the left panel
  • Click the About button
  • Record the version number (mine says 14.0.6122.5000) and whether it is part of a MS Office edition such as Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007
  • Word 2013
  • Click the File menu item
  • Click Account button near bottom of dialog window
  • Click the About Word button
  • Record the version number (mine says 15.0.4420.1017) and whether it is part of a MS Office edition such as Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2013
  • Determine your Anti-Virus package
  • Record the name and the version
  • Record the name and version of one more application you have on your computer. If you cannot think of another application then use MS Paint. You can use Win key + W, select applications, and type in Paint. Click on the Paint item to open it. Once inside Paint, click the File menu item, then the About Paint drop-down menu item. Record the version.

Last modified –8/6/2014

John North1CIT120