Your computer’s processor (CPU) is the heart of your PC — it determines how fast programs run, how efficiently your system multitasks, and how well it handles gaming, editing, or productivity tasks.
If you’re running Windows 11, knowing what processor you have can help you make better upgrade, troubleshooting, and performance decisions.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through how to find out what processor you have in Windows 11 — using built-in tools like Settings, Task Manager, Command Prompt, PowerShell, and System Information.
By the end, you’ll know exactly what CPU your system uses, its speed, and core count.
🧭 Quick Overview
| Method | Tool | Difficulty | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Settings app | ⭐ | ✅ Fast | Beginners |
| 2 | Task Manager | ⭐⭐ | ✅ Fast | Real-time info |
| 3 | System Information | ⭐⭐ | ⚡ Medium | Detailed specs |
| 4 | Command Prompt | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⚙️ Advanced users | |
| 5 | PowerShell | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⚙️ Scripting and automation | |
| 6 | Device Manager | ⭐⭐ | 🔍 Hardware management | |
| 7 | BIOS/UEFI | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🧠 Advanced details |
🧠 Why You Should Know Your Processor
Your CPU type affects almost everything your PC does — from how smoothly it runs Windows 11 to whether it can handle new games or apps.
Here’s why it’s important to check your processor:
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🧩 System Compatibility: Some apps and features require specific CPUs (e.g., Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 and modern CPUs).
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⚙️ Upgrade Planning: Helps you decide if your system needs a CPU or motherboard upgrade.
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🎮 Performance Monitoring: Useful for checking if your CPU can handle gaming or editing workloads.
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🧾 Troubleshooting: Helps diagnose bottlenecks or slow performance.
🪜 Step 1: Check Your Processor in Windows 11 Settings
The easiest way to find your CPU model is through the Settings app.
✅ Steps:
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Press Windows + I to open Settings.
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Click System → About.
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Under the Device specifications section, look for Processor.
You’ll see details such as:
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CPU Brand (e.g., Intel, AMD, Qualcomm)
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Model (e.g., Intel Core i7-13700K, AMD Ryzen 7 5800X)
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Clock speed (e.g., 3.40 GHz)
💡 Tip: You can also copy these specs using the Copy button to share them with support or for research.
🪜 Step 2: Check CPU in Task Manager (Real-Time Info)
If you want live CPU details like usage, speed, and core count, the Task Manager is your best option.
✅ Steps:
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Right-click the Taskbar and select Task Manager.
(Or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc) -
Click the Performance tab.
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Select CPU on the left panel.
🧾 You’ll see:
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Processor name and number
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Base and current speed (GHz)
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Number of cores and logical processors (threads)
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L1/L2/L3 cache sizes
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CPU utilization graph
This gives a real-time view of how your CPU performs during tasks.
⚡ Pro Tip: Hover over the CPU graph to see your processor’s socket type — useful when upgrading.
🪜 Step 3: Use System Information for Detailed Specs
The System Information utility provides the most complete overview of your hardware and OS.
✅ Steps:
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Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
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Type
msinfo32and press Enter. -
In the System Summary, find Processor.
You’ll get:
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CPU name and generation
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Core count and architecture
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Hyper-threading status
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Installed RAM, BIOS version, and more
🧠 Example Output:
This method is perfect if you need to export or print system information.
🪜 Step 4: Use Command Prompt to Find CPU Info
If you prefer command-line tools, Command Prompt can quickly show your processor type and speed.
✅ Steps:
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Press Windows + S, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.
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Enter the following command:
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Press Enter.
🧾 Example Output:
You can also run:
to display the number of cores and threads.
⚙️ Note: WMIC is deprecated but still works on most Windows 11 versions.
🪜 Step 5: Use PowerShell to Get Processor Details
PowerShell offers more flexibility than Command Prompt for retrieving system information.
✅ Steps:
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Right-click Start → select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
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Run this command:
🧾 Example Output:
This shows you model, core count, thread count, and clock speed — all in one neat line.
💡 Pro Tip: Save this output to a text file using
Out-Fileto document system specs.
🪜 Step 6: Check Processor in Device Manager
Device Manager provides another simple way to view CPU details — especially if you suspect hardware issues.
✅ Steps:
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Press Windows + X → select Device Manager.
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Expand the Processors category.
You’ll see each CPU core listed individually (e.g., 12 entries for a 12-core CPU).
Right-click any entry → Properties → Details tab → choose Hardware Ids to get chip-level info.
🧩 Why useful: It confirms that your processor is properly recognized by Windows.
🪜 Step 7: Check CPU Info in BIOS/UEFI
For low-level details like CPU voltage, frequency, and temperature, check your BIOS/UEFI.
✅ Steps:
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Restart your computer.
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During boot, press Del, Esc, F2, or F10 (depends on your PC brand).
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Once inside BIOS/UEFI, find the CPU Information or System Information tab.
You’ll see:
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CPU model and base clock
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Core count and thread count
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Voltage and temperature
⚠️ Note: Don’t change BIOS settings unless you’re experienced.
🪜 Step 8: Use Third-Party Tools (Optional)
If you want more detailed insights — like CPU temperature, power draw, and cache hierarchy — third-party tools are excellent options.
🧰 Recommended Tools:
| Tool | Features | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| CPU-Z | Core speed, cache, socket info | Free |
| Speccy | Full hardware summary | Free / Paid |
| HWiNFO | Advanced real-time monitoring | Free |
| Core Temp | Per-core temperature monitoring | Free |
🧠 Tip: CPU-Z is particularly useful for identifying exact CPU generation and technology (e.g., 10nm, 7nm, etc.)
🧩 Understanding Your Processor Name and Specs
Here’s how to read your CPU’s name and understand what it means.
Example:
Intel Core i7-13700K
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Intel Core | Brand |
| i7 | Performance tier |
| 13 | Generation (13th Gen) |
| 700 | SKU model number |
| K | Unlocked (overclockable) |
For AMD CPUs:
AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen | Brand |
| 7 | Performance tier |
| 5 | Generation (5000 series) |
| 800X | Model identifier |
| X | Higher performance variant |
Understanding this helps when comparing CPUs or planning upgrades.
🧮 How to Check If Your Processor Supports Windows 11
Microsoft requires a compatible CPU to install Windows 11.
You can verify this quickly.
✅ Steps:
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Visit Microsoft’s official CPU compatibility list.
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Find your processor model (Intel, AMD, or Qualcomm).
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If listed — your PC is officially supported.
Alternatively, use the PC Health Check App:
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Download from Microsoft’s website.
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Run the tool → it will confirm Windows 11 compatibility.
🧠 Bonus Tip: Check CPU Temperature and Usage
Keeping track of CPU temperature helps maintain performance and prevent overheating.
✅ Steps:
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Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → open Task Manager → Performance → CPU.
(Some builds show temperature directly.) -
Or install Core Temp or HWiNFO for accurate readings.
🌡️ Normal CPU temperatures:
Idle: 30°C–45°C
Gaming or heavy load: 70°C–85°C
⚙️ Common Processor Terms Explained
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Core | Individual processing unit within a CPU |
| Thread | Virtual core that handles tasks |
| Clock Speed (GHz) | How fast your CPU performs instructions |
| Cache | On-chip memory for faster data access |
| Turbo Boost / Precision Boost | Temporary speed increase for demanding tasks |
| TDP | Power consumption (Thermal Design Power) |
🔍 Compare Your CPU to Others (Optional)
Once you know your CPU, you can check its performance vs others.
Websites to Compare CPUs:
Simply type your CPU model to view performance scores, gaming benchmarks, and price comparisons.
🧾 Summary: All Ways to Check Your Processor in Windows 11
| Method | Shortcut / Command | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Settings | Windows + I → System → About | Basic CPU name & speed |
| Task Manager | Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Performance → CPU | Live usage, cores, threads |
| System Info | Run → msinfo32 | Detailed CPU & hardware data |
| Command Prompt | wmic cpu get name | CPU name only |
| PowerShell | Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_Processor | Full CPU specs |
| Device Manager | devmgmt.msc | Hardware list |
| BIOS/UEFI | Boot-time | Voltage, clock speed, temperature |
🧩 Troubleshooting: When CPU Info Isn’t Displayed Correctly
| Issue | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| CPU name shows “Unknown Processor” | Outdated BIOS | Update BIOS firmware |
| Wrong speed displayed | Power-saving mode | Disable “Eco” mode or check Task Manager |
| Missing cores | Virtualization or BIOS setting off | Enable all cores in BIOS |
| PC running slow despite strong CPU | Overheating or background tasks | Clean cooling system, check temperature |
🧠 Final Thoughts
Knowing how to find out what processor you have in Windows 11 is a key part of understanding your PC’s performance.
Whether you’re checking compatibility, upgrading components, or just curious — Windows 11 gives you plenty of easy ways to view CPU details.
To recap:
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Use Settings → About for a quick overview.
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Use Task Manager for real-time data.
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Use System Information or PowerShell for full specs.
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Use third-party tools like CPU-Z for deeper insights.
By following the steps above, you can confidently identify your CPU model, monitor performance, and make smarter upgrade decisions.
🧰 FAQs: How to Find Out What Processor I Have in Windows 11
1. What is the shortcut to check my processor in Windows 11?
There’s no direct shortcut, but you can press Windows + I → System → About to instantly view your CPU info.
2. How do I find out how many cores my processor has?
Open Task Manager → Performance → CPU — you’ll see “Cores” and “Logical processors.”
3. Can I check CPU details using Command Prompt?
Yes. Run:
4. What’s the difference between cores and threads?
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Cores are physical units that execute tasks.
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Threads are virtual lanes that allow multitasking.
5. Where can I find CPU temperature in Windows 11?
You can view it using HWiNFO, Core Temp, or your BIOS.