[Guide] How to identify the build of Windows NT

[mrpijey]

I am starting these series of guides to gather the member knowledge into one single forum. I've had too many questions on how to identify various builds so let's put all that info here. I will section this post into several groups, and each may have several subgroups. The groups and subgroups may change depending on the info. Members can post their answers in this thread, or PM me the info and I'll add it to this main post whenever I can. Let's try to be thorough here and be sure to post your answers in the right post - there will be three: One for Win9x, one for WinNT and one for Others. I will split or merge them further if needed.

Be sure to specify what OS/OS:es your answers are for. And don't post questions in this forum, only hard and proper facts. If possible please provide screenshots.

The above info will be edited and removed once the info pours in. I will take the liberty of removing irrelevant posts from this thread.
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Microsoft Windows NT 3.x:

Microsoft Windows NT 4.x:

Microsoft Windows 2000:

Microsoft Windows XP / Server 2003:

Microsoft Windows Vista / Server 2008 / Server 2008 R2:

Microsoft Windows 7:

[giantsteen]

Start menu
Press "Run"
Type "winver" or "cmd"

On CMD the build number is on top of prompt

Window pops up and shows the Windows Build

On a Beta Version, a watermark would be shown on the bottom right hand corner.

[mrpijey]

I should have been more clear. This guide is meant to teach members how to identify the build without the means of actually installing the OS. I.e find kernel version info etc. But you're right as well and I will include it.

However you didn't really read my post. To make proper entries I need to know what OS:es your "tip" works with. Clearly NT 3.x doesn't have any watermark tags for example... I need specifics even if they cover several OS:es (which you then specify).

[giantsteen]

I did just realize that too . You could right click on setup.exe or winsetup.dll and see the version number, no?

[mrpijey]

No guesses please. If you don't know the answer then find out before posting, otherwise questions should be posted in the support forum .

[ultrawindows]

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

- Buildlab
- BuildlabEX
- CSDBuildNumber
- CurrentBuild
- CurrentBuildNumber
- CurrentVersion

- EditionID

[The Distractor]

use the version number in the properties of ntkrnlmp.exe (for i386-based builds).
However, in NT 3.1, I think the only way is to partially install the build.
In Vista, or 7, shift+F10 inside first-phase Setup.

[motherboardlove]

Normally autorun.exe or kernal32.dll will give accurate info on the build number.

[Kenneth]

Well, the bona fide best way is to check the kernel export NtBuildNumber and NtBuildLab for later NT versions (v5.1+).

You can check the build number by using imagecfg.exe.

[Pwned]

Check properties of ntoskrnl.exe. From Longhorn 4001 to Longhorn 5048 excluding you need to use xImage to unpack install.wim first. Then just properties of ntoskrnl.exe. In Longhorn 5048 and higher - use 7-Zip to view the contents of install.wim, extract only ntoskrnl.exe and check properties.

[neonsonicboy]

winver.exe provides the full build number and string plus service pack and the image above that will tell you the system name e.g. Vista. [Only on an unmodified system]



Sorry about the image, I'm using Unity view which adds a shadow and messes it up in the Image Uploader unfortunately

[Thlump]

For all Windows Vista, 7, Server 2008 and 2008 R2 you can identify the build number by going into the iso and checking the properties of setup.exe

[Raiker]

I afraid it only applies to the original images. With Win7 we could see how wim files of one build were incorporated with installation files of previous build to be installed even before leak. So setup.exe and other installation files shouldn't be the criterion. Only opening of install.wim and comparison of key files could give the correct build without installation these days.

[Random_User]

On Microsoft Windows NT versions prior to Microsoft Windows VISTA, right-click \I386\winnt32.exe and click on properties and click on the version tab.

[Rob215]

Most accurate. Go to windows and system32.
Next go to winver, right click it and properties.
Go to the version tab and ta da!

Worked on XP, however should work on all

[Pwned]

Most accurate. Go to windows and system32.
Next go to winver, right click it and properties.
Go to the version tab and ta da!

Worked on XP, however should work on all

Sometimes' not accurate (like in NT4). Better right click ntoskrnl.exe

[Rob215]

or just run winver

[Suumpmolk]

winver is useless

[Rob215]

I can see what you mean.
It shows bulid string only!

[Accollecter]

I have a Windows Longhorn release. I downloaded it from somewhere (not here) and in the comments, some people said that it is a fake. How can I find out (without having to install it, if possible) if it actually is Longhorn and which build?

Could somebody please help me? Thank you!

[Nickmix01]

Upload your ISO image hash. Then you can compare fake or not. IMO

[Max]

You can open iso file and see what's inside, check setup.exe version...

[Accollecter]

You can open iso file and see what's inside, check setup.exe version...

Thanks, that gave me the information... It is a stupid fake. There is not much in there... Just MANY empty files that are actually named like in the real image. But if you look at them there is nothing there... That's why it was only 2MB. I don't have access to the FTP Servers from here yet, so I will have to wait until I get my ten posts, I guess.

Thanks for the quick response though, you two!

[betascollector]

Windows NT 3.1, 3.5, and 4.0 : On boot-screen, you will see the version and the memory. If you have less memory, it shows a BSOD instead!

[lhn555]

Open Windows Explorer, click on alt, click on About Windows. There. Done.