How to determine your service pack level

Right-click on My Computer (either on your Desktop or Start Menu) and select Properties on the pop-up menu. On the General tab under System you will find your version of Windows and your service pack level, if any. You can also determine the service pack level, version, and other information about your Windows installation using winver:

Vista

Go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories and select Run. In the edit field in the Run box enter "winver" (without the quotes) and press the enter key on your keyboard or select OK.

Windows 2000, XP, 2003

Go to Start and select Run. In the edit field in the Run box enter "winver" (without the quotes) and press the enter key on your keyboard or select OK.

The most recent service pack for Windows Vista is Service Pack 1. For Windows XP the latest is Service Pack 2, but Service Pack 3 will be here shortly if it is not yet out by the time you read this. For Windows 2000 the most recent service pack is Service Pack 4. Microsoft has announced that this will be the last Windows 2000 service pack. If you are not at the latest service pack level you should update promptly. See the following to learn the preferred method of installing a service pack: Installing Service Packs.