Checking the Status of Windows

Windows Vista is available in a wide variety of editions, and it's an operating system that demands a lot from your computer. If you're unable to locate a program or use a feature that you're pretty sure is part of Windows Vista, or if your computer just isn't performing the way you want it to, you should check to see which version of Windows Vista you're running, and find out how well your computer works with it.

Check the Status

Click the Start button, choose Control Panel from the Start menu, click System And Maintenance, and then click System to display the System window.

Note which version of Windows Vista you're running.

Note the score of your system. You need a score of at least 3 to obtain full functioning of the Aero glass effect, and you need a score of at least 4 to support all the Windows Vista features and programs that demand high graphics performance.

Click Windows Experience Index to see how individual items contribute to your score, to view and print details of the score, and to have Windows examine the system again and create a new score.

In the System window, make sure your computer has been activated.

Close the windows when you've finished.