How to Check When Windows Was Installed on Your PC
Knowing when Windows was installed on your PC tells you how old your operating system is, which can help fix slow performance or check if you have the latest version, like Windows 11.
This information is found in two main places: the system’s uptime or the Windows Event Logs.
Checking your system’s uptime is a quick way to estimate your Windows version. If you recently installed Windows, this number will be low. The Task Manager shows your PC’s uptime and resets after a fresh Windows installation.
You can also find the exact date your operating system first started by looking in the Event Viewer. This tool keeps a record of system events, including the very first boot after installation.
Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and type `wmic os get installdate` or `([WMI]”).ConvertToDateTime((Get-WmiObject Win32_OperatingSystem).InstallDate`) respectively. This will display the original installation date of your Windows operating system.
What happens when you are done?
Method 1Using Command Prompt
You can easily check your Windows installation date using the Command Prompt. Just open the tool, type a short command, and press Enter to see exactly when Windows was first put on your computer.
- Click the Start menu.
- Type Command Prompt in the search bar.
- Select the app from the list.
When the black window opens, type this command and press Enter:
wmic os get installdate
You will see a line that looks like this:
Original Install Date: 20210629200901.000000+000
If you want to see more details, simply type the following and press Enter:
systeminfo
For more details, visit the official Microsoft documentation on systeminfo.
Method 2Using PowerShell
PowerShell offers another quick way to find your Windows installation date. Right-click the Start button, pick PowerShell or Terminal, type a specific command, and hit Enter to see when Windows was installed on your PC.
- Right-click the Start button and select Terminal or PowerShell.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
([WMI]'').ConvertToDateTime((Get-WmiObject Win32_OperatingSystem).InstallDate)
This command translates the raw system data into a human-readable format immediately.
Method 3Using the Registry Editor
Your Windows installation date is stored within the Registry Editor, a tool that requires administrator access. You can find this information by opening the Registry Editor, going to a specific location, and looking for the ‘InstallDate’ value.
First, open Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Start menu search.
Navigate to this path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
Find the file named InstallDate. The value you see is in “epoch time.” To make sense of it, copy that number and use an epoch converter website to turn it into a normal date.
Summary
Does a Windows update change the original installation date?
Generally, no. Standard Windows updates do not change the original installation date. However, performing a major “feature update” or a “repair install” of the operating system can sometimes reset this timestamp to the date the new files were deployed to your hard drive.
Why does the Registry show a different date than the Windows folder?
The Windows folder creation date reflects when the directory was first placed on the drive. The Registry InstallDate reflects when the OS configuration was finalized. If you moved your drive or performed a major upgrade, these dates may differ due to how Windows tracks system deployment.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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