Reliable way to get Windows Version?

03-17-2008

I need a way to determine what Windows version and edition a script is
running on. I can get the build number, that's trivial:

$Build=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows
NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('CurrentBuildNumber')

But it doesn't much help when Windows Vista SP1 is 6001 and so is Windows
Server 2008. And also doesn't tell me which edition. The ProductID:

$ProductID=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows
NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('ProductID')

could probably do it, but I'm not at all sure what I'm looking at there, and
how to parse it for what's important. First, does anyone know a reference
that gives the relevant numbers for the various editions of Windows. And
second, could someone suggest a regex to parse it into consituent parts? Or,
alternately, does someone have a better location to get the version and
edition of Windows?

Thanks,

--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/xperts64
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel

03-17-2008

"Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:6116302E-00CF-46C6-A17B-4F35EA5575C9@xxxxxx

	Quote:
	>I need a way to determine what Windows version and edition a script is >running on. I can get the build number, that's trivial: > > $Build=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows > NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('CurrentBuildNumber') > > But it doesn't much help when Windows Vista SP1 is 6001 and so is Windows > Server 2008. And also doesn't tell me which edition. The ProductID: > > $ProductID=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows > NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('ProductID') > > could probably do it, but I'm not at all sure what I'm looking at there, > and how to parse it for what's important. First, does anyone know a > reference that gives the relevant numbers for the various editions of > Windows. And second, could someone suggest a regex to parse it into > consituent parts? Or, alternately, does someone have a better location to > get the version and edition of Windows? >

There are a number of ways you could get relevant information. Parsing the
product id sounds a bit of an extreme approach imho ;-) [although possible
and worth a thread in itself]

From the registry as you mentioned under

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

(Get-Item "HKLM:SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion").GetValue("ProductName")
(Get-Item "HKLM:SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion").GetValue("EditionID")

would distinguish between Windows Server 2008 and Vista

Other options ..
(Get-Item "HKLM:SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion").GetValueNames()

or you could use Win32_OperatingSystem

Get-WmiObject Win32_OperatingSystem | fl -property *

eg

(Get-WmiObject Win32_OperatingSystem).Caption
(Get-WmiObject Win32_OperatingSystem).BuildNumber

OR

[environment]:

sversion

eg

[environment]:

sversion.Version.ToString()

and split further....

[environment]:

sversion.Version.Major
[environment]:

sversion.Version.Minor
[environment]:

sversion.Version.Build
[environment]:

sversion.Version.Revision

A combination of the above should provide you with sufficient information.

--
Jon

03-17-2008

You can also try the plain old DOS ver command:

# on XP box
PS> cmd /c ver
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]

# on Win2003 server R2 x64
PS> cmd /c ver
Microsoft Windows [Version 5.2.3790]

# on Windows 2000 STD Server SP4
PS> cmd /c ver
Microsoft Windows 2000 [Version 5.00.2195]

-----
Shay Levi
$cript Fanatic
http://scriptolog.blogspot.com

	Quote:
	> I need a way to determine what Windows version and edition a script is > running on. I can get the build number, that's trivial: > > $Build=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows > NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('CurrentBuildNumber') > > But it doesn't much help when Windows Vista SP1 is 6001 and so is > Windows Server 2008. And also doesn't tell me which edition. The > ProductID: > > $ProductID=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows > NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('ProductID') > > could probably do it, but I'm not at all sure what I'm looking at > there, and how to parse it for what's important. First, does anyone > know a reference that gives the relevant numbers for the various > editions of Windows. And second, could someone suggest a regex to > parse it into consituent parts? Or, alternately, does someone have a > better location to get the version and edition of Windows? > > Thanks, >

03-17-2008

get-wmiobject win32_operatingsystem

This will give you BuildNumber and Version

Andy
http://get-powershell.com

"Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:6116302E-00CF-46C6-A17B-4F35EA5575C9@xxxxxx

	Quote:
	>I need a way to determine what Windows version and edition a script is >running on. I can get the build number, that's trivial: > > $Build=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows > NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('CurrentBuildNumber') > > But it doesn't much help when Windows Vista SP1 is 6001 and so is Windows > Server 2008. And also doesn't tell me which edition. The ProductID: > > $ProductID=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows > NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('ProductID') > > could probably do it, but I'm not at all sure what I'm looking at there, > and how to parse it for what's important. First, does anyone know a > reference that gives the relevant numbers for the various editions of > Windows. And second, could someone suggest a regex to parse it into > consituent parts? Or, alternately, does someone have a better location to > get the version and edition of Windows? > > Thanks, > > -- > Charlie. > http://msmvps.com/xperts64 > http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel > >

03-17-2008

No help - returns the same for any version of Vista with SP1 as it does for
Server 2008 RTM. But a good way to get the build number, certainly.

--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/xperts64
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel

"Andy Schneider" <andy@xxxxxx-powershell.com> wrote in message
news:9265C697-5DE4-4C8E-BAD3-B8023214FA79@xxxxxx

Quote:

> get-wmiobject win32_operatingsystem
>
> This will give you BuildNumber and Version
>
> Andy
> http://get-powershell.com
>
>
>
>
> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:6116302E-00CF-46C6-A17B-4F35EA5575C9@xxxxxx

	Quote:
	>>I need a way to determine what Windows version and edition a script is >>running on. I can get the build number, that's trivial: >> >> $Build=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows >> NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('CurrentBuildNumber') >> >> But it doesn't much help when Windows Vista SP1 is 6001 and so is Windows >> Server 2008. And also doesn't tell me which edition. The ProductID: >> >> $ProductID=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows >> NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('ProductID') >> >> could probably do it, but I'm not at all sure what I'm looking at there, >> and how to parse it for what's important. First, does anyone know a >> reference that gives the relevant numbers for the various editions of >> Windows. And second, could someone suggest a regex to parse it into >> consituent parts? Or, alternately, does someone have a better location to >> get the version and edition of Windows? >> >> Thanks, >> >> -- >> Charlie. >> http://msmvps.com/xperts64 >> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel >> >>

>

03-17-2008

Won't help - returns the exact same for Server 2008 and Vista with SP1. (and
has the same problem with XP x64 and Server 2003 SP1). And doesn't give me
edition so I can branch on features available.

--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/xperts64
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel

"Shay Levi" <no@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:8766a94423a778ca5635947a6762@xxxxxx

Quote:

>
> You can also try the plain old DOS ver command:
>
>
> # on XP box
> PS> cmd /c ver
> Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
>
> # on Win2003 server R2 x64
> PS> cmd /c ver Microsoft Windows [Version 5.2.3790]
>
> # on Windows 2000 STD Server SP4
> PS> cmd /c ver
> Microsoft Windows 2000 [Version 5.00.2195]
>
>
>
>
> -----
> Shay Levi
> $cript Fanatic
> http://scriptolog.blogspot.com
>

	Quote:
	>> I need a way to determine what Windows version and edition a script is >> running on. I can get the build number, that's trivial: >> >> $Build=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows >> NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('CurrentBuildNumber') >> >> But it doesn't much help when Windows Vista SP1 is 6001 and so is >> Windows Server 2008. And also doesn't tell me which edition. The >> ProductID: >> >> $ProductID=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows >> NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('ProductID') >> >> could probably do it, but I'm not at all sure what I'm looking at >> there, and how to parse it for what's important. First, does anyone >> know a reference that gives the relevant numbers for the various >> editions of Windows. And second, could someone suggest a regex to >> parse it into consituent parts? Or, alternately, does someone have a >> better location to get the version and edition of Windows? >> >> Thanks, >>

>
>

03-17-2008

Sorry.. thats what I get for trying to answer questions before I finish my
coffee in the morning

Andy

"Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:FD2A2D4F-5746-4237-9E9B-B177780C81C8@xxxxxx

Quote:

> No help - returns the same for any version of Vista with SP1 as it does
> for Server 2008 RTM. But a good way to get the build number, certainly.
>
> --
> Charlie.
> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel
>
>
> "Andy Schneider" <andy@xxxxxx-powershell.com> wrote in message
> news:9265C697-5DE4-4C8E-BAD3-B8023214FA79@xxxxxx

Quote:

>> get-wmiobject win32_operatingsystem
>>
>> This will give you BuildNumber and Version
>>
>> Andy
>> http://get-powershell.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie@xxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:6116302E-00CF-46C6-A17B-4F35EA5575C9@xxxxxx

	Quote:
	>>>I need a way to determine what Windows version and edition a script is >>>running on. I can get the build number, that's trivial: >>> >>> $Build=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows >>> NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('CurrentBuildNumber') >>> >>> But it doesn't much help when Windows Vista SP1 is 6001 and so is >>> Windows Server 2008. And also doesn't tell me which edition. The >>> ProductID: >>> >>> $ProductID=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows >>> NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('ProductID') >>> >>> could probably do it, but I'm not at all sure what I'm looking at there, >>> and how to parse it for what's important. First, does anyone know a >>> reference that gives the relevant numbers for the various editions of >>> Windows. And second, could someone suggest a regex to parse it into >>> consituent parts? Or, alternately, does someone have a better location >>> to get the version and edition of Windows? >>> >>> Thanks, >>> >>> -- >>> Charlie. >>> http://msmvps.com/xperts64 >>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel >>> >>>

>>

>

03-17-2008

Yes, that will do nearly all I need, on a Vista / Server 2008 system (though
doesn't tell me VL v. Retail, but I can live without that). However, it
doesn't cut it on Server 2003 / Windows XP x64 (where Edition isn't
available) and doesn't tell me if I'm on SBS or Server, much less which
version of Server. There I've used -matches "76588-" on the Product ID to
tell me it's Windows XP x64, since there is only a single version of it. But
that's fairly ugly, and doesn't lend itself to doing math on it or building
a simple (<g>) switch statement.

I fear we may be back to parsing ProductID to get everything...

--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/xperts64
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel

"Jon" <Email_Address@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%239YXVaAiIHA.4744@xxxxxx

Quote:

> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:6116302E-00CF-46C6-A17B-4F35EA5575C9@xxxxxx

	Quote:
	>>I need a way to determine what Windows version and edition a script is >>running on. I can get the build number, that's trivial: >> >> $Build=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows >> NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('CurrentBuildNumber') >> >> But it doesn't much help when Windows Vista SP1 is 6001 and so is Windows >> Server 2008. And also doesn't tell me which edition. The ProductID: >> >> $ProductID=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows >> NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('ProductID') >> >> could probably do it, but I'm not at all sure what I'm looking at there, >> and how to parse it for what's important. First, does anyone know a >> reference that gives the relevant numbers for the various editions of >> Windows. And second, could someone suggest a regex to parse it into >> consituent parts? Or, alternately, does someone have a better location to >> get the version and edition of Windows? >>

>
>
>
> There are a number of ways you could get relevant information. Parsing the
> product id sounds a bit of an extreme approach imho ;-) [although
> possible and worth a thread in itself]
>
> From the registry as you mentioned under
>
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
>
> (Get-Item "HKLM:SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
> NT\CurrentVersion").GetValue("ProductName")
> (Get-Item "HKLM:SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
> NT\CurrentVersion").GetValue("EditionID")
>
> would distinguish between Windows Server 2008 and Vista
>
> Other options ..
> (Get-Item "HKLM:SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
> NT\CurrentVersion").GetValueNames()
>
>
>
> or you could use Win32_OperatingSystem
>
> Get-WmiObject Win32_OperatingSystem | fl -property *
>
> eg
>
> (Get-WmiObject Win32_OperatingSystem).Caption
> (Get-WmiObject Win32_OperatingSystem).BuildNumber
>
> OR
>
> [environment]:

sversion
>
> eg
>
> [environment]:

sversion.Version.ToString()
>
> and split further....
>
>
> [environment]:

sversion.Version.Major
> [environment]:

sversion.Version.Minor
> [environment]:

sversion.Version.Build
> [environment]:

sversion.Version.Revision
>
>
> A combination of the above should provide you with sufficient information.
>
>
>
> --
> Jon
>
>
>

03-17-2008

How about gwmi win32_operatingsystem | select Name

- From 2008 RTM
PS C:\Users\superandys> gwmi win32_operatingSystem | select name

name
----
Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 Enterprise
|C:\Windows|\Device\Harddisk0\Partition2

From Vista Ultimate
PS C:\Users\superandys>

PS 2 > gwmi win32_operatingSystem | Select Name

Name
----
Microsoft® Windows VistaT Ultimate |C:\Windows|\Device\Harddisk0\Partition1

PS 3 >

"Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:FD2A2D4F-5746-4237-9E9B-B177780C81C8@xxxxxx

Quote:

> No help - returns the same for any version of Vista with SP1 as it does
> for Server 2008 RTM. But a good way to get the build number, certainly.
>
> --
> Charlie.
> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel
>
>
> "Andy Schneider" <andy@xxxxxx-powershell.com> wrote in message
> news:9265C697-5DE4-4C8E-BAD3-B8023214FA79@xxxxxx

Quote:

>> get-wmiobject win32_operatingsystem
>>
>> This will give you BuildNumber and Version
>>
>> Andy
>> http://get-powershell.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie@xxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:6116302E-00CF-46C6-A17B-4F35EA5575C9@xxxxxx

	Quote:
	>>>I need a way to determine what Windows version and edition a script is >>>running on. I can get the build number, that's trivial: >>> >>> $Build=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows >>> NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('CurrentBuildNumber') >>> >>> But it doesn't much help when Windows Vista SP1 is 6001 and so is >>> Windows Server 2008. And also doesn't tell me which edition. The >>> ProductID: >>> >>> $ProductID=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows >>> NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('ProductID') >>> >>> could probably do it, but I'm not at all sure what I'm looking at there, >>> and how to parse it for what's important. First, does anyone know a >>> reference that gives the relevant numbers for the various editions of >>> Windows. And second, could someone suggest a regex to parse it into >>> consituent parts? Or, alternately, does someone have a better location >>> to get the version and edition of Windows? >>> >>> Thanks, >>> >>> -- >>> Charlie. >>> http://msmvps.com/xperts64 >>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel >>> >>>

>>

>

03-17-2008

no, that's OK - it gave me another way to look at it, that's always useful.

--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/xperts64
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel

"Andy Schneider" <andy@xxxxxx-powershell.com> wrote in message
news:ECF7AE5A-C0C4-4CBA-AC1F-FF9318B96557@xxxxxx

Quote:

> Sorry.. thats what I get for trying to answer questions before I finish my
> coffee in the morning

>
> Andy
>
>
> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:FD2A2D4F-5746-4237-9E9B-B177780C81C8@xxxxxx

Quote:

>> No help - returns the same for any version of Vista with SP1 as it does
>> for Server 2008 RTM. But a good way to get the build number, certainly.
>>
>> --
>> Charlie.
>> http://msmvps.com/xperts64
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel
>>
>>
>> "Andy Schneider" <andy@xxxxxx-powershell.com> wrote in message
>> news:9265C697-5DE4-4C8E-BAD3-B8023214FA79@xxxxxx

	Quote:
	>>> get-wmiobject win32_operatingsystem >>> >>> This will give you BuildNumber and Version >>> >>> Andy >>> http://get-powershell.com >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie@xxxxxx> wrote in >>> message news:6116302E-00CF-46C6-A17B-4F35EA5575C9@xxxxxx >>>>I need a way to determine what Windows version and edition a script is >>>>running on. I can get the build number, that's trivial: >>>> >>>> $Build=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows >>>> NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('CurrentBuildNumber') >>>> >>>> But it doesn't much help when Windows Vista SP1 is 6001 and so is >>>> Windows Server 2008. And also doesn't tell me which edition. The >>>> ProductID: >>>> >>>> $ProductID=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows >>>> NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('ProductID') >>>> >>>> could probably do it, but I'm not at all sure what I'm looking at >>>> there, and how to parse it for what's important. First, does anyone >>>> know a reference that gives the relevant numbers for the various >>>> editions of Windows. And second, could someone suggest a regex to parse >>>> it into consituent parts? Or, alternately, does someone have a better >>>> location to get the version and edition of Windows? >>>> >>>> Thanks, >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Charlie. >>>> http://msmvps.com/xperts64 >>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel >>>> >>>> >>>

>>

>

03-17-2008	#1 (permalink)
Charlie Russel - MVP Guest n/a posts	Reliable way to get Windows Version? I need a way to determine what Windows version and edition a script is running on. I can get the build number, that's trivial: $Build=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('CurrentBuildNumber') But it doesn't much help when Windows Vista SP1 is 6001 and so is Windows Server 2008. And also doesn't tell me which edition. The ProductID: $ProductID=(get-item 'HKLM:/Software/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion').getvalue('ProductID') could probably do it, but I'm not at all sure what I'm looking at there, and how to parse it for what's important. First, does anyone know a reference that gives the relevant numbers for the various editions of Windows. And second, could someone suggest a regex to parse it into consituent parts? Or, alternately, does someone have a better location to get the version and edition of Windows? Thanks, -- Charlie. http://msmvps.com/xperts64 http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel
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