Windows System Info settings

Device details, advanced settings, and activation status.

Date & TimeDate & Time settings control your system clock, time zone, and whether Windows sets these automatically using your location and an internet time server. Correct time settings matter well beyond the clock display — they affect file timestamps, certificate validation, scheduled tasks, and login to network resources.
ActivationActivation shows whether your copy of Windows is genuinely licensed and linked to your hardware or Microsoft account, which edition you're running, and lets you enter a new product key or upgrade to a different edition, like from Home to Pro. A properly activated Windows unlocks full personalization options and removes the persistent activation watermark.
About / System InformationAbout shows your PC's core specifications at a glance — processor, installed RAM, device ID, and system type — alongside your exact Windows edition, version, and build number. It's the single quickest place to find the information support technicians, driver downloads, and compatibility checks almost always ask for first.
Advanced System SettingsAdvanced System Settings (opened via sysdm.cpl or 'Advanced system settings' in search) is a legacy System Properties dialog covering performance options like visual effects and virtual memory, system startup and recovery behavior, user profile management, and manual environment variable editing. These controls predate the modern Settings app and remain the only place for several deeper configuration options.
Rename This PCLets you change the device name Windows uses to identify this PC on networks, in file sharing, and when pairing devices like Bluetooth accessories.
System Protection & Restore PointsConfigures System Restore, which periodically saves snapshots of system files and settings so you can roll the PC back to an earlier working state after a problematic driver or software installation.
Environment VariablesLets advanced users view and edit environment variables such as PATH, TEMP, and custom variables that control how applications, scripts, and the command line locate files and behave.
Domain or Workgroup SettingsLets you configure whether this PC belongs to a home network workgroup or a business network domain, which affects sign-in options, network resource access, and group policy management.
User Account Control SettingsControls how often Windows prompts for confirmation before allowing apps or processes to make changes that require administrator privileges, balancing security against interruption frequency.
PC Health Check & Upgrade EligibilityPC Health Check reports whether your device meets the hardware requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, supported CPU) for the latest Windows feature upgrade, alongside a quick overview of battery and storage health.

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