How to check your CPU generation

Q: How do I check my processor generation in CMD?

The old wmic cpu get name command no longer works on current versions of Windows 11, because Microsoft removed WMIC. Open PowerShell instead and run Get-CimInstance Win32_Processor | Select-Object Name , then read the generation from the model number.

To check your CPU generation, find the processor’s full name (on Windows: Settings → System → About), then read the model number. For Intel Core chips, the generation is the number after the dash, minus the last three digits: a Core i5-8250U is 8th gen and a Core i7-10510U is 10th gen.

Last updated October 25, 2026 · Facts checked against Intel, Microsoft and Apple support pages

The short version

Windows: Settings → System → About, or type msinfo32 in the Run box.
Mac: Apple menu → About This Mac. Linux: run lscpu in a terminal.
Intel Core: the generation is the one or two digits right after “i3”, “i5”, “i7” or “i9”.
For Windows 11, Intel Core chips generally need to be 8th gen or newer, and AMD Ryzen chips 2000 series or newer.

Find your processor name on Windows 11 or 10

Any one of these methods works. Each shows the processor’s full name, including the model number you need, such as i5-8250U.

Settings

Right-click Start, choose Settings, select System, then About. The processor appears under Device specifications.

System Information

Press Windows key + R, type msinfo32 and press Enter. The Processor line on the System Summary page shows the name and model number. Intel recommends this method.

Task Manager

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. In Windows 11, choose Performance on the left, then CPU. In Windows 10, open the Performance tab and select CPU. The processor name appears at the top of the page, and the same view lists the number of cores and logical processors.

Command line

Open PowerShell and run:

Get-CimInstance Win32_Processor | Select-Object Name

Older guides suggest wmic cpu get name. Microsoft has removed the WMIC tool from all currently supported versions of Windows 11, so use the PowerShell command instead.

Find your processor on a Mac

Open the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. On an Intel-based Mac, you’ll see an item labeled Processor followed by the Intel processor name, which you can read using the Intel rules below. On a Mac with Apple silicon, you’ll see Chip followed by the chip’s name, such as M1.

Find your processor on Linux

Open a terminal and run:

lscpu | grep "Model name"

The lscpu command gathers its information from the system, including /proc/cpuinfo, and also shows the number of cores and threads.

How to read Intel Core model numbers

Intel says the generation of a Core processor is the number, or the two numbers, right after i3, i5, i7 or i9. In practice, a four-digit model number starts with a one-digit generation, and a five-digit model number starts with a two-digit generation.

Processor	Generation
Core i5-7200U	7th gen
Core i5-8250U	8th gen
Core i7-8650U	8th gen
Core i7-10510U	10th gen
Core i7-10700K	10th gen
Core i9-14900K	14th gen

The letters at the end describe the type of chip. According to Intel, U means a power-efficient laptop chip, H a high-performance laptop chip, K a high-performance desktop chip that allows overclocking and T a power-optimized desktop chip.

Some Intel chips don’t follow this pattern:

Core Ultra: the first digit of the number shows the series. A Core Ultra 7 165H is Series 1 and a Core Ultra 7 288V is Series 2.
Pentium and Celeron: Intel says the generation rule above applies only to Core processors. For these, a higher number within the same family generally means more features and better performance.
Intel Processor (such as the N100): Intel says these model numbers don’t include a generation indicator.

How to read AMD Ryzen model numbers

For Ryzen desktop chips, the first digit of the four-digit model number shows the series. A Ryzen 5 2600 is a 2000-series chip, and a Ryzen 7 5800X is a 5000-series chip. The number right after “Ryzen” (3, 5, 7 or 9) is the product tier, not the generation.

Laptop chips are trickier. Since 2023, AMD has used a newer scheme for laptop processors. The first digit is the model year (7 means 2023), and the third digit shows the underlying architecture. For example, a Ryzen 5 7520U is a 2023 model built on the older Zen 2 design. So a high series number on a laptop chip doesn’t always mean a newer design.

What the generation means for Windows 11

Microsoft publishes lists of processors that meet the Windows 11 requirements. Its Intel list for Windows 11 version 24H2 starts at 8th-gen Core processors. Its AMD list includes Ryzen 2000-series desktop chips such as the Ryzen 5 2600, but not every chip with a 2000-series number, so check the exact model.

Microsoft says the lists are written for PC manufacturers and are updated with each new Windows release. For your own PC, the most reliable answer comes from Microsoft’s PC Health Check app. See how to check whether your PC can run Windows 11, or look up your model in our Can It Run? database.

If your processor is supported but the check still fails, TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot is usually switched off. Our guide to enabling TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot explains how to turn them on.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check my processor generation in CMD?

The old wmic cpu get name command no longer works on current versions of Windows 11, because Microsoft removed WMIC. Open PowerShell instead and run Get-CimInstance Win32_Processor | Select-Object Name, then read the generation from the model number.

How do I check the processor generation on a laptop?

The steps are the same as on a desktop: use Settings → System → About or msinfo32. If the processor isn’t installed in a working PC, Intel says the number is printed on the chip itself or on the box label.

Is a 7th-gen Intel processor compatible with Windows 11?

Generally, no. Microsoft’s Intel list for Windows 11 version 24H2 starts at 8th-gen Core processors, so chips like the Core i5-7200U aren’t on it. PC Health Check gives the definitive answer for a specific PC.