Many downloads specify particular versions of software, for example IE7 or WMP9. How do I know which version I have? I use Windows XP Home. Dr Philip Rayner
You should always be able to find the version number of a Windows program by clicking the Help menu item and selecting About. The simple version number (eg 5.1) is often followed by a Build Number (2600.xpsp_sp2 etc). Sometimes you can find the information without running the program. Right-click on the program file (whatsit.exe) and select Properties, then click the tab marked Version. This should have the version number at the top, and a box where you can select headings for more details, such as Company, File Version, Internal Name, Language and so on.
Backchat: Tony Sweeney has suggested running the free program, Belarc Advisor. He says: "This will determine the version number of every single piece of software on your machine, including patches, verify that all hotfixes are complete and correct, and, when printed from the generated browser page, gives you an invaluable hardcopy record of all your application license keys. It also identifies precisely all the hardware in your machine."
