Which Windows Version is on my USB Stick

Guide on how to determine which version, edition, and build of Windows is on a bootable USB stick or ISO file.

Why Check?

If you have multiple USB drives lying around, it's hard to tell which one has Windows 10, Windows 11, or which specific build (e.g., 22H2 vs 23H2) is present.

The Command: DISM

We can use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool built into Windows.

Step 1: Locate the Install File

1. Plug in your USB stick.
2. Open it in File Explorer.
3. Go to the sources folder on the USB stick.
4. Look for a large file named install.wim OR install.esd.
   • Note the drive letter (e.g., D:) and the exact path.

Step 2: Run DISM Command

1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as Administrator.
2. Run the following command (replace D:\sources\install.wim with your actual path):

For .wim files:

dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:D:\sources\install.wim

For .esd files:

dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:D:\sources\install.esd

Step 3: Interpret Output

The command will list all "Indices" (Editions) contained inside the image. Look for:

• Index: The number (1, 2, 3...)
• Name: The Edition (e.g., Windows 10 Pro)
• Version: The internal kernel version (e.g., 10.0.19045)
• ServicePack Build: The build number.

Common Build Numbers

Alternative: PowerShell

You can also use a PowerShell one-liner if you prefer:

Get-WindowsImage -ImagePath "D:\sources\install.wim"