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Windows
WinXP Pro, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 10
Start > run > cmd > systeminfo
- Open the start menu
- search cmd
- open the command prompt application
- type "systeminfo" (without quotes) and hit the enter key.
Windows 8
1 - Go to the Search Charm How to Search in Windows 8
2 - Search "cmd".
3 - Select the "Command Prompt" App.
4 - Type "systeminfo" and hit "enter".
WinXP Home Edition
Start > run > hcp://system/sysinfo/sysinfomain.htm -> View the status of my system hardware and software
Under "System Software" the operating system should be listed with the install date under "Date Created"
Mac
Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6)
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Alternate Method
You can type vi /var/log/OSInstall.custom on the Terminal window.
| Info |
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(:q to quit vi) |
Mac OS X Lion (10.7)
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| Table of Contents |
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Check OS Installation Dates on Windows
Hold down the Windows Key and Press R on your keyboard.
- Type in cmd and Press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER.
- Type in systeminfo and Press ENTER.
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Check OS Installation Dates on macOS (Yosemite and El Capitan)
- Open the console window in the Utilities folder, as outlined above.
- Navigate to /var/log, then click on install.log
- Scroll all the way to the top of the list, until you see a series of text that says "
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- OSInstaller"
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- The date next to the text is the install date.
Check OS Installation Dates on macOS (Catalina and Above)
- Open the the console window application found in the Utilities folder, as outlined above.
- Navigate to /var/log, then click on install.log
- Scroll all the way to the top of the list, until you see a series of text that says "Install Mac OS X Mountain Lion"
- The date next to the text is the install date.
Mac OS X Yosemite and El Captain (10.10 & 10.11)
- Open the console window in the Utilities folder, as outlined above.
- Navigate to /var/log, then click on install.log
- Scroll all the way to the top of the list, until you see a series of text that says "OSInstaller"
- The date next to the text is the install date.
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- Applications > Utilities > Console
- In the sidebar select "Log Reports"
- In the top half of the window select "install.log"
The lower half of the log window scroll up to the earliest possible date to see the install date.
Info title Note The earliest date will either be when the computer was first set after being purchased or from the last clean install. If a computer is upgraded there will be an install log on the date of the install recording the upgrade.
