How Can I Determine Windows Uptime Easily?
How Can I Determine Windows Uptime Easily?
3 Answers

Alright, let\’s dig into figuring out how long your Windows machine has been up and running since the last reboot. There are a bunch of easy ways to find this out, and I\’ll break them down for you. Trust me, these tips are handy, especially if you\’re trying to troubleshoot or figure out if you need a restart.
Check with Task Manager
One of the quickest ways is through Task Manager. Here\’s how to do it:
- Just press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to fire up Task Manager, or right-click the taskbar and hit “Task Manager.”
- If it looks super basic, click “More details” at the bottom.
- Jump over to the Performance tab and click on CPU.
- Scroll down a bit, and there you have it—“Uptime” shown in days, hours, minutes, and seconds.
This is definitely a go-to for a quick check!
Peek with Command Prompt
If you’re into using the Command Prompt, you’re in luck. Here are a couple of ways:
Method 1: Net Statistics
- Open up Command Prompt by hitting Win+R, typing cmd, and hitting Enter.
- For most users, type:
net statistics workstation
- For server peeps, go for:
net statistics server
- Scroll through the stats for the line starting with “Statistics since…”—that\’s when your system last rebooted.
Method 2: Systeminfo
- Again, open Command Prompt, but make sure it’s run as an administrator.
- Type in:
systeminfo | find \"System Boot Time\"
- This tells you the exact boot time. You’ll just need to do a little math with the current time to figure out uptime.
Both of these are pretty nifty if you like working in Command Prompt.
Cool Stuff with PowerShell
PowerShell makes things even easier. You can use: (get-date) - (gcim Win32_OperatingSystem).LastBootUpTime
This will show you the uptime in days, hours, minutes, and seconds straight up. If you’re into scripting, try: Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem | Select-Object LastBootUpTime
This stuff is gold—especially if you love automating tasks.
Advanced Tricks
Using Event Viewer
- Open Event Viewer and dig for event IDs like 6005 (for when the Event Log service started, marking boot) or 6006 (for shutdowns).
- Compare these events to get a sense of uptime and downtime.
GetTickCount64 for the Tech-Savvy
If you’re a dev or just love getting into the weeds, the GetTickCount64 function can tell you uptime in milliseconds—a bit geeky, but very precise.
So, there you go! Whether you fancy a visual look with Task Manager or an old-school command prompt, you’ve got plenty of ways to check how long your Windows system has been ticking along. Perfect for when you’re sorting out issues or just curious if it’s time for a reboot.

Curious about how long your Windows machine has been running without a hitch? There are a few straightforward ways to figure that out. Here’s the lowdown:
Task Manager
Looking for the easiest fix without diving into the command line? Task Manager’s got you covered:
- Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc to pop open Task Manager.
- Head over to the Performance tab.
- Click on CPU in the sidebar.
- Bam! Your Uptime is right there at the bottom.
Command Prompt
Feeling a bit tech-savvy? Here’s how to roll with the Command Prompt:
- Press Windows + R and chuck in
cmd
, then hit Enter. - Type
systeminfo | find "System Boot Time"
and press Enter again. - Voilà! You’ll see when your system last booted up.
Windows PowerShell
If PowerShell is more your style, no problem! Here’s the scoop:
- Right-click the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell.
- Slap in
(get-date) - (gcim Win32_OperatingSystem).LastBootUpTime
and hit Enter. - There you have it, your uptime in all its glory.
System Info Tool
Want more detailed info? Check out the System Info Tool:
- Press Windows + R, type
msinfo32
, and press Enter. - Look for System Up Time under System Summary.
These methods are about as simple as it gets, so pick whichever tickles your fancy. Each one is a surefire way to find out how long your PC has been running nonstop. Isn’t it neat how there are different routes for different folks?

Want to figure out how long your Windows machine has been chugging along without a reboot? You’re in the right place! Knowing your system uptime can help with everything from spotting when your computer needs a tune-up to making sure it\’s running smoothly after updates. Here are some handy ways to check your uptime:
Task Manager: Quick & Easy
Pop open Task Manager by hitting Ctrl + Shift + Esc
. Head over to the Performance tab. For Windows 10 people, click on CPU to see the uptime, and if you\’re on Windows 11, just peek under Performance and there it is!
Heads Up: If you\’re on an older Windows version and don’t see this, try one of the other methods below.
Command Line Fun
Feel like a command line ninja? You’ve got a few options here:
- Using
systeminfo
: Fire up Command Prompt and runsysteminfo | find \"System Boot Time\"
. Voila! You’ll see when your system last booted. - With WMIC: Type
wmic os get lastbootuptime
, and you’ll get a date and time in a funky format but hey, it gets the job done. net statistics
: Punch innet statistics workstation | find \"Statistics since\"
, and it’ll give you a rough idea of your system uptime.
PowerShell Wizards: Advanced Stuff
If you’re feeling extra geeky, PowerShell is your best friend. Type (Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_OperatingSystem).LastBootUpTime
to get the down-low on the last system start.
Taking the Long Road with Event Viewer
Want to trawl through your history? Open Event Viewer, go to Windows Logs, then System. Filter by event IDs 6005 (for starts) and 6006 (for shutdowns) to piece together your system\’s uptime saga.
A Few Gotchas to Watch Out For
- You might find the time\’s off because your BIOS is being a pain. If the system clock is out of whack, run
w32tm /resync
or maybe it’s time for a new CMOS battery. - Missing uptime data? Boo! This could be a sign of corrupted files. Try
sfc /scannow
to get things back on track. - Virtual Machines might trip you up. Sometimes they report the host’s uptime instead of the guest OS. Inside the VM? Stick to the
systeminfo
command.
For Those Tech Gurus
Write some nifty PowerShell scripts to track uptime over time and automate your monitoring like a pro. You might even want to hook into management tools like Zabbix or Nagios.
Third-Party Toys
- Microsoft’s Uptime.exe is an oldie but goodie.
- Sysinternals PsInfo is quick and dirty for uptime details.
But really, the built-in methods are your safest bet in most cases.
So there you have it — a mix of old school methods and shiny new tricks to keep track of your Windows system uptime. Whether you\’re a super user or just curious, there\’s a way to check your system that\’s right for you.