How to Check Thunderbolt Version Windows 10: Quick System Info Method

I spent years troubleshooting Windows machines, and Thunderbolt version checks always came up during hardware diagnostics. The method is simpler than most users expect, buried in system tools you already have.

You don’t need third-party software or command line mastery. Windows 10 hides this information in plain sight—accessible through Device Manager or System Information with just a few clicks.

This approach works on any Windows 10 machine with Thunderbolt ports. The process takes under 2 minutes once you know where to look, and it’s more reliable than checking physical port labels.

Works for all Thunderbolt versions from 1 to 4. Here’s exactly how to find it.

What Youll Need

Instructions

This method takes less than two minutes and requires no third-party tools.

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager from the menu that appears. You can also right-click the Start button and choose it there. This is the fastest way to access the hardware management interface without navigating through multiple settings panels.

Wait for the Device Manager window to fully populate with all devices. If it seems slow, give it 10-15 seconds—Windows sometimes takes a moment to enumerate everything properly.

Scroll down and expand the System devices category. Look for entries containing Thunderbolt or JHL (Intel’s Thunderbolt controller naming). On some systems, it might appear under Universal Serial Bus controllers instead, especially with older implementations.

If you don’t see anything with Thunderbolt in the name, your system might not have the controller installed or enabled in BIOS. In that case, check your motherboard manufacturer’s documentation to confirm hardware support.

Right-click the Thunderbolt controller and select Properties. Navigate to the Details tab in the properties window. This is where the version information hides—it’s not immediately visible in the main view.

In the Property dropdown, select Hardware Ids. The version appears in the VALUE field as part of the hardware ID string. Look for JHL6540 (Thunderbolt 3), JHL7540 (Thunderbolt 4), or similar alphanumeric codes that indicate the specific controller model.

Take the controller model number you found and search for it online. Intel’s documentation clearly maps controller models to Thunderbolt versions. For example, JHL6540 corresponds to Thunderbolt 3, while JHL7540 and JHL8540 indicate Thunderbolt 4.

If you’re unsure, check your system’s documentation or the manufacturer’s support page. They often list the exact Thunderbolt version supported by each motherboard model, which should match what you’ve found in Device Manager.

For absolute confirmation, open Command Prompt and run wmic path Win32_PnPEntity get Caption /format:list. This lists all plug-and-play devices. Search the output for Thunderbolt entries to confirm the controller model.

This command sometimes reveals more detailed information than Device Manager, especially on systems with multiple Thunderbolt controllers or complex configurations. The version should match what you found earlier, giving you confidence in the result.

Tips and Common Mistakes

These practical pointers will help you avoid common pitfalls when checking your Thunderbolt version.

Step 1 Efficiency: In Step 1, the Windows + X shortcut is your fastest route to Device Manager, but if you’re using a touchscreen device, right-clicking the Start button works just as well. Don’t rush this—give it the full 10-15 seconds for all devices to populate completely, especially on older systems.

Controller Location: For Step 2, if you don’t find Thunderbolt under System devices, always check Universal Serial Bus controllers next. Confession: I spent 20 minutes searching the wrong category before realizing this on my first try. Older motherboards sometimes use different naming conventions.

Property Tab Precision: In Step 3, the Details tab can be easy to miss—it’s not the first tab you see. The Hardware Ids dropdown is where you’ll find the JHL codes, but you need to scroll through the list carefully. The controller model appears as part of a longer string, so look for “JHL” followed by four numbers.

Verification Method: For Step 5, the Command Prompt method is particularly useful if Device Manager isn’t showing complete information. Run the command exactly as written—even one character off will give you errors. The output is long, so use Ctrl+F to search for “Thunderbolt” in the results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Checking your Thunderbolt version on Windows 10 is a straightforward process using Device Manager or System Information. 💡 Now that you know how, take a moment to verify your system’s compatibility with the latest peripherals or updates. If you’re upgrading hardware, ensure your Thunderbolt version supports your needs!