data recovery - How to identify the Windows version of a dead install from Linux by having access only to its filesystem?

My question doesn't have an answer there, because all of them are windows-specific and I want a linux solution.

I have a dead windows install in one of my partitions. It doesn't have any boot data any more. Practically, it is only a filesystem dump. But I have access to read any files on its filesystem.

How could I identify, which Windows version is it? In ideal case, I think there should be some configuration setting or any file which is unique to the different Windows versions. For example, on Debian-based Linux distros I could simply read /etc/debian_version.

How could I do the same on a Win?

Extension #1: Unfortunately, I have access only to a Linux box to reach its hard disk. So, solutions requiring a Windows (for example, digging in the version of ntoskrnl.exe, or checking some registry settings) aren't in my case feasible.

Answer

Simple. Look at the version of :\Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe

In the case of XP, look for :\boot.ini

If it is Vista+ you can look for the :\Boot folder.

For Windows 7+ you can look in device manager for the hidden System Reserved partition.

If there is a file named license.rtf in your C:\Windows\System32 folder, it also contains your current Windows version.