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Find the Serial Number On the PC's Hardware, Box, or Elsewhere
Key Takeaways
- Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and enter "wmic bios get serialnumber" to find your PC's serial number.
- Windows and System Information won't display your PC's serial number.
- If the command doesn't work or you can't access Windows, check the BIOS settings or look for a sticker on the hardware, box, or documentation.
Windows doesn't display your PC's serial number anywhere in its interface, and neither do popular system information tools. But you can often find a PC's serial number with a simple command, a peek in your BIOS, or on the hardware itself.
Run the WMIC Command
Open a Command Prompt or PowerShell window to get started. On Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows 8, right-click the Start button and select "Command Prompt," "PowerShell," or "Windows Terminal." On Windows 7, press Windows + R, type "cmd" into the Run dialog, and then press Enter.
At the Command Prompt, type the following command and then press Enter:
wmic bios get serialnumber
You'll see the computer's serial number displayed beneath the text "SerialNumber". This command uses the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool to pull the system's serial number from its BIOS.
If you don't see your PC's serial number, blame your PC's manufacturer. The number will only appear here if the PC manufacturer saved it to your computer's BIOS or UEFI firmware. PC manufacturers don't always fill in the number properly. In that case, you'll see something like "0," "To be filled by O.E.M." or blank space instead of an actual serial number.
This is also true if you built your own PC because the PC itself won't have a serial number. However, you can look up the serial number of your motherboard and other components.
Check the BIOS
You may also be able to find the serial number in the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings screen. This technique won't get you a serial number if the wmic command didn't, since the command pulls the serial number from the BIOS. However, checking the BIOS could be helpful if you can't actually sign into Windows to run the wmic command.
Access the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings screen and look around for a "Serial Number" somewhere on a system information screen. It'll be in a different place on different PCs, but you can usually find it somewhere on the "Main" or "System" screen.
Find the Serial Number On the PC's Hardware, Box, or Elsewhere
If you don't see a serial number after running the wmic command — or if you just can't turn the PC on or don't have access to it — there are several other places you might find the serial number:
- If you have a laptop, flip it over. On some laptops, you'll see the number on a sticker. On others, you'll see the number printed directly on the metal or plastic the laptop is made from. If your laptop has a removable battery, the serial number is sometimes on a sticker inside the battery compartment, under the battery.
- If you have a desktop PC, look at the back, top, or side of the case for some sort of sticker. The number may also be on a sticker inside the case, so you might have to open it up.
- If you can't find the serial number on the PC itself, look online for instructions specific to your model. The manufacturer's website should tell you exactly where to look.
- If you registered your PC with the manufacturer or received warranty service, the serial number should be included in the registration documentation, warranty service receipt, or email confirmation for the service.
- If you still have the original product box, it usually has the serial number printed on it — often on the same sticker with the bar code.
- If you purchased the PC online or in store, the serial number may be printed on the physical or email receipt you received.
And if you just can't find your serial number at all, don't give up hope. If you have proof of purchase, the manufacturer still may be able to help you with whatever service you need and may even be able to find out the serial number for you.
- Windows
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
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FAQs
Check the sticker label on the back of the desktop PC. The serial number is listed after the word “Serial Number,” “SSN,” “S/N,” or “SN” as in the edited picture below. Also, check under the unit or side of the unit especially for smaller or more compact desktop systems.
How do I find my PC serial number? ›
Check the sticker label on the back of the desktop PC. The serial number is listed after the word “Serial Number,” “SSN,” “S/N,” or “SN” as in the edited picture below. Also, check under the unit or side of the unit especially for smaller or more compact desktop systems.
How can I find my Windows serial number? ›
Right-click (or long-press) Start , then select Settings > System > About . On this page, find Windows Specifications, and look for your Serial number.
How can I get my serial number? ›
Serial Numbers are normally found on a label on the item but in some cases they are printed in the manual or a piece of paper that came with the item.
Where is Windows serial number stored? ›
Where Is The Windows Product Key Stored? The product key is stored in the registry on your computer, and it can be read by simple key-viewing programs or even basic scripts.
Does every PC have a serial number? ›
From your computer to your gaming system, every device in your home has a model and serial number, which come in handy when you're filing a claim, checking warranty coverage, or searching for specifications. If you're going to sell, trade-in, or give away your device, you'll need both numbers.
How do I find my PC model number? ›
With the Start menu open, start typing "System Information" - as you type, your computer will automatically start searching. Inside the System Information window, select System Summary. You will then see information listed for OS Name, Version, System Manufacturer and System Model.
How can I know my Windows number? ›
- Click the Start or Windows button (usually in the lower-left corner of your computer screen).
- Right-click Computer and choose Properties from the menu. The resulting screen shows the Windows version.
Some windows have no codes or names gracing their windows at all. These windows were most likely manufactured by a local company; these windows are sometimes referred to as “shop windows.”
How to find Windows serial number using cmd? ›
Division of Information Technology
- Hold down the Windows Key + "R"
- Paste "cmd /k wmic bios get serialnumber" in the Run dialogue box (be sure there's a space between the cmd and /k).
- OK.
Find the label
You can find most serial numbers on a label that is usually prominently displayed on the exterior casing of the product. The serial number will be below the bar code (on the label).
How do I find my ID serial number? ›
The identity number is printed on all of your national identification documents, such as your ID-card, passport, residents permit etc. It is usually either next to or below your name or your birth date.
How can I find my PC serial number? ›
Most computers have their serial numbers on the outside of the case or, for some laptops, underneath the battery.
Where do I find my Windows serial? ›
Generally, if you bought a physical copy of Windows, the product key should be on a label or card inside the box that Windows came in. If Windows came preinstalled on your PC, the product key should appear on a sticker on your device.
Is Windows serial number same as product key? ›
Please note that serial numbers and Windows product keys are occasionally used interchangeably but are, in fact, two different things. Serial numbers refer to the unique hardware identifier number, whereas the Windows product key refers to your code to authenticate Windows.
Why does my PC not have a serial number? ›
PC manufacturers don't always fill in the number properly. In that case, you'll see something like "0," "To be filled by O.E.M." or blank space instead of an actual serial number. This is also true if you built your own PC because the PC itself won't have a serial number.
Where is the serial number on a custom PC? ›
Custom built computers don't have a single, overarching serial number like pre-built systems from major manufacturers. Each component will have its own serial number. If it is the motherboard's serial number you need, sometimes it is printed on the motherboard itself, or see if you can find it in BIOS.
Is device ID the same as serial number? ›
Device IDs are stored on the mobile device and are separate from hardware serial numbers which are assigned by the device manufacturer to identify a device and can be used for inventory purposes. The most popular device IDs include the Google Advertiser ID (GAID) for Android devices and Apple's IDFA for iOS devices.
How do I find my computer's serial number remotely? ›
You can find a remote computer's serial number on the "Processor and Motherboard" node in the "Hardware" tree. See the "System" section, the "Serial Number" item. Also, you can find a laptop model here, at the "Model" item (desktops usually display a motherboard's model here).
