How Do I Find My Computer's Serial Number

  

How do I find my Service Tag, Serial Number, Computer Name, S/N? A computer technician may request that you provide your Service Tag if further diagnostics are needed. To find your Service Tag, follow the instructions that correspond with your operating system: All versions of Windows using command-line: 1. Press Windows-key + R 2. Easily Find the Serial Number of your Computer Written by Amit Agarwal on Aug 11, 2011 You’ve got a problem with your computer, you call their technical support team and the person on the other side requires the machine’s serial number (also known as the Service Tag) before he can even log your request. Jun 26, 2015 - Sometimes finding the serial number on a Windows PC can be a challenge, especially if the computer is located in a dark corner under a desk.

Your PC’s serial number, sometimes called service tag, is an important piece of info that you should keep handy, especially when you’re troubleshootingWindows 8 Crashing? How to Easily Troubleshoot Blue Screen & Other IssuesWindows 8 Crashing? How to Easily Troubleshoot Blue Screen & Other IssuesWindows 8 isn't perfect. That said, most blue screens and application crashes aren't Windows' fault. Our tips will help you identify exactly what's wrong with your PC and fix it.Read More or calling up tech support. Here’s a one-step trick for finding it.

Launch the Command Prompt by pressing Windows Key + R to bring up the Run dialog, typing in cmd, and hitting Enter. (Or launch it using any other method you prefer.) Then, type in the following command and press Enter again:

wmic bios get serialnumber

This displays your computer’s serial number instantly. Note it down for future use. That’s all there is to it!

Just a word of advice to anyone calling any tech support: the person you talk to will ask for a tag or serial number and you need to have it

— Arthur (@pelirrojo79) March 26, 2014

The command only works on Windows 7 through Windows 10 because these Windows versions have the WMIC utility built into them. If you want thorough information about every aspect of your PC, we recommend using Belarc AdvisorDid You Get The PC You Ordered? Find Out With These System Information Tools [Windows]Did You Get The PC You Ordered? Find Out With These System Information Tools [Windows]Have you recently purchased a PC? If yes, was it customized? By customized, I mean assembled by a local computer shop, or even just by someone you know who builds and sells computers. If you...Read More.

By the way, the serial number is also available on the hardware itself, but it’s usually located in a hard-to-access place, such as on the back of the CPU. Thanks to the WMIC method, you won’t ever have to crouch behind the computer table or open up the hardware. You can see it right on your screen at any time!

Now look at it some more. That's your computer's serial number. Yes. It's right there. Look at it. It was under your machine the whole time.

— Matthew Buttler (@DiverseCauses) October 9, 2015

Have you had trouble in the past locating information related to your computer or any of its components? How did you work it out? Share your experience with us.

Image Credit: barcode icon by newer via Shutterstock

  1. I always used Belarc for everything. Even for Product Keys. The output file can be found in the program files> belarc> tmp> it will be in the html format. I would save it in the cloud for future reference.

  2. for linux > dmidecode -s system-serial-number

  3. I've always used Belarc Advisor. It's saved me for getting my software product keys too!

  4. Dosnt work on my system either, I built it myself. Perhaps a foot note explaining that your tip only works on OEM systems might be a help....

  5. On my (Lenovo) laptop that command produces a different number to the serial number on the box label.

    In the Belarc Advisor report, the number produced by this WMIC command is listed as the 'system serial number' while the one on the box label is listed as both 'chassis serial number' and 'main circuit board serial number'.

    In case I ever need to contact service support it looks like it would be useful to have both serial numbers available, so thanks for the info.

  6. Unfortunately, your shortcut method of finding my machine's serial number doesn't work on my PowerSpec i7 computer, running Win 8.1 Professional (X64). Fortunately, the manufacturer put a nifty sticker on the side panel of the computer.

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 window to get started. On Windows 10 or 8, right-click the Start button and select “Command Prompt”. 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:

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” or “To be filled by O.E.M.” instead of an actual serial number.

RELATED:How to Check Your Motherboard Model Number on Your Windows PC

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

How do i find my computer model and serial number

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.

RELATED:What Does a PC’s BIOS Do, and When Should I Use It?

How Do I Find My Computer S Serial Number

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

How Do I Find My Computer's Serial Number Lookup

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.

How Do I Find My Computer's Serial Number Check

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.

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