How to Find a Computer Serial Number? Learn simple ways to find your computer’s serial number using Windows settings, Command Prompt, PowerShell, BIOS/UEFI, or the device’s physical label.
How to Find a Computer Serial Number?
You can find a computer's serial number through Windows Command Prompt, PowerShell, BIOS/UEFI, Windows Settings, or the manufacturer's label. The fastest method on most Windows PCs is using Command Prompt.
Find Computer Serial Number Using Command Prompt
Press Windows + R.
Type cmd and press Enter.
Enter this command:
wmic bios get serialnumber
Press Enter.
Windows should display the computer's serial number below SerialNumber.
On some newer Windows installations, WMIC may not be available. If you get an error, use PowerShell instead.
Find Serial Number Using PowerShell
PowerShell provides another quick method:
Right-click the Start button.
Select Terminal or PowerShell.
Enter:
Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber
Press Enter.
The value displayed next to SerialNumber is the serial number reported by the computer's BIOS.
Check the Serial Number in BIOS or UEFI
You can also find the serial number in your computer's firmware settings.
Method Difficulty Best For
Command Prompt Easy Quick Windows check
PowerShell Easy Newer Windows systems
BIOS/UEFI Moderate When Windows isn't working
Physical label Easy Laptops and prebuilt PCs
Manufacturer software Easy Dell, HP, Lenovo and similar PCs
To access BIOS/UEFI:
Restart the computer.
Press the manufacturer's BIOS key during startup.
Look for System Information, Serial Number, or Service Tag.
The exact key varies by manufacturer and computer model.
Check the Physical Computer Label
For a laptop, turn the device over and look for a label containing terms such as:
Serial Number
S/N
SN
Service Tag
Product Number
For a desktop PC, check the back, side, or top of the case.
Find It Through Windows Settings
Windows Settings can show detailed device information, but the serial number isn't displayed on every computer through the standard Settings interface.
You can check:
Settings → System → About
Look for available device specifications and manufacturer information. If the serial number isn't shown, use Command Prompt or PowerShell.
What If the Serial Number Says "To Be Filled by O.E.M."?
If Command Prompt or PowerShell returns something like:
To Be Filled By O.E.M.
or another generic value, the computer's BIOS may not contain a properly programmed serial number.
In that situation, check:
The physical label on the computer
The original packaging
Your purchase invoice
The manufacturer's support website
Manufacturer-specific software
Serial Number vs. Model Number
These numbers serve different purposes.
Information Purpose
Serial Number Identifies a specific physical device
Model Number Identifies the computer model
Product Number Identifies a particular product configuration
Service Tag Manufacturer-specific device identifier
For example, two computers can have the same model number but different serial numbers.
Why Do You Need a Computer Serial Number?
A serial number can be useful when:
Contacting technical support
Checking warranty status
Registering a device
Ordering replacement parts
Identifying a specific computer
Reporting a lost or stolen device
Checking manufacturer service information
Quickest Method
For most Windows computers, start with Command Prompt:
wmic bios get serialnumber
If that command doesn't work, open PowerShell and use:
Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber
Bottom Line
The easiest way to find a Windows computer's serial number is through Command Prompt or PowerShell. If Windows doesn't report a useful serial number, check the computer's physical label, BIOS/UEFI, original documentation, or the manufacturer's support tools.
