Finding Your PC Serial Number in Windows 11
Finding your PC’s serial number can feel like a wild goose chase sometimes, but it’s usually easier than it seems. Whether you’re dealing with warranty issues, troubleshooting a problem, or just need that number for a record, knowing how to track it down can save a lot of unnecessary stress.
Open the Command Prompt
So, first thing, you need Command Prompt up and running. Just type “cmd” in that shiny search box on your taskbar. But instead of just hitting Enter, right-click on “Command Prompt” and choose Run as administrator. Trust me, you’ll want those elevated rights to get the good info, or you might end up with nothing at all. Kind of annoying, right?
Another quick route is to use PowerShell. Hit Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin). Easy peasy.
Use the Command
Now that you’re in, type this command:
wmic bios get serialnumber
and hit Enter. This should pull your PC’s serial number from the BIOS. If it doesn’t, and you see “To be filled by OEM” or, worse, nothing at all, it could be that the manufacturer didn’t bother with it—especially on custom builds or certain laptops.
PowerShell Alternative
If you’d rather stick to PowerShell, you can also try:
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumberThis one should give you the same outcome, possibly with a bit more detail if you’re lucky.
Check the Settings App
Not seeing anything that helps? Let’s check the Settings app. Click the Start button, then hit that gear icon for Settings. Head over to System and then About. This section sometimes holds your serial number if your manufacturer decides to share it there. Don’t forget to look under Device specifications. If it’s not there, you might have to go old school and check the physical device.
Physical Location
If all else fails, get ready for some hands-on action. Check your hardware—there’s usually a sticker with the serial number on the back or bottom of your device, or maybe in the battery compartment if it has one. Just be careful—some of those labels are tricky to find and may even require you to move some rubber feet or get really close to read.
Manufacturer’s Support Page
If digging around doesn’t pan out, hitting up the manufacturer’s support site can be your next option. Brands like Dell or HP have tools where you can input your model number or Service Tag to fetch the serial number. Sometimes, their support apps like Dell SupportAssist or HP Hardware Diagnostics can retrieve it for you automatically.
Once you’ve navigated these options, your PC’s serial number should finally be within reach. That number could be the ticket to solving your tech problems, getting warranty service, or just keeping your records straight. Not sure why it’s such a hassle sometimes, but hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone.
- Try Command Prompt or PowerShell first.
- Check the Settings app if those fail.
- Don’t overlook the physical sticker on your device.
- Manufacturer support pages are a good backup.