How To Locate PC Serial Number

If you’ve been having trouble locating your PC’s serial number, don’t worry – there are a number of methods available for finding this important piece of information. While many PC manufacturers place a label with the serial number on the bottom of the device, this isn’t always the case. In some instances, the label may be missing or obscured, making it difficult to locate.

Fortunately, there are several alternative methods for finding your PC’s serial number. These include using built-in tools such as the Command Prompt or PowerShell, or downloading third-party tools that can provide detailed information about your system. By using these methods, you can quickly and easily find the serial number of your PC, which can be useful for a variety of purposes, from registering your device to troubleshooting issues with hardware or software.

Using the Command Prompt or PowerShell to find your PC’s serial number is a relatively straightforward process, and requires only a few simple steps. These built-in tools are available on most Windows machines, and can be used to find a range of system information, including the serial number. However, for users who are not comfortable using the command line interface, there are third-party tools available that can provide an easy-to-use interface and graphical user interface to make it simpler to find the serial number.

Ways to Locate PC Serial Number

There are four main ways to find the serial number of your PC:

1. Look for the serial number on the back or bottom of the PC

If you need to find the serial number of your PC, one of the first places to look is underneath the device. Most PC manufacturers place a label with the serial number on the bottom of the device, near the edge of the laptop or on the back of a desktop tower. The label should include both the serial number and model number, making it easy to identify your device.

To find the label, first ensure that your PC is turned off and unplugged. Carefully turn the device over so that you can see the underside. Look for a label that includes text such as “Serial No.” or “S/N,” and note the numbers listed beside it. Depending on the manufacturer, the label may also include a barcode or QR code that can be scanned to reveal the serial number.

It’s worth noting that the location of the label may vary depending on the manufacturer and model of your PC. Some manufacturers, such as Dell and HP, place the label on the side of the device rather than on the bottom. If you’re having trouble finding the label, consult the manufacturer’s website for specific guidance on where to look.

If you’re still having trouble locating the serial number, you can also try checking the original packaging or manual that came with your PC. The serial number is often included on a sticker or label attached to the packaging, or may be printed in the manual. If you purchased your PC secondhand or no longer have access to the packaging or manual, there are other methods for finding the serial number that we’ll explore in the next sections.

2. Check the original packaging or manual

If you still have the original packaging or manual for your PC, you may be able to find the serial number there. Look for a sticker on the box or in the manual that contains the serial number. This is a good option if you don’t want to physically handle your PC to find the serial number.

3. Use the Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you’re unable to locate the serial number of your PC using the physical label or packaging, another option is to use the Command Prompt or PowerShell. Both of these tools are built into Windows and can be used to find a range of system information, including the serial number of your PC.

To use Command Prompt, open the Start menu and type “cmd” into the search bar. Select the Command Prompt app from the search results. Once the Command Prompt window opens, type “wmic bios get serialnumber” (without the quotation marks) and press Enter. This will display the serial number of your PC in the Command Prompt window.

If you prefer to use PowerShell, open the Start menu and type “PowerShell” into the search bar. Select the PowerShell app from the search results. Once the PowerShell window opens, type “Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber” (without the quotation marks) and press Enter. This will display the serial number of your PC in the PowerShell window.

While using Command Prompt or PowerShell may seem daunting for some users, it is a relatively straightforward process that can provide you with the information you need. If you’re unfamiliar with these tools, there are many online resources available that provide step-by-step instructions for using them.

4. Use third-party software tools

If you’ve tried the previous methods and still haven’t been able to locate your PC’s serial number, there are third-party tools available that can help. These tools can be downloaded and installed on your PC, and they can provide a range of information about your system, including the serial number.

One popular third-party tool for finding system information is called Speccy. This tool can be downloaded for free from the manufacturer’s website, and it provides detailed information about your PC’s hardware and software. To use Speccy to find your PC’s serial number, simply download and install the software, then open it and navigate to the “Summary” tab. The serial number should be listed under “Operating System.”

Another option is the Belarc Advisor, which is also available as a free download. Like Speccy, Belarc Advisor provides detailed information about your PC’s hardware and software, including the serial number. To use Belarc Advisor to find your PC’s serial number, download and install the software, then open it and navigate to the “Computer Profile Summary” section. The serial number should be listed under “System Model.”

While third-party tools can be helpful for finding system information, it’s important to use caution when downloading and installing software from the internet. Always make sure to download software from a reputable source, and run a virus scan on any downloaded files before installing them. It’s also important to note that some third-party tools may require payment to access certain features or information.

Detailed Explanation of Each Method

Look for the serial number on the back or bottom of the PC

If you’re using a desktop PC, the serial number is usually located on a label on the back of the device. On a laptop or tablet, the label may be located on the bottom of the device. The label should include the serial number as well as other information about your PC, such as the model number and manufacturing date. The label may be difficult to read if your PC is dusty or dirty, so make sure to clean it off before trying to read the label.

Check the original packaging or manual

If you still have the original packaging or manual for your PC, this is a great place to look for the serial number. The packaging or manual should have a sticker that includes the serial number, along with other important information about your PC. If you don’t have the original packaging or manual, you may be able to find a digital copy of the manual online.

Use the Command Prompt or PowerShell

Using the Command Prompt or PowerShell is a bit more technical than the other methods, but it can provide you with a lot of detailed system information. To find the serial number using Command Prompt or PowerShell, open either program and type “wmic bios get serialnumber” without the quotation marks.This will display the serial number of your PC. If you’re using PowerShell, you can also type “Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber” without the quotation marks. This will also display the serial number of your PC, as well as other information about your BIOS.

Use third-party software tools

If you don’t want to use Command Prompt or PowerShell, there are several third-party software tools that can help you find the serial number of your PC. Belarc Advisor, for example, is a free program that can provide you with detailed system information, including the serial number of your PC. Speccy is another free program that can provide you with system information, including the serial number. HWiNFO is a more advanced system information tool that can provide you with even more detailed information about your PC.

Conclusion

Knowing the serial number of your PC is important for a variety of reasons, from warranty and support purposes to system upgrades and repairs. While there are several ways to find the serial number of your PC, the easiest methods are to look for the label on the back or bottom of your PC or to check the original packaging or manual. If those methods don’t work, you can use Command Prompt or PowerShell to find the serial number, or you can use a third-party software tool. No matter which method you choose, it’s always a good idea to keep track of your PC’s serial number in case you need it in the future.