How to Find Your Computer Serial Number Using CMD
Find the serial number reported by your desktop PC or laptop firmware directly from Windows using Command Prompt or PowerShell without opening the computer case.
Published: November 4, 2024
Find Computer Serial Number in Windows
Your computer manufacturer may store the system serial number in firmware. Windows can query this information without requiring you to physically open the computer.
This is particularly useful for checking laptops, desktop PCs, business computers and remotely managed Windows machines.
- CMD Serial Number
- BIOS Serial Number
- PowerShell Serial Number
1. Find the Serial Number Using CMD
On Windows systems where WMIC is available, open Command Prompt and run:
Windows queries the BIOS information and displays the serial number reported by the computer firmware.
WMIC on Newer Windows 11 Versions
WMIC is an older Windows management command-line utility and has been deprecated by Microsoft.
On newer Windows 11 installations, typing the WMIC command may return an error because WMIC is no longer installed by default.
If that happens, use the PowerShell method below instead.
2. Find the Serial Number with PowerShell
PowerShell provides a modern way to query the same Windows management information.
Or display additional BIOS information:
What Serial Number Does Windows Show?
These commands normally return the serial number stored in the computer's BIOS or UEFI firmware by the system manufacturer.
This is different from the Windows product key, Windows activation ID or the serial number of an individual hard drive.
Find Laptop Serial Number Without the Sticker
Laptop serial-number labels can become damaged or difficult to read. Querying the firmware from Windows can provide another way to retrieve the manufacturer's stored system serial number.
This method can be useful with systems from manufacturers such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer and other Windows PC manufacturers, provided the serial number has been correctly stored in firmware.
Serial Number Shows To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Some custom-built computers or replacement motherboards may not contain a properly programmed system serial number.
In those cases Windows may display a placeholder value rather than a usable serial number.
Computer Serial Number Search Topics
This guide covers related Windows questions such as:
- How to find computer serial number
- CMD serial number command
- Windows 11 serial number command
- Windows 10 serial number command
- Find laptop serial number CMD
- Check PC serial number
- BIOS serial number Windows
- WMIC BIOS get serialnumber
- PowerShell computer serial number
- Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS
- Find serial number without opening laptop
- Windows system serial number
Computer Serial Number Frequently Asked Questions
What CMD command shows my PC serial number?
On Windows installations where WMIC is available, use wmic bios get serialnumber.
Why doesn't WMIC work on my Windows 11 PC?
WMIC has been deprecated and may not be installed by default on newer Windows 11 systems. Use PowerShell and Get-CimInstance instead.
What is the PowerShell command for the serial number?
Run (Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS).SerialNumber to retrieve the firmware serial number.
Is this the same as my Windows product key?
No. The computer serial number identifies the hardware system, while the Windows product key relates to Windows licensing.
Can the command return the wrong serial number?
Windows reports the information stored by the manufacturer in firmware. If that information was never programmed correctly, Windows cannot create the correct serial number itself.
Related UniTech LK Windows Guides
Watch the Computer Serial Number CMD Tutorial
Watch the complete 1 minute 48 second UniTech LK tutorial showing how to locate your computer's serial number from Windows.
Watch on YouTube