How to Find Your PC Serial Number in Windows 11 or 10

To read a PC’s serial number in Windows 11 or 10, open PowerShell and run Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber. The value depends on what the manufacturer stored in firmware; compare it with the device label or maker’s support app. On a Surface, Microsoft also documents Settings > System > About. Other PCs may not show that field in Settings.

You usually need the serial number for warranty checks, repairs, driver downloads, and insurance or theft reports. Here is every way to find it, including when the PC won’t turn on.

Find a Surface Serial Number in Settings

1. Right-click Start and select Settings.
2. Select System, then About.
3. Look under Windows specifications for Serial number.

These Settings steps come from Microsoft’s Surface serial-number guide. Its scope is Surface devices, not every PC manufacturer. If you use another PC or the field is absent, use the firmware-reading command or that maker’s physical-label and support-app methods below.

Find the Serial Number With PowerShell

1. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal. It opens to PowerShell.
2. Type or paste this command:

Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber

3. Press Enter. The serial number appears under SerialNumber.

You don’t need administrator rights for this command. On Dell PCs, this number is the Service Tag.

On Windows 10, search Start for Windows PowerShell, open it, and run the same command. It reads the Win32_BIOS SerialNumber property, a hardware ID set by the PC maker, not your Windows product key.

From Command Prompt

If you’re already in Command Prompt, run this to print just the number:

powershell -command "(Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS).SerialNumber"

Why the Old WMIC Command Doesn’t Work

Older guides use wmic bios get serialnumber. Microsoft has removed the WMIC tool from currently supported versions of Windows 11, and it can no longer be added back as an optional feature. If you try the old command, you’ll see an error saying wmic is not recognized. The PowerShell command above gets the same information.

Other Places to Find the Serial Number

On the device

Look for a sticker or printed text that says S/N, Serial, or Service Tag:

• Laptops: the bottom of the case, sometimes under the battery on older models. You can enter it on the maker’s support site to look up specs such as your laptop’s screen size.
• Desktops: the back, side, or top of the case.
• All-in-ones: the back of the screen or under the stand.
• Surface: under the keyboard near the hinge on Surface Laptop, or under the kickstand on Surface Pro and Surface Go, according to Microsoft.

In the maker’s app

Dell SupportAssist, HP Support Assistant, Lenovo Vantage, MyASUS, and the Surface app all show the serial number on their home or device information screen.

In the BIOS or UEFI

1. Restart the PC.
2. Press the setup key shown on the startup screen, often F2, F10, or Delete.
3. Look on the main or system information page for the serial number.
4. Exit without saving changes.

If the PC Won’t Turn On

You can still find the serial number without Windows:

• Check the label on the device, as described above.
• Look on the original box, the receipt, or the order confirmation email.
• Sign in to the maker’s support site if you registered the PC. For a Surface, the Microsoft Device Service & Repair page lists registered devices and their serial numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Windows 11 have a serial number?

Windows itself doesn’t. The serial number belongs to the computer and is set by its maker. Windows uses a product key or digital license for activation instead.

Why does the command show “To be filled by O.E.M.” or nothing?

The maker didn’t store a serial number in the firmware. This is common on custom-built desktops. Check the motherboard box or label instead.

Is the serial number the same as the Windows product key?

No. The serial number identifies the hardware for warranty and support. The product key activates Windows. If you need that instead, see our guide to Windows 11 product keys. To check which version of Windows the PC runs, see how to tell if you have Windows 10 or 11.

Is it safe to share my serial number?

Share it with the maker’s support team or a repair shop when they ask. Avoid posting it publicly, since it can be used to look up your warranty details.

Need your processor, RAM, or Windows version too? Here’s how to check system configuration in Windows 11.