PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows 11 can retrieve your computer’s serial number from the system firmware, but the number is not guaranteed to appear in the Settings app. The quickest dependable method is PowerShell; System Information, BIOS/UEFI, the manufacturer’s utility, and the device label are useful alternatives.
Before searching, make sure you need the computer’s system serial number. It is different from a Windows product key, activation ID, hard-drive serial number, volume serial number, or model number.
What Windows 11 calls the serial number
The system serial number is normally stored by the manufacturer in the computer’s BIOS or UEFI firmware. Windows exposes it through the Win32_BIOS.SerialNumber property. Manufacturers may use a different name for the same identifier—for example, Dell calls it the Service Tag.
For warranty claims, repairs, device registration, and manufacturer support, you will usually need this system identifier rather than the Windows product key.
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Method 1: Find it with PowerShell
PowerShell is the most consistent built-in Windows 11 method because it queries the firmware value directly.
- Open Start.
- Type PowerShell.
- Open Windows PowerShell or PowerShell.
- Paste the following command and press Enter:
(Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_BIOS -Property SerialNumber).SerialNumberThe result should be printed on its own. You normally do not need to run PowerShell as administrator for this query.
To show the property name as well, run:
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_BIOS -Property SerialNumber | Select-Object -Property SerialNumberTo use the expanded-property form documented by Microsoft, run:
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_BIOS -Property SerialNumber | Select-Object -ExpandProperty SerialNumberGet-CimInstance is preferable to older WMI command-line techniques because it is the current PowerShell approach for querying CIM/WMI data.
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Method 2: Use System Information
Windows 11 includes the System Information utility, also known as msinfo32.
- Press Windows key + R.
- Type
msinfo32. - Press Enter.
- In the System Summary pane, find System Serial Number.
You can also open Start, search for System Information, and select the result.
If the tool does not display hardware information normally, check that Windows is not running in Safe Mode. Microsoft’s System Information documentation describes Msinfo32.exe as a built-in tool for viewing hardware, system-component, and software details.
Method 3: Check Settings—especially on Surface devices
On Microsoft Surface hardware, the serial number is available in Settings:
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- Go to System > About.
- Look under the device information or Windows specifications area for Serial number.
Microsoft specifically documents this location for Surface devices, and the value should match the one shown in the Surface app.
On many other Windows 11 laptops and desktops, Settings > System > About does not include a serial-number field. That is normal. If it is missing, use PowerShell or System Information rather than assuming Windows cannot read the number.
Method 4: Look in BIOS or UEFI
If Windows returns a blank or generic value, check the firmware setup screen.
- Save your work and restart the computer.
- As the computer starts, press the manufacturer’s setup key. Common keys include F2, Delete, Esc, and F10.
- Open a page named System Information, Main, Overview, or something similar.
- Find Serial Number, Service Tag, or the manufacturer’s equivalent label.
The exact key and menu layout vary by manufacturer. On Dell computers, the relevant identifier is generally called the Service Tag. Do not change firmware settings while looking for the value.
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Method 5: Check the hardware and packaging
When firmware data is missing or incorrect, inspect the computer itself. Common locations include:
- The underside of a laptop
- The rear, side, or bottom of a desktop tower
- A removable service panel or battery compartment on some older laptops
- The original box, invoice, or warranty paperwork
The label may say Serial Number, S/N, Service Tag, or another manufacturer-specific term. For Surface devices, Microsoft also lists Surface UEFI, the Surface app, the original packaging, and the Device Service & Repair page as possible locations.
Manufacturer-specific options
A manufacturer’s support application may show the same identifier more clearly than Windows does.
| Manufacturer or device | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Surface | Surface app > Device information > Serial number |
| Lenovo | Lenovo Vantage, typically in the device or system information section |
| Dell | Look for the Service Tag in BIOS/UEFI, the Dell support app, or the physical label |
If you are checking a manufacturer’s website, use its support or warranty page and enter the identifier only on the official domain.
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Why the old Command Prompt command may fail
You may see this command in older guides:
wmic bios get serialnumberWMIC is deprecated and may be disabled or removed on current Windows 11 installations, particularly Windows 11 version 24H2. If Command Prompt says 'wmic' is not recognized, that does not indicate a problem with your computer. Open PowerShell and use:
(Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_BIOS -Property SerialNumber).SerialNumberWMI itself is not deprecated; the old wmic.exe command-line utility is the part being phased out. See Microsoft’s WMIC documentation for the status of the command.
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What to do when the result is blank or generic
PowerShell returns nothing
The firmware may not contain a usable serial number, or the manufacturer may not expose it through SMBIOS/WMI. Check BIOS/UEFI, the physical label, the original packaging, or the manufacturer’s support portal.
The result says “To Be Filled By O.E.M.” or “Default string”
These are placeholder firmware values, not dependable serial numbers. They are common on custom-built computers, systems assembled by smaller system builders, and machines that received a replacement motherboard.
A custom-built desktop may have no manufacturer-assigned chassis serial number at all. In that case, use the motherboard serial number, case label, purchase invoice, or retailer asset number if a support form requires an identifier.
The number does not match the sticker
Compare the PowerShell result with BIOS/UEFI and the physical label. Differences can occur after a motherboard replacement, refurbishment, firmware service, or incorrect manufacturer provisioning. For a warranty claim, confirm the correct value with the manufacturer before submitting it.
Keep the identifiers straight
| Identifier | What it identifies |
|---|---|
| System serial number | The computer, as recorded by its firmware |
| Service Tag | Dell’s name for its system serial number |
| Drive serial number | An individual SSD or hard drive |
| Volume serial number | A formatted Windows volume or partition |
| Windows product key | A Windows licensing credential |
If a support form asks for the device serial number, do not substitute the Windows product key or a drive serial number.
Sources
- Microsoft: Win32_BIOS
- Microsoft: Working with WMI in PowerShell
- Microsoft: Find the serial number for Surface devices
- Dell: Locate a system Service Tag
FAQ
What is the fastest way to find a serial number in Windows 11?
Open PowerShell and run (Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_BIOS -Property SerialNumber).SerialNumber. It queries the serial number stored in the computer’s BIOS or UEFI firmware.
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Why is there no serial number in Settings?
Windows 11 does not guarantee a serial-number field in Settings > System > About on generic PCs. Microsoft specifically documents that location for Surface devices. Use PowerShell, System Information, BIOS/UEFI, or the manufacturer’s utility instead.
Is the Windows product key the same as the computer serial number?
No. The product key identifies a Windows license. The computer serial number identifies the physical device and is normally stored in its firmware.
What does “To Be Filled By O.E.M.” mean?
It means the firmware contains a placeholder rather than a properly provisioned serial number. Check the device label, BIOS/UEFI, invoice, or manufacturer records for the correct identifier.
Can I still use WMIC to find the serial number?
Some older installations support wmic bios get serialnumber, but WMIC is deprecated and may be absent from Windows 11 version 24H2. PowerShell’s Get-CimInstance command is the recommended replacement.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe Bottom Line
For most Windows 11 computers, open PowerShell and run (Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_BIOS -Property SerialNumber).SerialNumber. If the result is blank or generic, verify the number in System Information, BIOS/UEFI, the manufacturer’s support app, or the label on the computer. Use the system serial number—or a Dell Service Tag—not a Windows product key or drive serial number.
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