How to find a laptop serial number
There are a few reasons why it’s important to know your laptop’s serial number. Like if it’s under warranty and the manufacturer needs it to correctly identify and fix an issue. Or if you’re looking to trade in your laptop, and are asked for the serial number.
That’s why in this article, we’re going to guide you through a few ways to easily find these details on Windows laptops and Apple MacBook devices.
Reasons why you should know your laptop’s serial number
We’ve covered a couple already, but here are most of the potential reasons why you might need to know your laptop serial number:
- Support and maintenance: If you need tech support or repairs for your laptop, the manufacturer will probably want to know its serial number to check your device’s warranty status and specs.
- Reporting a stolen laptop: If your laptop is ever stolen, your serial number can be used to identify your device and increase the chances of it being recovered.
- Insurance claims: In the unfortunate event of damaging your laptop, your insurance provider might require the serial number to process a claim.
- Software installation: Some software brands might check the serial number of your laptop for installation or verifying ownership.
- Resale value: If you’re planning on selling or trading in your laptop, knowing the serial number can be essential for interested buyers. This is so they can check your device’s authenticity and specs.
Where to find the serial number on a Windows laptop
Windows laptops are made by lots of computer brands, but the methods below should apply to most makes and models…
Using the Command Prompt
If your computer is running on Windows 10 or 11, you can locate your device’s serial number via Command Prompt. Just follow these simple steps to find it in seconds:
- Open Command Prompt by searching cmd in the search field on the bottom-left of your screen.
- Type wmic bios get serialnumber into Command Prompt and press Enter on your keyboard.
- Your laptop’s serial number will then appear on your display.
And that’s it! Your laptop’s cmd serial number can also be highlighted and copied in Command Prompt and pasted wherever you need it.
Finding the serial number physically
If using Command Prompt feels daunting or your laptop won’t turn on due to an issue, you’ll probably be able to find its serial number somewhere on the enclosure.
Just flip your laptop over and look closely for ‘Serial number’ (it might be labelled ‘S/N’ instead). This should then be followed by a sequence of digits and letters. If you can’t see it, head up to your loft and locate the box your laptop came in. It might be on the packaging or some of the documentation your laptop came with — like a purchase receipt or warranty card.
How to find the serial number on a MacBook
If you’re rocking a MacBook, then there are a few different methods you can use to locate its serial number:
- Check the bottom of your MacBook: Just turn your MacBook over and look for the serial number printed on the bottom of the enclosure.
- Use ‘About This Mac’: Click on the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and select ‘About This Mac’. You should see your MacBook’s serial number in the overview tab.
- Log into your Apple ID account: If your MacBook won’t boot up because of a problem, just open the Apple ID account website on a browser on your phone (or other device), then log in. You’ll be able to see the serial numbers of all your registered Apple gadgets in the devices section, including your MacBook.
FAQs
What is a laptop serial number?
It’s a unique code (made up of letters and numbers) assigned to your laptop only. This means that you won’t find any other laptop with the same one. Serial numbers are mostly used by manufacturers for inventory, warranty, and repair tracking — allowing them to quickly identify the specific model of your device.
How do I find my laptop model?
You should be able to find info for the model of your laptop on the chassis somewhere or on the box it came in. If you can’t find it on your Windows laptop, just open System Information from your Start menu, then click on ‘System Summary’ to see your laptop model number. On a MacBook, just open the Apple menu, select ‘About This Mac’, then click ‘System Report’ to find it.
Source: CURRYS