Windows doesn’t display your PC’s serial number anywhere in its interface, and neither do popular system information tools. But you can often find a PC’s serial number with a simple command, a peek in your BIOS, or on the hardware itself.

Run the WMIC Command

Open a Command Prompt window to get started. On Windows 10 or 8, right-click the Start button and select “Command Prompt”. On Windows 7, press Windows + R, type “cmd” into the Run dialog, and then press Enter.

Every HP computer has a serial number on the surface of the computer. You can also use your operating system (Windows or Chrome) to find the number.

At the Command Prompt, type the following command and then press Enter:

You’ll see the computer’s serial number displayed beneath the text “SerialNumber”. This command uses the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool to pull the system’s serial number from its BIOS.

If you don’t see your PC’s serial number, blame your PC’s manufacturer. The number will only appear here if the PC manufacturer saved it to your computer’s BIOS or UEFI firmware. PC manufacturers don’t always fill in the number properly. In that case, you’ll see something like “0” or “To be filled by O.E.M.” instead of an actual serial number.

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This is also true if you built your own PC because the PC itself won’t have a serial number. However, you can look up the serial number of your motherboard and other components.

Check the BIOS

You may also be able to find the serial number in the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings screen. This technique won’t get you a serial number if the wmic command didn’t, since the command pulls the serial number from the BIOS. However, checking the BIOS could be helpful if you can’t actually sign into Windows to run the wmic command.

RELATED:What Does a PC’s BIOS Do, and When Should I Use It?

Access the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings screen and look around for a “Serial Number” somewhere on a system information screen. It’ll be in a different place on different PCs, but you can usually find it somewhere on the “Main” or “System” screen.

Find the Serial Number On the PC’s Hardware, Box, or Elsewhere

If you don’t see a serial number after running the wmic command—or if you just can’t turn the PC on or don’t have access to it—there are several other places you might find the serial number:

• If you have a laptop, flip it over. On some laptops, you’ll see the number on a sticker. On others, you’ll see the number printed directly on the metal or plastic the laptop is made from. If your laptop has a removable battery, the serial number is sometimes on a sticker inside the battery compartment, under the battery.
• If you have a desktop PC, look at the back, top, or side of the case for some sort of sticker. The number may also be on a sticker inside the case, so you might have to open it up.
• If you can’t find the serial number on the PC itself, look online for instructions specific to your model. The manufacturer’s website should tell you exactly where to look.
• If you registered your PC with the manufacturer or received warranty service, the serial number should be included in the registration documentation, warranty service receipt, or email confirmation for the service.

• If you still have the original product box, it usually has the serial number printed on it—often on the same sticker with the bar code.
• If you purchased the PC online or in store, the serial number may be printed on the physical or email receipt you received.

And if you just can’t find your serial number at all, don’t give up hope. If you have proof of purchase, the manufacturer still may be able to help you with whatever service you need and may even be able to find out the serial number for you.

If a Creative Cloud app asks for a serial number

Creative Cloud apps do not require serial numbers. If you are asked to enter a serial number when you start a Creative Cloud app, it is an error. For help resolving this issue, see Troubleshoot when Creative Cloud apps ask for serial number.

If you purchased from Adobe.com or registered your product

If you downloaded your product from Adobe.com or have registered it, finding your serial number is simple. Adobe keeps track of it for you.

To see a list of your registered products and their serial numbers, follow these steps:

Access your Adobe ID account, and sign in with your Adobe ID and password.

Your Adobe ID is the unique email address you first used when you started your membership, or purchased an Adobe app or service. If you used your social (Facebook or Google) account to create your Adobe ID account, your Adobe ID is the same as the email address associated with your social account. For more information, see Manage your Adobe ID account.

In the Order history screen, click the order number in the ORDER# column.

In the Order number screen, click Downloads and Serial Numbers.

If you have the product packaging or a redemption code from a reseller

If you have the product packaging or a redemption code from a reseller, check the following table to find your serial number.

If you purchased your product using a prepaid card, have a boxed product, or bought from a reseller, here's how to find your serial number.

Invalid or revoked serial number

If you receive a message when trying to install Adobe Creative Suite or Adobe Acrobat, stating that the serial number you are using has been revoked, or is invalid, it is because the serial number you are attempting to use has been blocked by Adobe. Adobe blocks serial numbers that are known to have not been issued by Adobe, or are known to have been used fraudulently by unauthorized sellers to produce counterfeit software. Unfortunately, you may only know the serial number has been blocked for this reason when re-activating or reinstalling Adobe software.

To learn more and to resolve this issue, visit this page.

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