A serial number is a unique reference used to identify your device – this is often needed to access specific information about your machine for faults, upgrades, warranty, and repairs. Serial numbers are not necessarily numerical, they can contain letters and other symbols.

<aside> 🔢 Please note that for Dell systems, this is called the Service Tag.

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Physical

Serial numbers are often visible printed directly onto or on a sticker on the outside of a machine. Generally on laptops the sticker is underneath (sometimes under a small flap), and for desktops it is usually on the top of the systems box.

Digital

If your machine does not have a sticker and/or you wish to retrieve via Windows:

  1. Click on Start and type cmd

  2. Hit Enter or click to open the Command Prompt application once this is found as a result

  3. Copy and paste this command into the black Command Prompt window and then hit Enter:

    **wmic bios get serialnumber**
    
  4. Your device's serial number will be shown in response