Where Do We Find Laptop Serial Number? | Quick Tips Set

You can find a laptop’s serial number in system settings, on a chassis label, or with a fast command in Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, or Linux.

A serial number is the one identifier support teams, warranty portals, and asset tools trust. You don’t need special software to view it. The quickest path depends on the operating system and whether the sticker under the laptop is still readable. This guide walks through the fastest screen paths and commands, plus a few brand-specific spots people miss.

Quick Places To Check

Start with the simple checks. Many laptops ship with a printed label on the bottom cover or beneath a small hatch. The label might say “Serial,” “S/N,” “SN,” or a brand term such as “Service Tag” (Dell) or “Serial No.” (HP, Lenovo, Acer, ASUS). If you still have the box, the barcode side usually repeats the same number. No luck there? Use the system menus or a one-line command below.

Windows Methods That Work Fast

On a Windows laptop, two reliable approaches are Command Prompt and PowerShell. Both read the BIOS table that stores the serial. You can also view device details in Microsoft System Information (MSINFO32), which is handy when you prefer a menu-based view.

Command Prompt One-Liner

Open Start, type cmd, and run as admin if possible. Then paste:

wmic bios get serialnumber

This queries Windows Management Instrumentation for the BIOS field named SerialNumber. If the output looks blank or says “To be filled by O.E.M.,” the vendor didn’t store it in firmware. Jump to the PowerShell method next.

PowerShell CIM Query

Press Win+X → Windows PowerShell (or Terminal) and run:

Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber

The CIM cmdlet uses modern transport and tends to work even where legacy calls fail. It returns a clean value you can copy into tickets or warranty pages. Microsoft’s PowerShell docs confirm that Get-CimInstance can query BIOS classes that include the serial field.

MSINFO32 For A Click-Through View

Press Win+R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. The report lists system model, BIOS version, and other hardware facts. Some builds also display the serial under System Summary. If it’s missing here, rely on the commands above or the sticker.

Brand Apps On Windows

Dell SupportAssist, HP Support Assistant, Lenovo Vantage, and Acer Care Center often read and show the serial in a device info panel. These are optional but handy when you already use brand utilities for updates and drivers.

macOS Paths That Show The Serial

On a MacBook, you rarely need a terminal. You’ll see the serial in the About panel and in Apple’s coverage screen. Apple documents both paths in its help pages.

System Settings Route

Apple menu → System Settings → General → About. The serial appears near the top with model details. Apple’s guide to About settings on Mac matches this path.

System Report Route

From About, click System Report. The serial shows on the Hardware Overview page. This is useful when you need extra specs for a service request along with the serial.

Terminal (When macOS Won’t Fully Boot)

If the Mac reaches Recovery but not the desktop, open Terminal from the Utilities menu in Recovery and run:

ioreg -l | grep IOPlatformSerialNumber

The command prints the same identifier you see in the About panel.

Chromebook Tips For Serial Lookup

Most Chromebooks print the serial on the underside label and the retail box. When you’re signed out at the login screen, press Alt+V; the serial appears in the top-right corner with the ChromeOS version. If that shortcut isn’t available on your model, open a browser window and go to chrome://system#vpd_2.0, then search for “Serial Number.” Managed devices also expose serials to admins in the Google Admin console device list.

Linux Commands For A Clear Answer

On Linux laptops, the serial lives in the SMBIOS table. The standard tool to read it is dmidecode. You may need root to access hardware tables.

Show Only The System Serial

sudo dmidecode -s system-serial-number

This prints one line with the value most vendors write at the factory.

Full System Block

sudo dmidecode -t system

You’ll see manufacturer, product name, version, and the serial in one section. If your distro doesn’t include dmidecode yet, install it from the package manager.

Serial Number Methods By Platform (At A Glance)

Platform	Fast Settings Path	Copy-Paste Command
Windows	msinfo32 or Settings → System → About	Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber
macOS	Apple menu → System Settings → General → About	ioreg -l | grep IOPlatformSerialNumber
ChromeOS	Login screen → press Alt+V	chrome://system#vpd_2.0
Linux	—	sudo dmidecode -s system-serial-number

Brand-Specific Clues That Save Time

Dell

Look for the “Service Tag” on the base cover or in the battery bay on older models. The BIOS setup screen also lists it. In Windows, SupportAssist shows it on the Home tab.

HP

The label reads “Serial No.” near a barcode. HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI shows it on the main page. Windows builds with HP Support Assistant also display it in My Devices.

Lenovo

ThinkPad units often print “S/N” on the bottom, near the model type. In BIOS, the Information page lists the value. Lenovo Vantage for Windows shows it under Device Details.

Acer & ASUS

Both brands print “SN” or “Serial No.” on the underside. Their Windows utilities (Acer Care Center, MyASUS) surface the number on the first screen.

Microsoft Surface

Surface laptops and 2-in-1 models place the serial on the kickstand, keyboard deck, or box. You can also find it in device info pages and in Microsoft’s support flow for registration. Microsoft’s page on locating serials for Surface and accessories outlines these spots.

When The Sticker Is Missing Or Damaged

Not every chassis label survives a battery swap or years of travel. If yours is unreadable, use these fallbacks:

• Firmware: All methods above that read BIOS/SMBIOS still work without a label.
• Retail Order History: Some sellers include the serial on the invoice or order page for returns and coverage.
• Brand Accounts: If you registered the device, the serial appears in your account dashboard.
• Repair Receipts: Service centers print serials on intake and return paperwork.

Where You’ll See A Laptop Serial Number On Screen

The number shows in slightly different spots, but a few patterns hold across brands. In Windows, the BIOS field feeds Command Prompt, PowerShell, and many vendor apps. On Mac, the About panel and Hardware Overview agree. On Chromebooks, the login overlay and the system page both pull from the same VPD record. On Linux, dmidecode reads SMBIOS from the board; that’s why it needs elevated rights on many distros.

Why You Might Need It

Support agents ask for the serial to match your exact configuration, warranty tier, and replacement parts. Warranty portals often require a serial to open a case. Security or asset teams track laptops fleet-wide by that value. If you donate or resell a device, that same field helps the next owner check coverage. Keep the number in your records but don’t post it publicly.

Copy-Ready Blocks For Each Platform

Windows (PowerShell)

Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber

Windows (Command Prompt)

wmic bios get serialnumber

macOS (Terminal)

ioreg -l | grep IOPlatformSerialNumber

ChromeOS (System Page)

chrome://system#vpd_2.0

Linux (Terminal)

sudo dmidecode -s system-serial-number

Tips When The Value Looks Wrong

• Blank Or “To Be Filled By O.E.M.” Some small-batch boards ship with an empty field. Use the chassis label or the box.
• Multiple Numbers On A Sticker Pick the line labeled Serial/SN. Model codes or product numbers do not match warranty forms.
• Refurb Labels Refurbishers sometimes add new stickers. Use firmware or brand portals to confirm the correct value.
• Docking Confusion USB docks and eGPU enclosures also report serials. Make sure you’re querying the laptop, not a peripheral.

Two Official References For Deeper Detail

If you want the vendor’s wording for the paths above, these two pages are concise and reliable:

• Microsoft’s System Information tool page explains the Windows hardware report that many users open before contacting support.
• Apple’s “View About settings on Mac” page shows the path where Mac lists the serial.

FAQ-Style Clarifications (No Fluff)

Is A Product Key The Same As A Serial?

No. A Windows product key or a license code unlocks software. The hardware serial identifies the laptop itself.

Can Support Look It Up Without The Device?

Many brands can find it from a registered device or a repair record, but you’ll move faster if you can read it from firmware or the label.

Does A Reset Change It?

No. The serial is stored by the manufacturer and doesn’t change with resets, reinstalls, or drive swaps.

Wrap-Up: Pick The Fastest Route And Save The Number

Use the quickest method for your system: one line in PowerShell or CMD on Windows, the About panel on Mac, the login screen shortcut on a Chromebook, or a simple dmidecode call on Linux. Snap a photo of the sticker and save the string in your records. The next time support asks, you’ll have it ready.