How to Get Serial Numbers Without WMIC: A Practical Guide

Name: How to Find Your PC Serial Number in Windows 11 | WMIC Not Working Fix (PowerShell Method)
Uploaded: 2026-02-15
Duration: 1 min 31 s
Description: Learn safe, reliable ways to locate and verify serial numbers on electronics, appliances, vehicles, guns, and tools without WMIC. This step-by-step guide covers System Information, Settings, PowerShell Get-CimInstance, and OEM tools with verification tips.

Learn safe, reliable ways to locate and verify serial numbers on electronics, appliances, vehicles, guns, and tools without WMIC. This step-by-step guide covers System Information, Settings, PowerShell Get-CimInstance, and OEM tools with verification tips.

Hardware Serials Team

February 15, 2026·5 min read

Serial Number Lookup Laptop Serial Windows Serial

Quick AnswerSteps

In this guide, you will learn safe, reliable ways to retrieve a device’s serial number without WMIC. We cover System Information, Settings, PowerShell Get-CimInstance commands, and OEM tools, plus how to verify numbers against manufacturer records. You’ll also find checks that work for non-Windows devices.

Why knowing how to get serial number without WMIC matters

Retrieving a serial number without WMIC is essential for IT professionals, technicians, and DIYers who work with electronics, appliances, vehicles, guns, and tools. WMIC has been deprecated on many modern Windows systems, and its outputs can be incomplete or unreliable across OEMs. The Hardware Serials team emphasizes practical, future-proof methods that you can apply on a wide range of devices. This section explains why alternatives are necessary and how they fit into daily workflows, such as warranty claims, asset management, and repair documentation. Expect to spend about 10-15 minutes learning the core approaches and about 5-10 minutes for live testing on your devices.

WMIC is legacy — why alternatives win today

WMIC once provided a quick way to pull serial numbers, but it’s being phased out in favor of more modern, secure, and script-friendly tools. Alternatives like System Information, the Settings About page, and PowerShell Get-CimInstance rely on standard Windows interfaces and vendor-friendly data access. These methods work across a broader set of devices and reduce the risk of running into deprecated tooling. Hardware Serials notes that relying on official channels—BIOS, UEFI, or firmware-provided labels—helps ensure accuracy and longevity of your records.

Method A: System Information (msinfo32) to find serial numbers

System Information exposes hardware details in a centralized interface. To check for a serial number, press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and look under System Summary. The Serial Number or similar fields may appear for laptops and desktops, especially OEM configurations. If the serial isn’t listed there, it may be stored in BIOS/UEFI or on physical labels. This method is quick, requires no admin privileges in many cases, and works offline when you don’t have internet access.

Method B: Settings and About pages for device serials

Some devices expose their serial numbers in the Windows Settings app. Go to Settings > System > About (or the device’s Manufacturer section) and inspect the Device specifications. If the serial is present, copy it for your records. This method is particularly useful for newer devices where OEMs expose the serial on first-run screens or packed documentation. If you don’t see a serial number here, proceed to PowerShell or BIOS checks.

Method C: PowerShell Get-CimInstance for BIOS and Baseboard serials

PowerShell offers scriptable access to hardware data via CIM (Common Information Model) commands. Open PowerShell (preferably as Administrator) and run:

Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_BaseBoard | Select-Object SerialNumber

These commands fetch BIOS and motherboard serial numbers when exposed by the firmware. If you see null values, try alternate classes or note that some devices don’t publish certain serials via CIM. This approach is powerful for inventory automation.

Method D: BIOS/UEFI and OEM tools

Many systems display a serial number on the BIOS/UEFI splash screen or through OEM utilities (like Dell BIOS Utility, HP Support Assistant, Lenovo Vantage). Reboot and enter the BIOS/UEFI (commonly F2, Del, or F10) to view the system serial. OEM tools can export serial data to logs or CSV files for asset management. If you’re working with non-PC hardware, check the device’s label or packaging for the serial.

Cross-checks: verify serials with manufacturer resources

Once you have one or more serial numbers, verify them against manufacturer support pages or warranty lookup tools. Copy-paste the serial into the official lookup to confirm model numbers, warranty status, and manufacture date. Cross-checking avoids mismatches caused by refurbished parts or multiple components reporting different identifiers.

Special cases: external devices, guns, appliances, and vehicles

Serial numbers on external devices, appliances, vehicles, and firearms follow their own labeling conventions. Always handle sensitive items in accordance with local laws and manufacturer guidelines. Where possible, use official packaging, receipts, or manufacturer portals to verify authenticity. This guide provides general methods; adapt them to the specific device class while respecting safety and legal requirements.

Tools & Materials

Windows PC(Any supported Windows edition (Windows 10/11))
PowerShell(Use Get-CimInstance commands)
System Information tool (msinfo32)(Optional but helpful)
Internet connection(For OEM verification and online docs)
Device packaging/manual(For physical serial labels)

Steps

Estimated time: 15-30 minutes

1
Identify the target device and gather identifiers
Clarify which device you’re checking (PC, laptop, tablet, gadget). Collect model, make, and any visible labels to guide later checks.
Tip: Note whether the device is corporate-owned or personal, as this affects data access.
2
Open System Information (msinfo32) to locate serials
Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. In System Summary, scan for a Serial Number entry or BIOS-related fields that may include a serial.
Tip: If you don’t see a Serial Number field, try BIOS-based sources later.
3
Check Settings > About for device serials
Navigate Settings > System > About. Look for a Serial Number or Device serial under Device specifications. Copy it if shown.
Tip: Some OEMs expose the serial only on first setup or in a vendor app.
4
Run PowerShell to fetch BIOS serials
Open PowerShell (Admin) and run Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber to pull the BIOS serial.
Tip: If you get null, try the next command or check BIOS/UEFI.
5
Fetch motherboard serial via CIM
In PowerShell, run Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_BaseBoard | Select-Object SerialNumber to retrieve the baseboard serial number.
Tip: Some systems don’t publish BaseBoard serial numbers via CIM.
6
Try additional CIM classes for other serials
Optionally run Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_PhysicalMedia | Select-Object SerialNumber. This may reveal drive or media serials.
Tip: Disregard null results; not all devices publish all serial types.
7
Check BIOS/UEFI and OEM tooling
If software methods fail, reboot into BIOS/UEFI or use OEM utilities to locate the serial. Record it for inventory.
Tip: Be careful not to change BIOS settings; only view the serial.
8
Verify and document serials securely
Compare found serials with manufacturer docs, note dates and models, and store in a secure inventory log.
Tip: Use a password-protected note or approved asset management tool.

Pro Tip: Always run PowerShell as Administrator if you encounter access issues.

Warning: Do not modify BIOS/UEFI settings while looking up serial numbers.

Note: Not every device publishes every serial: rely on multiple sources.

Pro Tip: Keep serials in a centralized asset log for warranties and service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find the serial number without admin rights?

Some methods, like System Information or Settings, can display serials without admin rights. For CIM queries, you may need admin privileges on restricted machines.

What if the serial number isn’t exposed by Windows?

If Windows won’t show the serial, check BIOS/UEFI and OEM utilities, or look for labels on the chassis or packaging. Cross-check with the manufacturer’s site.

Is Get-CimInstance faster than Get-WmiObject?

Get-CimInstance uses WS-Management and is generally faster and more reliable on modern Windows. Get-WmiObject is deprecated in many environments.

Can I use these methods for non-Windows devices?

Yes. For non-Windows devices, rely on OEM labels, packaging, or manufacturer portals to locate the serial number.

What is the difference between BIOS serial and motherboard serial?

BIOS serial is tied to the firmware, while the motherboard serial identifies the baseboard hardware. They may both be exposed differently across devices.

What should I do if a device has no serial at all?

Some devices lack a visible serial; contact the manufacturer or check purchase records. For refurbished devices, verify the numbers against the original vendor.