Finding the Device Serial Number in Windows Using PowerShell

Purpose

This document explains how to locate a device serial number in Windows using PowerShell.

The serial number retrieved through this method is read directly from the system BIOS.

Overview

Windows PowerShell can query system hardware information using Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). This allows users to quickly retrieve the system serial number without entering the BIOS setup menu.

Requirements

Windows operating system
PowerShell access
Standard user permissions (Administrator privileges are typically not required)

Procedure

Step 1 — Open PowerShell

Option A — Using the Start Menu

Click the Windows Start button
Type:
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```
```
PowerShell
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Select Windows PowerShell

Option B — Using Search

Click the Windows search bar
Type:
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```
```
PowerShell
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Press Enter

Step 2 — Run the Command

Copy and paste the following command into the PowerShell window:

Get-WmiObject Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber

Press Enter.

Expected Result

PowerShell will display the serial number stored in the system BIOS.

Example:

SerialNumber
------------
ABC123456789

Understanding the Output

The returned value represents the device’s BIOS serial number and is commonly used for:

Warranty verification
Technical support
Asset management
RMA processing
Inventory tracking

Troubleshooting

No Serial Number Returned

If the serial number field is blank or unavailable:

Restart the system and try again
Verify WMI services are running
Check for BIOS corruption or firmware issues

Command Not Recognized

If PowerShell reports the command is unavailable:

Ensure PowerShell is installed and enabled
Verify WMI functionality is operational
Use an elevated PowerShell session if required

Alternative Command (Newer PowerShell Versions)

On newer Windows systems, the following command may also be used:

Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumber

This command performs the same function using the CIM framework.

Additional Notes

The serial number shown is read directly from BIOS firmware.
Some organizations may customize or overwrite BIOS serial information during deployment.
Formatting and serial number length may vary by hardware model.

Revision History

Version	Date	Description
1.0	May 13, 2026	Initial release