How to Find Your Motherboard Serial Number on Windows

To find your motherboard serial number on Windows, open Command Prompt as administrator and run wmic baseboard get product,Manufacturer,version,serialnumber. This displays the manufacturer, model, version, and serial number of your motherboard. If the serial number shows as “Default string” or is blank, you will need to check the physical sticker on the motherboard itself.

Applies to: Windows 7, 8.1, 10 (22H2), and Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: April 10, 2026

Key Takeaways

• The wmic baseboard command in Command Prompt displays your motherboard manufacturer, model, version, and serial number — no third-party software needed.
• Some motherboards report the serial number as “Default string” or leave it blank in software. In that case, check the physical sticker on the board near the 24-pin power connector.
• The motherboard serial number is different from your computer’s serial number — it identifies just the board itself, which is useful for warranty claims, RMA requests, and BIOS updates.

Quick Steps

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (search “cmd” in Start, right-click → Run as administrator).
2. Run: wmic baseboard get product,Manufacturer,version,serialnumber
3. Read the serial number from the output. If it shows “Default string”, check the sticker near the 24-pin power connector on the motherboard.

How to Find Your Motherboard Serial Number Using Command Prompt

This is the fastest method and does not require opening your computer. Click the Start button, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Then run this command:

wmic baseboard get product,Manufacturer,version,serialnumber

The output shows four columns: Manufacturer (the brand, such as Gigabyte, ASUS, or MSI), Product (the model number), SerialNumber, and Version. Write down or copy the serial number from the output.

Note: If the serial number column shows “Default string” or is blank, your motherboard’s firmware did not store the serial number in a way that Windows can read. This is common on some boards. Use Method 2 below to find it physically.

You can also use PowerShell to get the same information. Open PowerShell as administrator and run:

Get-CimInstance Win32_BaseBoard | Select-Object Manufacturer, Product, SerialNumber, Version

This returns the same data in a cleaner format. The Get-CimInstance command is the modern replacement for wmic, which Microsoft has deprecated in newer Windows versions.

How to Find the Serial Number Physically on the Motherboard

If the command-line method did not return a serial number, you can find it by looking at the board itself. Shut down your computer, unplug the power cable, and open the side panel of your case.

Look for a small white or silver sticker near the 24-pin ATX power connector on the motherboard. This is the large rectangular plug that connects your power supply to the motherboard. The sticker typically shows the serial number, model number, and a barcode. In my experience from working in computer repair, this is the most common location across brands like Gigabyte, ASUS, MSI, and ASRock.

If you cannot find the sticker near the power connector, check along the edges of the board, near the I/O panel area, or on the back side of the motherboard. Some manufacturers also print the serial number on the original box the motherboard came in.

Why You Might Need Your Motherboard Serial Number

The most common reasons to look up your motherboard serial number are warranty claims and RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) requests. Manufacturers require the serial number to verify your purchase and process replacements. You may also need it when updating your BIOS — some manufacturer support pages use the serial number to identify the exact board revision and provide the correct firmware file.

If you are running hardware diagnostic tests and need to report an issue to the manufacturer, having the serial number ready speeds up the process. It is also helpful when selling or transferring a system, so the buyer can verify the hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the motherboard serial number the same as my computer’s serial number?

No, they are different. The motherboard serial number identifies just that one component. A computer serial number (typically found on a sticker on the outside of the case or in the BIOS) identifies the entire system and is assigned by the PC manufacturer like Dell, HP, or Lenovo. Custom-built PCs do not have a system serial number — only individual component serial numbers.

Why does Command Prompt show “Default string” instead of a serial number?

This happens when the motherboard manufacturer did not program the serial number into the board’s firmware (SMBIOS data). It is more common on older boards and some budget models. The serial number still exists — it is printed on the physical sticker on the board. You will need to open your PC case to read it.

Can I find my motherboard serial number without opening my computer?

Yes, if the Command Prompt or PowerShell method returns a valid serial number. If it shows “Default string” or blank, your only option is to check the physical sticker on the board. Alternatively, check the original box or invoice from when you purchased the motherboard — the serial number is usually printed on those as well.

Does the wmic command work on all versions of Windows?

The wmic baseboard command works on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. However, Microsoft has deprecated WMIC in newer Windows 11 builds. If you get a deprecation warning, use the PowerShell alternative: Get-CimInstance Win32_BaseBoard. This command returns the same information and is supported going forward.