# "Wmic bios get serialnumber" is Officially Dead **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 13, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmic-bios-get-serialnumber-is-officially-dead/1032325 "2026-08-13T13:28:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmic-bios-get-serialnumber-is-officially-dead/1032325/1 "2026-08-13T13:28:59Z")
Well, Windows, in its not so infinite wisdom, has removed “wmic” from the command that allows you to get the serial number of your computer in case the label on the back is illegible or completely worn off. I did a quick google search but have had no luck and now have to go to the teacher institute that is starting momentarily. My official question: After you go to CMD as an administrator, what is the new command line for finding the serial number of your device? “Wmic” is not part of any answer, so that means that “answer” is old and unworkable. We have a lot of old equipment, and the serial numbers can only be accessed through the CMD, so my inventory functions are in a world of hurt if I can’t get an answer that works. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmic-bios-get-serialnumber-is-officially-dead/1032325/2 "2026-08-13T13:50:14Z")
In Powershell (launch it from the start menu, or type `powershell` from CMD), you can _try_ this, but it might just say “To be filled by OEM”: ```auto # Pick whichever query cmdlet this PowerShell version has $q = if (Get-Command Get-CimInstance -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) { { param($class) Get-CimInstance $class } } else { { param($class) Get-WmiObject $class } } # @(...)[0] guards against classes that return several instances $cs = @(& $q Win32_ComputerSystem)[0] $csp = @(& $q Win32_ComputerSystemProduct)[0] $se = @(& $q Win32_SystemEnclosure)[0] $bios = @(& $q Win32_BIOS)[0] $bb = @(& $q Win32_BaseBoard)[0] $o = New-Object PSObject $o | Add-Member NoteProperty Computer $cs.Name $o | Add-Member NoteProperty Manufacturer $cs.Manufacturer $o | Add-Member NoteProperty Model $cs.Model $o | Add-Member NoteProperty BIOS_Serial $bios.SerialNumber $o | Add-Member NoteProperty Product_ID $csp.IdentifyingNumber $o | Add-Member NoteProperty BaseBoard $bb.SerialNumber $o | Add-Member NoteProperty Chassis $se.SerialNumber $o | Add-Member NoteProperty Asset_Tag $se.SMBIOSAssetTag $o | Add-Member NoteProperty PS_Version $PSVersionTable.PSVersion.ToString() $o | Format-List ``` It should output something like (but hopefully with real serials for you): [![](https://fightingignorance.org/9aab1768-aaa0-4a77-adaf-bedd9fc46560-image.png) ](https://fightingignorance.org/9aab1768-aaa0-4a77-adaf-bedd9fc46560-image.png) There’s not a one-size-fits-all command because there are different Windows versions, different Powershell versions, and different places manufacturers can put serial numbers (or not, in my case). ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmic-bios-get-serialnumber-is-officially-dead/1032325/3 "2026-08-13T13:51:13Z")
If the computer is from some major brand (Dell, etc.), their own Windows app (the thing you use to configure the hardware or download firmware updates, etc.) might also show it in the app itself. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmic-bios-get-serialnumber-is-officially-dead/1032325/4 "2026-08-13T13:53:04Z")
If your computer has an online Serial Number, it should show up somewhere in your BIOS settings (before booting Windows). ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmic-bios-get-serialnumber-is-officially-dead/1032325/5 "2026-08-13T15:05:53Z")
You totally rock! 😎 💯 The boiled down version in case anyone else might need this info: In search box type **CMD** and run it as an administrator. Key: **powershell** Key: **Get-CimInstance win32\_BIOS** It shows the serial number, the manufacturer, and the name of the computer. Thank you, thank you, thank you, oh great one! 🙂 PS: Sorry, I should have mentioned that this is for Windows 11 computers. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmic-bios-get-serialnumber-is-officially-dead/1032325/6 "2026-08-13T15:10:26Z")
Yay! I love this place ❤ . ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmic-bios-get-serialnumber-is-officially-dead/1032325/7 "2026-08-13T15:10:54Z")
Right you are! Just tested it and it is definitely there. Gee, why would I think of checking the BIOS for something that had BIOS in its command line?! Hmm … LOL ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmic-bios-get-serialnumber-is-officially-dead/1032325/8 "2026-08-13T15:12:25Z")
I know, these folks are amazing. We should replace Congress with our SDMB members. We might still be able to save our nation.