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Have you ever wondered what your computer’s hardware ID (HWID) is or how to check it? Knowing your hardware ID can be useful for troubleshooting or software licensing. In this article, we’ll explore various methods to find and check your HWID.

What is the HWID used for?

HWIDs help software developers and system administrators identify your hardware devices. They are used for several purposes, including system authentication, software licensing, and hardware tracking. HWIDs are crucial during software installation to ensure the program is installed on the correct device, preventing unauthorized software use. They also assist in troubleshooting IT issues by helping technicians identify specific hardware components.

What is my HWID?

A hardware ID, also known as HWID or Windows device ID, is a unique hardware device identifier assigned to your computer’s hardware components. Think of it as a digital fingerprint for your hardware, distinguishing it from others to help track and monitor various components, processes, and functions on your device.

While HWID is specific to Windows, other devices have similar identifiers, such as serial numbers on Apple computers.

What does a HWID look like?

HWIDs are generated based on the characteristics of your device’s hardware components, such as the CPU, hard drive, motherboard, and network adapter. Each component has its own unique HWID, usually a mix of alphanumeric characters. HWIDs generally do not contain personally identifiable information (PII).

How do I check my hardware ID?

There are several methods to check the HWID on your device. Let’s take a look at each, step by step:

Using Device Manager

  1. Press Windows key + X and choose “Device Manager.”
  2. Enlarge the desired category.
  3. Right-click on the desired device and select “Properties.”
  4. Go to the “Details” tab.
  5. Choose “Hardware Ids” from the “Property” drop-down menu.
  6. The HWID will be shown in the “Value” field.

Using PowerShell

  1. Open PowerShell by pressing Windows key + X and selecting “Windows PowerShell.”
  2. Type Get-WmiObject Win32_BaseBoard | Select-Object -ExpandProperty SerialNumber and press Enter.
  3. The HWID will be displayed.

Using Command Prompt

  1. Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R, typing “cmd,” and pressing Enter.
  2. Type wmic bios get serialnumber and hit Enter.
  3. The HWID, also known as the Serial Number, will show.

Using Windows Device Console (DevCon)

  1. Download and extract the DevCon from the Microsoft website.
  2. Open Command Prompt and navigate to the DevCon folder.
  3. Type devcon hwids * and hit Enter.
  4. The HWIDs for all devices will appear.

Simplify HWID checks with Atera’s endpoint management software

Manually checking hardware IDs can be tedious, especially across numerous devices. Atera’s endpoint management software automates this process, making it much more efficient.

Atera streamlines IT operations by automating tasks such as hardware ID checks, software deployment, patch management, and monitoring. For instance, when conducting an IT asset inventory, Atera can quickly gather hardware IDs from all your devices, saving time and ensuring accuracy. This IT automation makes it easier to maintain a well-organized IT environment and stay on top of all your devices.

With Atera’s all-in-one RMM and PSA platform, you can enhance your IT management capabilities, including HWID checks. Start your free trial today.

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