Sometimes the actual serial number is under the battery, but generally all you need is the Service Tag (on the bottom) when dealing with Dell.
- Finding the serial number on a laptop is tricky if you don't know where to look. Laptops generally have several tags containing various codes. On a Dell laptop, the serial number is located on the bottom of, or underneath, the computer. The serial number identifies a laptop and is used as proof of ownership.
- How to get your Dell Service Tag from the command line in Windows and Linux There’s plenty of times you can need the serial number (aka Service Tag) from a Dell machine, but not be able to physically look at the label.
If you're like me you're rarely sitting in front of your customer's hardware. These simple steps will allow you to find the Service Tag for your Dell hardware without looking on the device.
3 Steps total
Step 1: Open command prompt
Go to Start > Run and type cmd to start your command prompt. Administrative rights are not required to run this command.
Choose either method 2 or method 3 depending on your circumstances.
Step 2: Obtain Service Tag locally with command line
In the command prompt type the following and press Enter/Return.
wmic csproduct get vendor,name,identifyingnumber
Step 3: Obtain Service Tag remotely with command line
If VNC or remote desktop connection to the remote-host is not available, execute the following from the local-host to get the service tag of the remote-host.
wmic /user:administrator /node:remote-host bios get serialnumber
Find Dell Laptop Serial Number
You will be prompted for the password for account administrator.
NOTE :: type the command exactly like it appears above only replacing the remote-host part with the workstations name or IP address you're querying. If you want to use a user account other than administrator, replace 'administrator' with the account you wish to use.
57 Comments
- TabascoJer2911 Oct 11, 2011 at 12:45am
We're nearly 100% Dell, and I've never tried that command. It works great! Thanks!
- Habanerojcvnstdn Oct 11, 2011 at 07:34am
working 100%.. well done
- SerranoAZHockeyNut Oct 11, 2011 at 10:19am
Unreal, I have been wondering how to do that for years! Thanks
- Sonoramikecriley Oct 11, 2011 at 10:39am
Nice!
Pipe it to a text doc so you can open it in windows.
wmic csproduct get vendor,name,identifyingnumber > c:stag.txt - SerranoJayse Oct 11, 2011 at 07:20pm
Great idea mikecriley! Thanks for the support guys. Making our IT lives easier is the goal. ;)
- TabascoDevonSchreiner Oct 17, 2011 at 04:56pm
Looks good, Thanks!
- Anaheimbryan_ckh Oct 27, 2011 at 12:32am
i tried this cmd:
wmic /mydomain:administrator /'pc-name':remote-host bios get serialnumber
and i got this error msg: invalid global switch
pls help.
- SerranoJayse Oct 27, 2011 at 12:46am
bryan try the following
wmic /user:administrator /node:YOURPCNAME bios get serialnumber
You'll be prompted for your administrator account. If you want to use another account replace administrator with your account name.
I should have specified which commands are to be customized to fit your environment. My apologies. This should work for you.
- Anaheimbryan_ckh Oct 27, 2011 at 02:36am
Jayse, it works for me now. thanks for the clarification :)
- PimientoCrazyace Feb 10, 2012 at 03:04pm
If you use ' wmic csproduct list brief' it puts out in a better format.
- Pimientom_flash Feb 21, 2012 at 03:02pm
wmic /user:'my username' /node:'workstation I'm trying to remote to' bios get serialnumber
Invalid Global Switch.What am I doing wrong here exactly?
Ok so I got that to work but now I get error message:
ERROR:
Code = 0x800706ba
Description = The RPC server is unavailable. - Datilreth1nk Jan 10, 2013 at 09:13pm
this small capability has been a life saver when students have worn off the sticker underneath a machine from repeatedly inserting and removing from charging stations, carts, or bags.
- TabascoBob_BLC Feb 1, 2013 at 01:36pm
Exactly what I was looking for, thank you!
- Sonoranknoll Feb 1, 2013 at 05:56pm
Thank you! This is wonderful!
- AnaheimUS-Scouser Feb 11, 2013 at 08:58pm
You are a beast. I love you.
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Find Dell Laptop Serial Number Search
All Dell computers use Service Tags to help identify them. The tag is a unique seven digit code that you use whenever you need to download drivers, get help or identify compatible accessories. Alongside the Express Service Code, the codes are your gateway into the Dell ecosystem.
There are three places Dell usually places the tags, in the software, under the badge and underneath the laptop. Where the Service Tag is depends on the hardware in question. For laptops it is usually underneath or under the badge. In a desktop it can be at the back near the ports or behind the drive door at the front. Smaller devices have the Service Tag underneath.
Other ways to find the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 AIO Service Tag
The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 AIO Service Tag is underneath the flip up XPS badge on the outer case. There are other ways to find it if it becomes dislodged or lost. You can find the Service Tag in the system BIOS or within Windows or Linux.
Find the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 service tag in the BIOS.
1. Turn off your device and reboot.
2. Press F12 while the system powers on.
3. Navigate to System Information and you will see the Service Tag in the right pane.
If you use Windows, you can interrogate the system to find the Service Tag.
1. Open a CMD window as an administrator.
2. Type or paste ‘wmic bios get serialnumber’. The Service Tag is the serial number that appears underneath the command.
3. Close the CMD window.
If you have installed Linux on your Dell XPS 13 2-in-1, you can still access the Service Tag.
1. Open a terminal.
2. Type or paste ‘sudo dmidecode -s system-serial-number’. The Service Tag will appear underneath the command.
3. Close the terminal.
Finally, you can install the Dell SupportAssist application if you use Windows. It comes installed on the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1, but if you perform a clean installation of Windows, you will need to download the agent from Dell.
1. Open or download the Dell SupportAssist application.
2. Once opened, your Service Tag should be displayed in the first screen on the left.
3. Note the Service Tag and close Dell SupportAssist.