How to Find Your Hard Drive Serial Number (HDD & SSD): Four Easy Methods

Isabella Shinn

Updated: July 03, 2025

Finding this number isn't always obvious, especially when your hard drive has been in use for a long time. But don't worry. This guide will walk you through 4 simple methods to locate the serial number for any hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) on both Windows and Mac systems.

• Why Do You Need a Hard Drive Serial Number?
• Method 1: Using Command Prompt (Windows)
• Method 2: Using PowerShell (Windows 10 & 11)
• Method 3: On a Mac (Using System Information)
• Method 4: The Physical Check (The Universal Method)
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do You Need a Hard Drive Serial Number?

Before we dive into the HOW, let's quickly cover the WHY. You'll typically need this number for one of those following reasons:

1. Warranty Claims & RMA

This is the most common reason. Manufacturers use the serial number to verify your drive's warranty status.

2. Technical Support

Support technicians may ask for it to look up specific firmware or known issues.

3. Asset Tracking

Businesses use serial numbers to keep an inventory of their IT hardware.

4. Data Recovery Services

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One of those resaons may lead you here, and now, let's find that number!

Method 1: Using Command Prompt (Windows)

For Windows users, the Command Prompt offers a quick and reliable way to find the serial number without installing any software.

Step 1Click the Start Menu and type cmd.

Step 2Right-click on Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator."

Step 3In the black console window that appears, type the following command and press Enter:

wmic diskdrive get model,name,serialnumber

The command will display a list of all physical drives connected to your computer, along with their model and serial numbers.

Method 2: Using PowerShell (Windows 10 & 11)

PowerShell is a more modern and powerful command-line tool in Windows. The process is very similar to using Command Prompt.

Step 1Click the Start Menu and type "powershell".

Step 2Right-click on Windows PowerShell and select "Run as administrator."

Step 3Copy and paste the following command into the PowerShell window and press Enter:

Get-PhysicalDisk | Select-Object FriendlyName, SerialNumber

PowerShell will neatly list your drives and their corresponding serial numbers. This method is excellent for easily identifying which serial number belongs to which drive.

Method 3: On a Mac (Using System Information)

Finding the hard drive serial number on a Mac is just as simple, using its built-in utility.

Step 1Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen.

Step 2Select "About This Mac."

Step 3In the window that pops up, click the "System Report..." button.

Step 4In the System Information window, navigate to the "Hardware" section on the left-hand panel.

Step 5Click on "Storage" (or "SATA/SATA Express" on older macOS versions).

Step 6Select your hard drive or SSD from the top pane. The drive's details, including the "Serial Number," will be displayed in the bottom pane.

Method 4: The Physical Check (The Universal Method)

If you can't boot into your operating system or if you have an external drive, the most reliable method is to look at the drive itself.

Step 1For internal drives, completely shut down your computer and unplug it from the power source.

Step 2Carefully open your desktop or laptop case to access the hard drive. For laptops, this often involves removing a specific panel on the bottom. For external drives, you may need to open the enclosure.

Step 3Locate the Label: The manufacturer's label on the top of the drive contains a wealth of information. Look for the text "Serial No.", "S/N", or "SN". This is the number you need.

This method is foolproof, as it comes directly from the source. Be careful when handling internal components!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is a hard drive serial number the same as the Windows Product Key?

A: No, they are completely different. The hard drive serial number identifies the physical hardware, while the Windows Product Key is a software license code that activates your copy of the Windows operating system.

Q: Can I find the serial number in the BIOS/UEFI?

A: Sometimes. Many modern BIOS/UEFI systems will list a drive's model and serial number under the storage or boot device sections. However, this isn't standardized across all manufacturers, so using the operating system methods is often faster.

Q: What's the difference between a serial number and a model number?

A: The model number (e.g., "Samsung 970 EVO Plus") identifies the product line—all drives of that type share the same model number. The serial number is a unique identifier for your specific drive and is different for every single unit produced.

Conclusion

Knowing how to check your hard drive's serial number is a valuable piece of technical knowledge. Whether you prefer a quick command-line query in Windows, a few clicks in macOS, or a hands-on physical inspection, you now have the tools to find this unique identifier whenever you need it.