Hi
@wojtekmazgaj,
Sometimes Windows updates, generic motherboard replacements, or certain BIOS states can cause the Ctrl+Alt+S shortcut to stop responding or cause System Information to report the serial number as
"To Be Filled By O.E.M." or blank.
Here are three reliable alternative ways to retrieve your serial number:
Method 1: Use Command Prompt or PowerShell (Most Reliable)
Windows queries the BIOS directly through the command line, which often works even when System Information is blank.
- Right-click the Start menu button and select Terminal, PowerShell, or Command Prompt.
- Type or copy-paste the following command and press Enter:
cmd
wmic bios get serialnumber
Use code with caution.
- If that doesn't return it, try this PowerShell-specific command:
PowerShell
Get-CimInstance Win32_Bios | Select-Object SerialNumber
Use code with caution.
Method 2: Use the HP Support Assistant Application
Since it is an HP desktop, the official companion software can pull the hardware signature directly.
- Open your Windows Search bar and look for HP Support Assistant (it comes pre-installed on almost all HP machines).
- If you don't have it, you can open a web browser and go to ://hp.com.
- Once opened, your desktop's exact model and serial number will be displayed right on the dashboard's home screen.
Method 3: Check the Physical Label
If the BIOS information has somehow been completely wiped or corrupted internally, the physical sticker is your foolproof backup.
- For HP Desktops/Towers: Look for a white barcoded sticker. It is typically located on the back, side, or top of the computer chassis.
- It will be explicitly labeled as S/N or Serial.
