Find Out Hardware ID, Device Model, and OEM in Windows

If you are a Windows system user, you may encounter occasional hardware or software malfunction; in such cases, you required some basic information like Hardware ID, Device Model, and OEM for your Windows to resolve your issues. So, we are here to provide you a complete guide on finding hardware ID, Device Model, and OEM in Windows.

When is Hardware ID Required?

In case of hardware malfunction, you required the hardware ID of your device to update the driver. Same in upgrading your system, you need the device model to go for the compatible components for your system. When you are reinstalling the operating system, you need the OEM for your windows.

Overall, you should know how to find out the device model, OEM, and hardware ID to resolve your issues in an emergency.

Find Out Hardware ID, Device Model, and OEM in Windows

This post will show how you can use multiple methods to find out these three things about any hardware from within Windows.

1. Hardware ID
2. Device Model
3. OEM

For some of the methods, you will need admin permission.

1] Find out Hardware ID in Windows

Let’s start with Hardware ID, but before that, it’s necessary to understand what hardware ID is and where it is located.

What is Hardware ID?

You will always get an identification string for each hardware which the device vendor usually gives.

Windows typically use the identification string for matching the hardware device with an INF file. This identification string is known as hwid or Hardware ID.

The hardware ID of any device always helps you find the manufacturer and the model of any device. Hardware ID can be beneficial in finding out the correct driver for the device.

Where Is the Hardware ID Located?

Now the question is, where will we find the hardware ID or where it is located? Usually, hardware devices are associated with several hardware IDs. Most of the time, it isn’t obvious for any user to identify the best ID.  In such cases, you have to choose the top of the list for the suitable one because usually, hardware IDs are listed on a decreasing suitability order.

How To Check Hardware ID in Windows?

Here we are giving you all the required steps to check the hardware ID of your system in Windows.

1. Right-click on the Start button and select the Device Manager
2. In the Device Manager section, you will get several lists of devices identified by your system.  You can get non specified devices list under the other devices section.
3. Click the arrow to expand the listed categories of the devices to check the hardware ID. Then right-click on your required device and select the properties section.
4. In the properties section, enter the details tab.
5. Now you will get Hardware IDs in the property drop-down list
6. Now you will get all the list of hardware IDs related to your chosen hardware device. Consider the top one for the latest and most suitable for your device.

2] Find Out the Device Model in Windows.

The device model number of your system can be handy in many scenarios, like during the upgrade of hardware components and troubleshoot the problem with technical support. Now the question is how we can check the device model in windows? Yes, you can find your device model in three ways:

• System Information
• PowerShell
• Command Prompt

Let’s know the details of how you can check the device model number via these three different ways.

How To Check Model Numbers With System Information?

1. Open Start Menu, and type system information
2. Click on the System Information App
3. Open the System Summary section
4. Locate the System Model section and click on that to confirm your model number.

How To Check Model Number With PowerShell?

1. Open Start Menu, search for Power Shell, and click on the top result
2. On PowerShell, execute the following command Get- CimInstance Win32_ComputerSystem
3. Now it will show the device model number on the console
4. If you want to know the model and the serial number of your device, you have to execute the command Get-CimInstance Win32_bios

How To Check the Device Model With Command Prompt?

1. Open Run prompt using Win + R
2. Type CMD, and press Shift + Enter to open with admin privileges.
3. Execute the command wmic csproduct get name. This will reveal the model number on the console screen.
4. If you want to know the model and serial number, type the following commandwmic csproduct get name and wmic csproduct get identifyingnumber and press the Enter key.

6. After entering the above command, you will get the device and the serial number of your device.

3] Find out OEM Key in Windows

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, and when it comes to Windows OEM, Microsoft has several OEM windows versions like Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 10, and many more. Usually, OEM’s Windows Copy has a product key that is unique and particularly for a single device.

• Command Prompt or PowerShell
• Windows OEM product tool

Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

1. Click on the Start button, and then type CMD or PowerShell.
2. Locate the option to launch it with admin privileges
3. On Command Prompt, execute the following command wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey
4. On PowerShell, execute the following command Get-WmiObject -query ‘select * from SoftwareLicensingService’).OA3xOriginalProductKey and press the Enter button.

Using Windows OEM Product Key Tool

You can also know your OEM product key by using software known as the Windows OEM Product Key tool. This tool is beneficial to retrieve as well as know your OEM in Windows.

How Do I Find Hardware Code in Windows?

Hardware code is usually known as the computer’s ID, which can be found within the running application; it’s used when the authorizing application is offline. To find the code, you have to click on the no internet on the computer during the authorization process.

What Is Hwid Activation?

Hwid is nothing but hardware identification or hardware id. This is usually a security measure used by Microsoft to activate the Windows operating system for the device. If you have activated Windows, it will keep a note of existing hardware. If you change the hardware, the activation will fail, and you will have to reactivate Windows again.

How Do I Find My Device Model?

To find out the device model, you have to click on the start button, right-click on the computer, and click on the properties. There you will get all the detailed information regarding your model number, operating system, RAM, and other specifications.

How Do OEM Windows Work?

OEM windows are usually a product key especially tied with a particular device, and you can check the OEM product key on the bottom part of the device. OEM usually helps to activate the operating system of your device.

Is OEM Original or Fake?

OEM always refers to something made especially for an original product, but in the market, you can get fake OEM that sellers specially make as a replacement for the users.

Why Are OEM Keys So Cheap?

You can get OEM keys at a meager price because the sellers are not getting legitimate retail keys straight from Microsoft and some keys are available in other countries at low prices.

However, if you buy an OEM directly from a vendor, the chances of fake keys will drop.

Is Buying OEM Windows Legal?

There is nothing illegal in buying OEM windows. If you get a key with it, it’s possible that it won’t work the next time you activate Windows.

You have to follow the exact steps given above in the post to find out hardware id, device model, and OEM in Windows. I hope this post will help you a lot! If you have any questions or doubts regarding this topic, please ask us under the comment section; we will love to resolve your queries.