How to check Hardware ID (HWID) on Windows?

Have you ever come across an “Unknown Device” in your system settings or needed to activate software that’s locked to a specific machine? In situations like these, accurately identifying your computer’s hardware components becomes essential. That’s where the Hardware ID (HWID) comes in.

Whether you’re an IT professional managing a fleet of devices or a home user troubleshooting a faulty graphics card driver, the HWID serves as a unique identifier that unlocks critical hardware details. In this guide, you’ll gain a clear understanding of how to check HWID, why it matters, and more.

What is Hardware ID (HWID)?

A Hardware ID (HWID) is a vendor-defined identification string that Windows uses to associate a physical hardware device with the correct driver or software package. It acts as a digital fingerprint, allowing the operating system to distinguish between similar devices, such as network adapters from different manufacturers like Intel or Realtek.

HWIDs follow a structured alphanumeric format rather than being random strings. Their length and structure vary by device type (for example, USB, PCI, or Bluetooth), but they typically include identifiers for both the vendor and the specific device model.

For example, a PCI device Hardware ID may look like this:

PCI\VEN_1000&DEV_0001&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_02

A HWID does not contain Personally Identifiable Information (PII). It identifies hardware components only, making it safe to share when troubleshooting issues or locating the correct drivers.

Why is a HWID important?

A Hardware ID (HWID) plays a critical role beyond basic driver installation, supporting software licensing, security, and system management.

• Prevents software piracy: Many applications bind licenses to a specific machine using its HWID. By tying activation to hardware components like the motherboard or CPU, developers prevent software from being copied and used on unauthorized systems.

• Improves asset tracking: In business environments, HWIDs help IT teams maintain accurate hardware inventories. They make it easier to track components across devices and detect unauthorized hardware changes.

• Enhances security: Some secure networks verify a device’s HWID before granting access. Unexpected hardware changes can trigger alerts, helping identify potential tampering or security risks.

• Simplifies troubleshooting: When Windows can’t identify a device or a component fails, the HWID allows technicians to quickly determine the exact manufacturer and model, eliminating guesswork when locating drivers or replacement parts.

How to read the HWID format (With examples)?

At first glance, a Hardware ID (HWID) can look like a string of random characters. Once you understand the structure, however, it becomes easy to identify both the manufacturer (vendor) and the specific device model.

Generic Plug and Play (PnP) format

This format is commonly used for standard system devices and follows a structure defined by the Plug and Play bus driver.

Example:

Root\*PNP0F08

The asterisk (*) indicates that the device can be enumerated by more than one source, such as the system BIOS or ISAPNP.

PCI device format

PCI HWIDs are typically associated with internal components connected to the motherboard, such as graphics cards, network adapters, and sound cards.

Example:

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1234

VEN_XXXX — Vendor ID identifying the manufacturer

• 8086 = Intel

• 10DE = NVIDIA

• 1002 = AMD

DEV_XXXX — Device ID identifying the specific hardware model

USB device format

USB HWIDs are used for external peripherals like keyboards, mice, webcams, and USB storage devices.

Example:

USB\VID_046D&PID_C077

VID — Vendor ID

• 046D = Logitech

PID — Product ID identifying the specific device model

4 Methods to check your HWID in Windows

You can retrieve your Hardware ID (HWID) using graphical interfaces or command-line tools, depending on your comfort level. Here are four effective methods:

Method 1: Using Device Manager (Graphical Method)

This is the simplest method for most users and requires no coding knowledge.

Steps to find HWID:

1. Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
2. Locate the device (e.g., expand Display adapters for your graphics card).
3. Right-click the device and select Properties.
4. Go to the Details tab.
5. From the Property drop-down, select Hardware Ids.

Copying the HWID:

• Right-click the top value in the Value box (usually the most specific).

• Select Copy and paste it into a search engine or driver database.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt (CLI Method)

For those comfortable with text-based tools, CMD provides quick access to system identifiers.

Get system serial number (Primary HWID):

1. Press Windows Key + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. Type: wmic bios get serialnumber
3. Press Enter to display the system’s unique serial ID.

List all device IDs:

1. In Command Prompt, type: wmic path Win32_PnPEntity get deviceid
2. Press Enter to see Device IDs for all connected hardware.

Method 3: Using Windows PowerShell (Advanced CLI)

PowerShell offers more powerful filtering and scripting options.

 How to find HWID using PowerShell

1. Press Windows Key + X and select Windows PowerShell or Terminal.

2. Type: Get-WmiObject Win32_BaseBoard | Select-Object -ExpandProperty SerialNumber

• Type: Get-PnpDevice
• This lists all devices with their Instance IDs, which function like HWIDs for device identification.

Method 4: Using DevCon (Developer/IT Tool)

DevCon.exe is a Microsoft command-line utility that acts as an alternative to Device Manager. It’s included in the Windows Driver Kit (WDK), which must be downloaded separately.

Using DevCon to find HWIDs:

1. Open Command Prompt and navigate to the folder containing DevCon using cd.
2. Run: devcon hwids *

This outputs all hardware IDs on the system and supports wildcards for batch operations, making it ideal for IT and development environments.

What to do after you find a Hardware ID?

Finding a Hardware ID (HWID) is just the first step. Once you have it, you can use it for driver installation, troubleshooting, software licensing, and hardware management.

1. Find and install the correct drivers

Sometimes Windows cannot automatically find the correct driver for a device, leaving it as “Unknown Device” or with limited functionality. Using the HWID ensures you install the exact driver your device needs.

How to do it:

1. Copy the top HWID value from Device Manager or your preferred method.

2. Paste the HWID into a search engine or a reputable driver database (e.g., the manufacturer’s official website).

3. Download and install the driver matching your hardware.

4. Restart your system to apply the driver.

Tip: Always verify drivers from official sources to avoid malware or compatibility issues.

2. Verify the manufacturer and device model

Breaking down the HWID reveals both the vendor (VEN) and device (DEV) IDs. This can be helpful if you need to confirm hardware specifications for upgrades, replacements, or troubleshooting.

Example:

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1234

• VEN_8086 = Intel

• DEV_1234 = Specific Intel model

Knowing the exact hardware model ensures you get compatible components or peripherals.

3. Activate the licensed software

Some software licenses are locked to a machine via its HWID. When activating software, the license checks the hardware fingerprint to confirm that it’s installed on the authorized device.

How to use it:

• Provide the HWID when prompted during software activation.

• The software will validate the hardware ID before granting access.

• Any attempt to use the license on another machine will fail because the HWID won’t match.

This prevents software piracy and ensures compliance with licensing terms.

4. Troubleshoot hardware problems

When devices fail or are not recognized by Windows, the HWID can help identify the exact component causing the issue. It removes guesswork and speeds up repairs or replacements.

Steps:

1. Use the HWID to search for known issues or firmware updates for that device.

2. Verify compatibility before replacing the hardware.

3. Provide the HWID to technical support for faster diagnostics.

This is especially useful for internal components like GPUs, network cards, or motherboard peripherals.

5. Track and manage hardware in business environments

In enterprise IT, HWIDs are crucial for inventory management and security. They allow IT teams to track devices across multiple workstations, maintain accurate records, and detect unauthorized hardware changes.

Practical uses:

• Create a hardware inventory database using HWIDs.

• Detect swapped or removed components that could indicate tampering.

• Ensure compliance with IT policies and streamline asset audits.

HWIDs give IT administrators a reliable method for identifying and managing devices without relying on manual labeling.

6. Use for advanced security measures

Some high-security environments restrict network or software access based on HWID verification. A mismatch between the registered HWID and the actual device can trigger security alerts, preventing unauthorized access.

How it’s applied:

• Networks or sensitive software can whitelist approved HWIDs.

• Devices not matching the authorized HWID may be blocked automatically.

• This adds an extra layer of authentication beyond passwords or user accounts.

Conclusion

Knowing how to find HWID is an essential skill for advanced Windows troubleshooting. Whether you rely on the visual simplicity of Device Manager or the power of PowerShell, retrieving this digital fingerprint gives you control over your system. 

It allows you to locate the correct drivers, secure hardware-locked software licenses, and manage IT assets with precision. 

Next time you encounter a yellow warning icon or an “Unknown Device” in your system settings, you’ll know exactly how to find HWID and decode the mystery to resolve it quickly.