Definition
Hardware identification is a security precaution that Windows operating systems use to determine the type of computer hardware that is active on the OS during the activation process.
Installing an OS creates a unique set of characters called a hardware identifier. Microsoft uses this identifier to represent the host computer’s hardware.
The identifier refreshes every 10 days and, upon reboot, is matched against the one generated during installation. So, if the two IDs match or are close to each other, the OS will assume it is running on the same hardware.
In case they don’t, the OS requests activation from Microsoft. Windows devices are only allowed a maximum of 64 hardware IDs.
How to Find the List of Hardware IDs on Your Device
- Go to ‘Device Manager’.
- Find the device on the tree.
- Right-click on it and choose ‘Properties’.
- Select the ‘Details’ tab.
- Click on Hardware or Compatible IDs on the drop-down menu.