How to Find Your Motherboard Model Number in Windows

Why You Need Your Motherboard Model Number

The motherboard is the central nervous system of your computer. Every single component—from the processor to the RAM to the graphics card—plugs directly into it. While most people know what CPU or how much RAM they have, very few people know exactly what motherboard sits inside their PC case.

However, there are three common scenarios where knowing your exact motherboard model number is absolutely mandatory:

1. Updating the BIOS: If you need to fix a severe hardware bug or install a newer generation CPU, you must download a BIOS update. Installing the BIOS for a “Gigabyte B550M DS3H” onto a “Gigabyte B550 AORUS ELITE” will instantly brick the motherboard, destroying the computer.
2. Upgrading Hardware: If you want to buy faster RAM or install a second M.2 NVMe SSD, you need to check your motherboard’s manual to ensure it actually has the correct slots and supports the hardware.
3. Installing Drivers: If you just reinstalled Windows and your Wi-Fi or Audio is not working, you need to download the official drivers directly from the motherboard manufacturer’s website.

You could open your computer case with a screwdriver and try to read the tiny text printed directly onto the circuit board, but that is time-consuming and often requires removing a large graphics card just to see the text. Instead, you can find the exact model number using the built-in Windows software.

Method 1: Using the Command Prompt (The Fastest Way)

The absolute fastest way to pull the exact manufacturer name and model number from the motherboard’s internal firmware is to use a specific WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) command.

1. Click the Start button (the Windows logo) on your taskbar.
2. Type cmd into the search bar.
3. Click on Command Prompt when it appears in the search results. (You do not need to run this as an administrator).
4. A black text window will appear. Type the following command exactly as written and press Enter:

   wmic baseboard get product,Manufacturer

The terminal will return two columns of information. The “Manufacturer” column will tell you the brand (e.g., ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC, Micro-Star International, Gigabyte). The “Product” column will give you the exact model number (e.g., ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING, MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI).

Method 2: Using the System Information Tool

If you prefer a visual interface rather than typing commands into a black terminal window, Windows has a built-in System Information app that provides the same data.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Type System Information (or simply msinfo32) into the search bar.
3. Click on the System Information app to open it.
4. Ensure System Summary is selected in the left-hand navigation pane.
5. Look at the large list of items in the main window. Scroll down until you find three specific rows:
   • BaseBoard Manufacturer: (e.g., Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.)
   • BaseBoard Product: This is your exact model number (e.g., Z790 AORUS ELITE AX).
   • BaseBoard Version: (Optional, but useful if you need to know the specific hardware revision number).

Why Does My Motherboard Show as “Default String” or “To Be Filled By O.E.M.”?

Occasionally, when you run these commands, Windows will return a frustratingly useless result like “Default String” or “To Be Filled By O.E.M.” instead of the actual model number.

This happens most frequently with pre-built computers (from brands like HP, Dell, or Lenovo) or extremely cheap unbranded motherboards. The manufacturer simply forgot (or chose not) to program the motherboard’s identifying data into the firmware chip during the manufacturing process.

If Windows cannot read the firmware, no software tool will be able to help you. You have two options:

1. Check the Laptop/PC Model Number: If you bought a pre-built computer from Dell, you do not actually need the motherboard model number. Just flip the computer over, find the Dell Service Tag or Model Number (e.g., Dell XPS 8940), and type that into the Dell support website. They will provide all the necessary drivers and BIOS updates for that specific machine.
2. Open the Case: If you built the PC yourself using cheap parts, you will have to grab a screwdriver, remove the side panel, and shine a flashlight onto the motherboard itself. The manufacturer usually prints the model number in large white lettering somewhere between the CPU socket and the main PCIe graphics card slot.