You can identify a PC’s motherboard from Windows 10 without opening the case in many situations. System Information and PowerShell can report the manufacturer, product name, and version that the firmware provides. Custom-built and OEM systems may report these fields differently.
Check the motherboard with System Information
- Press Windows+R.
- Type
msinfo32and press Enter. - In System Summary, look for BaseBoard Manufacturer, BaseBoard Product, and BaseBoard Version.
- Also note the system manufacturer and model, especially on prebuilt PCs.
- Use the exact model information on the PC or motherboard manufacturer’s support site.
PowerShell can query the same firmware data
A CIM query against the Win32_BaseBoard class can return fields such as Manufacturer, Product, Version, and SerialNumber. This is useful for inventory scripts, but the values are only as accurate as the data supplied by the firmware.
OEM computers can be confusing
Dell, HP, Lenovo, and other manufacturers may use custom motherboard identifiers that do not match a retail board sold separately. For BIOS updates and drivers on a prebuilt PC, search by the computer’s exact model or service identifier rather than assuming a visually similar retail motherboard uses the same firmware.
Software identification is not always enough
Generic or blank firmware fields can occur. If you need the exact board revision for CPU support or a firmware update, check the printed label on the motherboard or the system’s service documentation after safely shutting down the PC.
Windows 10 standard support ended October 14, 2025. If you are identifying the board for an upgrade, also check whether the overall system can run a supported operating system.
If you are looking up the motherboard to buy a CPU, also verify the board revision and installed BIOS version. A processor can use the correct socket yet still require a newer firmware release or be unsupported by that particular board.
For memory upgrades, consult the board’s supported capacity, DDR generation, and slot layout rather than relying on the model name alone.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.