A serial number is a unique, identifying number or group of numbers and letters assigned to an individual piece of hardware or software. Other things have serial numbers as well, though, including banknotes and other similar documents.
Find Serial Numbers & Product Keys. You may need a serial number and product key to activate some Autodesk software. Note: If you are on subscription, you may no longer need to enter a serial number or product key; you just need to sign in. Serial numbers are never required for launching products with network licenses. A serial number is a unique identifier assigned incrementally or sequentially to an item, to uniquely identify it. Serial numbers need not be strictly numerical.
The idea behind serial numbers is to identify a specific item, much like how a fingerprint identifies a specific person. Instead of some names or numbers that specify a whole range of products, a serial number is intended to provide a unique number to one device at a time.
Hardware serial numbers are embedded in the device, while software or virtual serial numbers are sometimes applied to the user who will be using the software. In other words, a serial number used for software programs are tied to the purchaser, not that specific copy of the program.
The term serial number is often shortened to just S/N or SN, especially when the word precedes an actual serial number on something. Serial numbers are also sometimes, but not often, referred to as serial codes.
Serial Numbers Are Unique
It's important to distinguish serial numbers from other identifying codes or numbers. In short, serial numbers are unique.
For example, a model number for a router might be EA2700 but that's true for every single Linksys EA2700 router; the model numbers are identical while each of their serial numbers is unique to each particular component.
As an example, if Linksys sold 100 EA2700 routers in one day from their website, every one of those devices would have 'EA2700' somewhere on them and they would look identical to the naked eye. However, each device, when first built, had serial numbers printed on most of the components that are not the same as the others bought that day (or any day).
UPC Codes are common as well but are actually not unique like serial numbers. UPC Codes are different than serial numbers because UPC Codes are not unique to each individual piece of hardware or software, as serial numbers are.
The ISSN used for magazines and ISBN for books is different as well because they're used for whole issues or periodicals and aren't unique for every instance of the copy.
Hardware Serial Numbers
You've probably seen serial numbers many times before. Nearly every piece of the computer has a serial number including your monitor, keyboard, mouse and sometimes even your entire computer system as a whole. Internal computer components like hard drives, optical drives, and motherboards also feature serial numbers.
Serial numbers are used by hardware manufacturers to track individual items, usually for quality control.
For example, if a piece of hardware is recalled for some reason, customers are usually made aware of which particular devices need service by being provided a range of serial numbers.
Serial Number Computer Search
Serial numbers are also used in non-tech environments like when keeping an inventory of tools borrowed in a lab or shop floor. It's easy to identify which devices need to be returned or which ones have been misplaced because each of them can be identified by their unique serial number.
Software Serial Numbers
Serial numbers for software programs are usually used to help ensure that the program's installation is only performed one time and only on the purchaser's computer. Once the serial number is used and registered with the manufacturer, any future attempt to use that same serial number can raise a red flag since no two serial numbers (from the same software) are alike.
If you're planning on reinstalling a software program you've purchased, you'll sometimes need the serial number to do so. See our guide on how to find a serial key if you need to reinstall some software.
Sometimes, you might find that a software program can attempt to make a serial number for you that you can use to activate a program illegally (since the code wasn't legally purchased). These programs are called keygens (key generators) and should be avoided.
A serial number for a piece of software is not usually the same as a product key but they are sometimes used interchangeably.
Quickly locate your product serial number so you can reinstall or upgrade. Also learn how to fix invalid or revoked serial numbers.
If a Creative Cloud app asks for a serial number
Creative Cloud apps do not require serial numbers. If you are asked to enter a serial number when you start a Creative Cloud app, it is an error. For help resolving this issue, see Troubleshoot when Creative Cloud apps ask for serial number.
If you purchased from Adobe.com or registered your product
If you downloaded your product from Adobe.com or have registered it, finding your serial number is simple. Adobe keeps track of it for you.
To see a list of your registered products and their serial numbers, follow these steps:
If you have the product packaging or a redemption code from a reseller
If you have the product packaging or a redemption code from a reseller, check the following table to find your serial number.
Serial Number Compressor
If you purchased your product using a prepaid card, have a boxed product, or bought from a reseller, here's how to find your serial number.
Invalid or revoked serial number
If you receive a message when trying to install Adobe Creative Suite or Adobe Acrobat, stating that the serial number you are using has been revoked, or is invalid, it is because the serial number you are attempting to use has been blocked by Adobe. Adobe blocks serial numbers that are known to have not been issued by Adobe, or are known to have been used fraudulently by unauthorized sellers to produce counterfeit software. Unfortunately, you may only know the serial number has been blocked for this reason when re-activating or reinstalling Adobe software.
To learn more and to resolve this issue, visit this page.
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