Are you curious about the age of your laptop or computer? Perhaps you’re thinking of buying a second-hand system and want to ensure it’s not too outdated. In this guide, we’ve compiled 4 easy methods to help you determine exactly how old your device is.
The quickest way is to open Command Prompt, type “systeminfo.exe”, and press Enter. Scroll down to the “BIOS Version/Date” line — the date listed there is the closest estimate of your laptop’s manufacture date.
You can also use these techniques to check if your system is still under warranty. Use at least 2 methods and cross-check the dates to get the most accurate estimate of your laptop’s age.
1) Check the Serial Number of the Laptop/Computer
Every pre-built system or laptop from a company like Dell or HP has a sticker on its back with a serial number label. On both desktop and laptop computers, this sticker is typically found on the underside or back of the device.
Once you find your serial number, type it into Google — the manufacturer’s website will appear. It will have all the information about your system, including its exact manufacture date. This is how you can find out how old your laptop or computer is.
If this method does not work or you can’t find the serial number, try the other methods below.
2) Check the BIOS Version via Command Prompt (systeminfo.exe)
The Command Prompt method uses the BIOS version to estimate how old your laptop is. Running the systeminfo.exe command shows a bunch of system information including the BIOS date, which closely matches the manufacture date.
Note: Don’t rely on the “Original Install Date” of Windows — major updates reset this date. Always look for the BIOS Version/Date entry instead.
Step-by-step method using systeminfo.exe
- Search cmd in the Windows search bar and press Enter
- In the Command Prompt window, type systeminfo.exe and press Enter
- Scroll down and look for the BIOS Version/Date entry
- The date listed there is the approximate manufacture date — cross-check with other methods
If you have updated your BIOS or bought a used laptop, the BIOS date may not be accurate. Cross-check with other methods for a more reliable estimate.
Read also: Top 5 Ways How to Find Laptop Screen Size in Windows 10
3) Check the CPU’s Release Date
Another method that gives a rough estimate of how old your laptop is, is to check what CPU you have and when it was released. This method is not entirely accurate since some manufacturers use older CPUs in budget laptops, but cross-checking with other methods gives a good estimate.
Step-by-step method for checking CPU’s release date
- Type System Information in the Windows search bar and open it
- In the System Information tab, find the Processor row
- Copy the CPU name listed next to Processor
- Search the CPU name on Google — the CPU manufacturer’s website will appear
- Look for the release date on the manufacturer’s page — this gives an estimate of your laptop’s age
For example, for an Intel Core i5 7300U processor, Intel shows a release date of Q1’17, which is a close estimate of when the laptop was made. Cross-check with at least one other method for a more accurate date.
4) Check the Date Modified of Folders in C Drive
This method checks the date-modified timestamps of system folders in your C drive as an additional clue for your computer’s age. It is not very accurate on its own but works well when cross-checked with other methods.
Step-by-step method for checking date modified in C Drive
- Open File Explorer and go to the C drive
- Check the dates in the Date Modified column for system folders
FAQ (How Old is My Laptop?)
How to check laptop purchase date on Windows 10?
Type cmd in the Windows search bar, open Command Prompt, type systeminfo.exe and press Enter. Scroll down to the BIOS Version/Date entry — the date listed is the approximate manufacture date of your laptop.
Where do I find the age of my laptop?
Go to the Windows Search box and type cmd. Type systeminfo.exe in the Command Prompt and scroll down to the BIOS version. The date listed is the estimated age of your laptop.
How do I know the year and model of my laptop?
To find the year and model of your laptop, check the serial number sticker on the back of the laptop and look it up on the manufacturer’s support website, or use System Information in Windows settings.
Is a 7-year-old laptop considered old?
In terms of technology, a laptop that is seven years old is indeed outdated and may not perform as well as newer models, especially for demanding tasks or modern software.
Final Words
Checking your computer or laptop age is not difficult. The easiest way is to search your serial number on Google. If you can’t find the serial number, use the other methods listed here and cross-check the dates to get a reliable estimate of how old your laptop is.
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