Hardware Identification
Hardware Identification (HWID) Definition
Hardware Identification (HWID) is the process an operating system uses to detect and recognize the physical components of a device. It reads details like vendor IDs, product IDs, device type, and sometimes stable identifiers such as serial numbers. Network interfaces also include identifiers like MAC addresses, which support local network communication. This helps the system understand what hardware is present and select the correct drivers or settings.
How Hardware Identification Works
When a device starts up or when a peripheral is connected, the operating system scans hardware buses such as PCIe or USB. Each component responds with basic descriptive information. This typically includes the manufacturer, model, device type, and in some cases a serial number or other unique identifier.
The system processes this information, finds the appropriate driver, and registers the component in its internal hardware database. Applications and system tools can then use portions of this data for configuration, compatibility checks, diagnostics, or enforcing security policies.
Not all hardware information is unique or persistent. Many platforms intentionally restrict access to certain identifiers for privacy and security. Even with these limitations, the underlying approach stays the same: the system queries connected hardware, and the hardware reports standardized identification data so all components can operate together reliably.
Common Identifiers Used for Hardware Identification
- Vendor ID: Tells the system which manufacturer made the device.
- Device ID: Shows the specific device model the manufacturer released.
- Subsystem ID: Highlights the variant or OEM version of the device.
- Class code: Describes the general type of a device (for example, a network adapter or controller).
- Revision ID: Indicates a hardware revision or update for the same device model.
- Serial number: Gives a unique tag for that individual device when one is available.
- Device instance ID: Helps the operating system keep track of a particular installed device.
These identifiers allow the operating system to distinguish between components, select the correct drivers, and manage hardware resources effectively.
How to Identify the Hardware IDs for a Device
Most operating systems expose hardware IDs in system settings and diagnostic tools. For example, Windows lists them in Device Manager under a device’s Properties in the Details tab. This data supports driver installation, troubleshooting, and compatibility research.
Hardware Identification vs Device Fingerprinting
Hardware identification uses built-in information that components openly share with the operating system to load drivers and manage the device. Device fingerprinting works differently. It gathers small details from the software environment, such as browser settings or system behavior, to create a pattern that can distinguish one device from another. Hardware identification supports system operation, while fingerprinting is more commonly associated with tracking, fraud detection, or analytics.
Read More
FAQ
Some hardware IDs can be changed, while others can’t. For example, certain values may appear different after system updates, driver changes, hardware replacement, or manufacturer-supported firmware updates. Many identifiers, such as factory-assigned serial numbers, are designed to remain the same. Whether an ID can be modified depends entirely on the component and how it was designed.
VPN connections can encrypt traffic in transit and change the IP address seen by websites, but they don’t change hardware identifiers stored on the device. Hardware IDs generally remain within the operating system and aren’t typically accessible to websites through browser APIs. Websites may still infer device characteristics through fingerprinting techniques (for example, graphics capabilities), which is separate from reading a device’s hardware IDs.
No. HWID is a general hardware identifier used by an operating system to recognize components like disks, GPUs, or USB devices. It usually describes the device type, vendor, and model, and isn’t always unique. A MAC address belongs specifically to a network interface, like an Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter, and is mainly used for communication on local networks. It’s typically intended to be unique for that interface, although some operating systems can randomize it in certain contexts.
Certain identifiers can impact privacy if a system or app has direct access to them, because some values stay the same over time. However, modern operating systems restrict access to sensitive hardware IDs, and browsers don’t expose them to websites. As a result, they aren’t a common web-based tracking method.
An HWID ban blocks access based onhardware identifiers rather than account credentials or IP addresses. This method checks device-related IDs and restricts access to the affected hardware, regardless of if you use a different account. This approach can make repeated access more difficult, but results vary. In practice today, operating system and platform limitations can change, reset, or partially hide hardware identifiers.
45-Day Money-Back Guarantee