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.
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.
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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 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.
Redeem your Student and Teacher edition purchase, convert a redemption code to a serial number, and more.
Depending on how you purchased your Adobe Student & Teacher edition product, you may have received a serial number or a redemption code.
You’ll need the serial number to register your product, update your product, upgrade to a Creative Cloud plan, or qualify for certain types of service plans. Use the redemption code—sent in less secure situations—to redeem your product license and get your serial number.
No serial number is needed for subscription or membership products. Simply sign in with your Adobe ID to activate your membership.
If you purchased a stand-alone version of a product—via a card, as a download, or on discs in a box (for example, Acrobat XI, Photoshop Elements, or Lightroom 6)—you will need your serial number to install the app. Enter your serial number when prompted during the installation of your app.
If you registered your product or downloaded it from Adobe.com, 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, sign in with your Adobe ID and password.Note:Having trouble with your Adobe ID? See Adobe ID, sign-in, and account help.
- Click the Planstab, and then click My products in the left pane. A list of your registered products and serial numbers is displayed.
Serial number not showing up in your Adobe account?
Check the following table to find your serial number.How did you receive your product?Find your serial number:In a product box.Printed on the disc or disc sleeve.Note: For Elements products, the serial number is located on the Windows DVD sleeve.As a download from Adobe.In an email from Adobe containing the serial number for the product you purchased. Look for the subject line 'Your Serial Number' or 'Your Serial Numbers.'
Redeem products purchased from a store or online retailer
No serial number is needed for membership or subscription products such as Creative Cloud - Student and Teacher plan. Simply sign in with your Adobe ID to activate your membership.
If you purchased a membership from a retailer, however, you may have received a redemption code—for example, beneath the scratch-off foil on the back of a prepaid card. If you have a redemption code, follow the steps below to redeem your code and activate your membership.
Redeem a redemption code to activate your membership.
- Go to creative.adobe.com/educard and do one of the following:
- Have an Adobe ID? Enter it and your Adobe password, and click Sign In.
- Don't have an Adobe ID? Click Sign Up and follow the onscreen instructions.
- Enter the required information regarding your academic status and click Continue.
- Enter the 24-digit alphanumeric redemption code and click Activate Membership.Note:Redemption codes contain both letters and numbers. The other numeric codes such as the UPC code on your insert, card, or email are not your redemption code.
- Read the renewal plan terms and click Accept Terms & Conditions.
- If prompted, enter billing information and click Continue.
- In the window that appears, click Get Started again.
- You now have access to the apps that are included in your membership plan. Click Open the Creative Cloud app to start downloading your software.
If you purchased a stand-alone version of a product (for example, Acrobat XI, Photoshop Elements, or Lightroom 6), you need a serial number to activate your app. In the following table, choose the option that applies to you to find information about your serial number or redemption code.
What do you have? | Submit your product code and proof of eligibility to Adobe: | Find your redemption code or serial number: | Convert your redemption code to a serial number: |
A prepaid card Find your 19-digit numeric product code beneath the scratch-off foil on the back of the card. | Depending on your region, go to one of the following sites to submit your verification request or find out how to do so: North America: www.adobe.com/go/edu-validate Outside North America, one of the following: Europe, Middle East, Africa | Germany | France | Spain | Italy | Netherlands | Czech Republic | Poland | Asia/Pacific | Korea Verification can take 2–30 days. | Once your verification request has been approved: If you’re in North America: You receive an email with a 24-digit alphanumeric redemption code and a link to www.adobe.com/go/getserial to get your serial number. If you’re outside North America: You receive an email with a link back to your customer support case. The case contains your 24-digit alphanumeric redemption code and a link to www.adobe.com/go/getserial to redeem your redemption code. | 1. Go to www.adobe.com/go/getserial and sign in with your Adobe ID and password. If you don’t have an Adobe ID, click Create an Adobe ID and follow the onscreen instructions. 2. Enter the 24-digit alphanumeric redemption code you received in the email and click Redeem. 3. Depending on your product, a serial number appears, a download link appears, or both. 4. Make note of your serial number and click Download to begin installing your product. Make sure you retain the serial number in case you ever need to update your product or receive product support. Consider registering your Adobe product, which securely stores your serial number in your Adobe account. |
A product box Find your 22-digit alphanumeric product code on the disc sleeve, on an insert card, or on the product box. | Follow the instructions on the insert inside your product box. Depending on your region, go to one of the following sites to submit your verification request or find out how to do so: North America: www.adobe.com/go/edu-validate Outside North America, one of the following: Europe, Middle East, Africa | Germany | France | Spain | Italy | Netherlands | Czech Republic | Poland | Asia/Pacific | Korea Verification can take 2–30 days. | Once your verification request has been approved, you receive an email with a 24-digit numeric serial number. Make note of your serial number and enter your serial number when prompted during installation of your product. Make sure that you retain the serial number in case you ever need to update your product or receive product support. Consider registering your Adobe product, which securely stores your serial number in your Adobe account. | Not applicable. |
An email from the reseller Find your 19-digit numeric product code in an email from the reseller from which you purchased your product. | Follow the instructions in the email. Depending on your region, go to one of the following sites to submit your verification request or find out how to do so: North America: www.adobe.com/go/edu-validate Outside North America, one of the following: Europe, Middle East, Africa | Germany | France | Spain | Italy | Netherlands | Czech Republic | Poland | Asia/Pacific | Korea Verification can take 2–30 days. | Once your verification request has been approved, you receive an email with a 24-digit numeric serial number. Make note of your serial number and enter your serial number when prompted during installation of your product. Make sure that you retain the serial number in case you ever need to update your product or receive product support. Consider registering your Adobe product, which securely stores your serial number in your Adobe account. | Not applicable. |
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