ID or a serial number that all Windows computer have and that can't be changed

Question

I'm creating a program that authenticates from a before it runs. I also want to deny access. Is there an id or a serial that all Windows computers have that can't be changed, that I could put on a black list? And how would I access that in C#?

Something to keep in mind is that people often swap hardware in and out of their systems. You wouldn't want your software to stop working simply because someone bought a new NIC or upgraded their video card. — Adam Batkin, Oct 31 '09 at 18:51
See this question: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/99880/generating-a-unique-machine-id. It gives a couple of alternative approaches. — luvieere, Oct 31 '09 at 18:48

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited Mar 01 '12 at 14:16

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MAC address can actually be changed quite easily.

This article: has info on exactly what you want: How To Get Hardware Information.

Basically, just mix a few of the hardware component IDs, and you should have a pretty solid key for your system.

edited Mar 01 '12 at 14:16

bluish

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answered Oct 31 '09 at 18:49

Erich

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score 2 · Answer 2 · edited Mar 01 '12 at 14:17

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A combination of CUPID, hard disk volume ID and MAC address would be a good choice. They won't be changed unless with hardware changes. (However, HD vol. ID would be changed if you format the disk)

edited Mar 01 '12 at 14:17

bluish

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answered Oct 31 '09 at 18:50

Ted Lee

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In a previous job we fell back on the hard disk ID for licensing. We knew it wasn't ideal, but it was something. – ChrisF Oct 31 '09 at 19:04

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 31 '09 at 18:57

This kind of restriction on access is generally accomplished by a hardware dongle or by a licensing server. Without these, specifically identifying a particular PC as the 'allowed machine' is a tricky proposition and anything you choose is likely to be spoofable.

score -1 · Answer 4 · edited Mar 01 '12 at 14:20

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Hmm, off the top of my head MAC address would be a good choice. It could be changed by getting a new NIC card, but it's not super easy to change.

edited Mar 01 '12 at 14:20

bluish

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answered Oct 31 '09 at 18:47

ChickenMilkBomb

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MAC addresses can generally be changed via a pretty UI for most cards. Generally in the driver settings. – Alun Harford Oct 31 '09 at 21:36

ID or a serial number that all Windows computer have and that can't be changed

4 Answers4