Microsoft Account Errors

How to Identify a Computer from a Microsoft Entra Device Object ID

Elise Williams Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to map listed Microsoft Entra devices to their physical laptops using device names and Object IDs, especially to distinguish duplicates or identify a lost machine.

How to Identify a Computer from a Microsoft Entra Device Object ID

Product: Microsoft Entra (Microsoft Account)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reviewing connected computers in a work or school Microsoft account to pinpoint specific hardware.
Observed behavior: Multiple devices appear in the account portal, sometimes with duplicate names, making it difficult to match the Object ID to a specific physical laptop or access its serial number.

Before you start

Before making any changes, ensure you have access to the physical computers you want to verify, as accidentally disabling an active work or school device will require IT administrator assistance to reverse.

Solution 1Recommended

Compare the Microsoft Account Device List with Local System Information

The most straightforward way to identify a device is to match the computer name and OS version found in your Microsoft account with your physical computer's properties.

Since end users cannot directly see hardware serial numbers via the standard Microsoft account portal, you must manually cross-reference the listed device names with the actual computers in your possession.

Access the Device List

Navigate to https://myaccount.microsoft.com/device-list in your web browser and log in with your work or school credentials.

Check Online Device Details

Locate the device in question on the dashboard and note its exact 'Device Name', 'Operating System', and 'Object ID'.

Check Local System Properties

On your physical Windows computer, press the 'Windows' key + 'I' to open Settings, then click on 'System' followed by 'About'.

Match the Information

Compare the 'Device name' shown in your Windows Settings with the name listed in your Microsoft account portal to confirm they are the same machine.

Compare the Microsoft Account Device List with Local System Information

Finding a Lost Laptop's Serial Number: Device Object IDs do not normally reveal a laptop serial number to end users. If you need the serial number for a lost device, you must contact your organization's IT admin, who can pull that data using backend management tools.

Solution 2

Contact IT Administrator for Duplicate Devices

If you have two devices with the same name but different Object IDs, your IT administrator can look up additional hardware details to determine which one is obsolete.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I obtain the serial number of my lost laptop using its Device Object ID?

As an end user, you cannot view the hardware serial number directly from the standard device list. You will need to provide the Device Object ID to your organization's IT administrator, who can use backend systems like Microsoft Intune or Azure AD to look up the corresponding hardware serial number.

What happens if two devices have the same name but different Object IDs?

This usually occurs if a single physical computer was reformatted, re-imaged, or re-registered with the organization. One of the Object IDs represents an obsolete record. You should contact your IT administrator to check which Object ID has a more recent 'last synced' date before disabling either of them.

Can I undo it if I accidentally disable the wrong device?

No, if you disable a device from your work or school account via the device list portal, you cannot reverse the action yourself. Re-enabling the device requires direct intervention and specific permissions from your organization's Microsoft Entra administrator.

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