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How to Check When a Laptop Was First Used: 5 Simple and Effective Ways
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Your laptop is one of the most precious pieces of equipment in your everyday life whether you are employed, a student, gaming or watching the shows you enjoy. Yet somehow, you may find yourself thinking: When was my laptop first used?
Understanding when you first ever used your laptop makes you capable of determining its actual age, warranty lifespan, resale value and state. This comes in handy especially if you bought a used or remanufactured laptop or can simply not recall when you first ever installed it.
In this total tutorial, we will learn how to check when a laptop was first used through five simple and effective methods. Be it a Windows, macOS or Linux operating system, these steps will reveal your laptop’s actual age within minutes.
Also read – Which Laptop is Best, New or Second Hand?
Why You Should Inspect When a Laptop Was First Used
Now let’s jump into why it is important to know when your laptop was first used before we discuss the steps.
- Warranty Verification – Most companies like Dell, HP, Lenovo and Apple give limited warranties (1-3 years). Knowing when your laptop was first used will allow you to check if your device still falls under warranty.
- Performance Evaluation – The processor, hard drive and battery are hardware components that age over time. The age of your laptop assists you in determining the time to upgrade or replace hardware.
- Resale Value Determination – A 2 year old laptop is of higher resale value compared to one that is 5 years old. Customers check the first use or production date before buying second-hand laptops.
- Refurbished Laptop Verification – If you have purchased a refurbished device, checking its first use date ensures transparency and authenticity about the product’s actual history.
1. Check the System’s Installation Date (Windows)
The Windows installation date is often the most accurate way to find when a laptop was first used. It tells you when the operating system was first installed, which usually coincides with the first setup of the device.
Follow these steps:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
Enter this command:
systeminfo | find “Original Install Date”
3. After a few seconds, Windows will display a line like:
Original Install Date: 10/04/2022, 2:15:31 PM
That’s the date your operating system was first installed and likely when your laptop was first used.
Tip: If Windows has been reinstalled or upgraded, this date might represent the reinstallation date, not the original purchase date.
2. Check BIOS or UEFI Information
Your laptop’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI is a great way to find the original manufacturing or setup date. The BIOS release date usually corresponds closely with the time your laptop was first manufactured or used.
Here’s how to find it:
- Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
In the Command Prompt, type:
wmic bios get releasedate
- You will get a result like:
Releasedate: 20220617
This means your BIOS was released on June 17, 2022 providing a reliable estimate of when your laptop was first used.
Alternatively, you can also open the System Information panel:
- Press Windows + R → type msinfo32 → hit Enter.
- Look for BIOS Version/Date in the summary.
3. Verify the Serial Number and the Laptop Manufacturer
All laptop companies whether they are Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, Acer or Apple provide a unique serial number to each machine. This serial number will assist you in checking its manufacturing and activation date straight from the manufacturer’s database.
How to locate your serial number:
Find the bottom panel of your computer or under the battery.
If not available, open command prompt and enter:
wmic bios get serialnumber
Copy the serial number that appears.
Now visit your laptop’s official warranty page:
- HP: support.hp.com/checkwarranty
- Dell: dell.com/support
- Lenovo: support.lenovo.com
- Asus: asus.com/support
- Acer: acer.com/support
- Apple: checkcoverage.apple.com
Enter the serial number, and you will find information like manufacturing date, warranty start and activation date a good indication of when your laptop was originally booted.
Pro Tip: The assembly date may be several weeks or months before your purchase date, as laptops are manufactured and exported before they’re sold at retail stores.
4. Check Windows Activation Date
Another smart method to check when a laptop was first used is by finding the Windows activation date. Windows activates automatically the first time you connect the laptop to the internet, making this a good clue for the first use.
Steps:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type this command and press Enter:
slmgr /xpr
- A small popup window will appear showing your Windows activation status and, in some cases, the date of activation.
This gives you a clear idea of when your laptop was first connected and officially registered with Microsoft.
5. Use Battery Report to Estimate Laptop’s First Use
The battery report is another excellent way to determine how long a laptop has been in use. It shows the battery’s manufacturing date and cycle count, both of which help estimate the device’s age.
Here’s how to generate it:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Type:
powercfg /batteryreport
- The system generates a detailed report (battery report.html) in your user directory.
- Open the file and scroll to the Installed batteries section.
- Check the Manufacture Date and Cycle Count.
- Check the Manufacture Date and Cycle Count.
If the battery was manufactured in, say, June 2021, and the install date shows July 2021, your laptop was likely first used around that period.
Bonus: How to Check When a MacBook Was First Used
For Mac users, checking your laptop’s first use date is just as simple.
- Check System Setup File:
- Open Finder → Applications → Utilities → Terminal.
- Open Finder → Applications → Utilities → Terminal.
Type:
ls -lt /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
- The timestamp next to the file shows when your Mac was first set up.
- Use Apple’s Warranty Lookup:
- Go to checkcoverage.apple.com.
- Enter your serial number (find it under “About This Mac”).
- You will see the warranty and activation details which indicate the first use date.
- Go to checkcoverage.apple.com.
- Battery Cycle Count:
- Go to Apple Menu → System Settings → Battery → Battery Health.
- Fewer cycles mean the laptop is newer; higher cycles (200–400+) suggest longer use.
Other Indicators of Laptop Age
Even if you can not find exact installation or activation dates, there are other clues that reveal your laptop’s age:
- Physical Wear: Scratches, faded keys and worn out hinges suggest prolonged use.
- Hardware Specs: Older processors (like Intel 8th Gen or below) indicate older models.
- Outdated Ports: USB 2.0 or VGA ports instead of USB-C or HDMI are signs of an older device.
- Battery Life: Reduced capacity or faster drainage often points to years of usage.
Why Knowing Laptop Age Matters
Your laptop’s age plays a major role in its performance, upgradability and resale potential. Here’s why it is worth checking:
- Upgrade Decisions: Knowing its age helps determine whether an SSD upgrade or RAM increase is worth it.
- Repair Costs: If your laptop is beyond warranty or nearing its lifespan 3 to 5 years, repair costs may outweigh the benefits.
- Resale Readiness: Buyers often ask for the first use or manufacture date when purchasing a second hand device.
Typically, a laptop’s lifespan is around 3 to 5 years, depending on usage and maintenance. Regular cleaning, proper charging habits and avoiding overheating can help extend that life further.
Final Thoughts
Discovering how to verify when a laptop is first used is easy once you know where to search. You can achieve precise information through the system installation date, BIOS version, Windows activation history, manufacturer lookup or battery report.
By using these techniques together, you will have a better idea of your laptop’s real age and assist you in making better choices regarding repairs, upgrading or selling it.Matters not if you use a Windows PC, MacBook or Linux machine, these easy steps will uncover the past of your reliable device in a matter of a few minutes.
Also read – How to Disable Laptop Keyboard and Use External Keyboard: A Complete Guide
