[Cyb3rNuX]

Is HWID always unique?

Is it possible that there are 2 same HWIDs on different computers?

How is it generated?

Those may be really stupid questions from me but I'm really curious about this.

[Mikasa]

It is not really possible to have the same HWID on two different computers, they are unique and generated based on the components within your computer.

They are generated randomly when the operating system is first installed.

[Oni]

It is not really possible to have the same HWID on two different computers, they are unique and generated based on the components within your computer.

They are generated randomly when the operating system is first installed.

Welcome back. Been a couple years.

[Mikasa]

It is not really possible to have the same HWID on two different computers, they are unique and generated based on the components within your computer.

They are generated randomly when the operating system is first installed.

Welcome back. Been a couple years.

Thank you. Yes it has. Good to be back.

[Cyb3rNuX]

It is not really possible to have the same HWID on two different computers, they are unique and generated based on the components within your computer.

They are generated randomly when the operating system is first installed.

But there are many computers with identical components inside?

[zorrophreak]

Sure componenets can be the same. Where the interesting part comes in is that the HWID is mostly directly for use in activation of software and verification. The numbers are not solely based on the components. Here's a scenario.

CD Drive Options: Lenovo (cd1) Samsung (cd2) and LG (cd3)
Processor Options: AMD (pu1) Intel (pu2) and Cyrix (pu3)
Hard Drive Options: Samsung (hd1) WD (hd2) and Seagate (hd3)

Say that you have a LG drive, and Intel Processor and a Seagate hard drive. Your HWID is not simply cd3pu2hd3. Thus if you changed your processor to AMD then, your HWID would not change to be cd3pu1hd3.

The HWID is randomly generated. However, the data it is generated FROM is your hardware components. Every HWID will be different (hypothetically a duplicate could occur but EXTREMELY unlikely.) This is because its more like rand1cd3rand2pu2rand3hd3. Its randomly generated IDs that are based on the hardware.

The components will be the same, however the randomly generated data will be much the same. This is why even though changing one piece of hardware will change your ID it won't screw up activation. It is when you upgrade many components that it is very difficult to tell the original HWID from the new one because there is so much variation.

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tl;dr: its generated BASED on the hardware components however, it is incredibly unlikely that the randomly generated data based on the hardware components will be uniform across multiple systems.

[mothered]

The HWID is randomly generated. However, the data it is generated FROM is your hardware components. Every HWID will be different (hypothetically a duplicate could occur but EXTREMELY unlikely.)

During my travels on the net, I have read some users experiencing duplicate HWIDs.

In my 20+ years of computing, I've yet to come across It.
By the way, you've explained It very well Indeed.

[taylostolo]

This is indeed a very educative post, looks good to read through!

your doing a lot of grave digging i would slow down or mods might give you your own grave.

[mothered]

This thread Is over 3 years old.

I'm sure the OP's questions and concerns have been fulfilled.
Closed.