Each hard disk drive (even a USB stick) has a volume ID (like a Serial Number). To view a drives current Volume ID you can just perform a dir <drive>: and the volume Serial Number is shown on the second line down, e.g.

 

Volume in drive E is system
Volume Serial Number is BC09-8AE4

 

The Serial Number can be changed with tools and if a drive is imaged, the volume ID is also imaged

 

Pros/Cons

+ Always available and always works

+ Works in single user and network environment

- After reinstallation of Windows, the volume ID changes

- Volume ID’s are always the same when a image tool is used to set up a drive

- Allows several installations on the same machine.

 

Recommendation