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Windows · Windows Utilities

HWMonitor for Windows

Free CPUID utility that displays live temperature, voltage, fan speed, and power readings from a PC's sensors in a simple, single-window layout.

Updated August 9, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation

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Overview

HWMonitor, also from CPUID, is a hardware monitoring utility that reads sensor data — temperatures, voltages, fan speeds, and power draw — from the CPU, motherboard, graphics card, and storage devices, and lists it all in a single, simple tree-style window.

It intentionally keeps the interface plain: no graphs, no customizable dashboards, just a straightforward list of sensor readings with current, minimum, and maximum values recorded since launch. That simplicity makes it fast to glance at when you just want to confirm temperatures without configuring anything.

A Pro edition adds remote monitoring over a network, but the free edition covers full local sensor readout, which is what most users need for a quick temperature or voltage check.

Compared with HWiNFO, which offers much deeper sensor detail and configurable logging, HWMonitor trades depth for simplicity — it is the faster choice for a quick check, while HWiNFO suits users who want extensive detail or custom alerts.

Key features

  • Live temperature, voltage, fan speed, and power readings
  • Tracks current, minimum, and maximum values since launch
  • Covers CPU, motherboard, graphics card, and storage sensors
  • Simple tree-view interface with no configuration required
  • Portable build that runs without installation
  • Remote monitoring available in the paid Pro edition

System requirements

Operating system
Windows 11 and Windows 10 (older Windows releases also supported)
Architecture
x64 or x86 build; a portable ZIP build is also offered

How to install HWMonitor

  1. 1. Download from CPUID

    Open cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html and choose the installer or the portable ZIP build.

  2. 2. Install or unzip

    Run the installer, watching each screen for optional offers, or extract the portable build to skip installation.

  3. 3. Launch HWMonitor

    Open the program; it detects and lists sensors automatically with no configuration needed.

How to use it

  1. 1. Check temperatures at a glance

    Expand the CPU and graphics card sections to see current temperature readings alongside the minimum and maximum recorded since launch.

  2. 2. Monitor during a stress test

    Leave HWMonitor open while running a benchmark or game to watch the maximum values climb, which reveals peak temperatures and voltages under load.

  3. 3. Check fan speeds

    Look under the motherboard sensor section for fan RPM readings if you suspect a fan is not spinning up correctly.

Safety and privacy

  • We link only to CPUID's own cpuid.com download page, the official distribution channel.
  • CPUID also distributes HWMonitor via the Microsoft Store as an alternate official channel.
Bundled software
Watch installer screens closely; third-party download portals have historically wrapped hardware utilities like this one with extra offers, so prefer the official site, the Microsoft Store, or the portable ZIP build.
Privacy
Runs entirely locally with no account required for the free edition; the Pro edition's remote monitoring transmits sensor data to whatever endpoint you configure for that purpose.

Known risks

  • As with CPU-Z, only trust copies from cpuid.com or the Microsoft Store to avoid repackaged third-party installers.

What's new

  • 1.xx series

    CPUID publishes periodic updates to add sensor support for newer hardware. Check cpuid.com for the current version before downloading.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Simple, no-configuration interface for a quick sensor check
  • Covers CPU, motherboard, GPU, and storage sensors in one list
  • Free for the standard edition
  • Portable build available

Cons

  • No graphing, alerts, or logging in the free edition
  • Less detailed than HWiNFO for enthusiasts who want deep sensor data
  • Remote monitoring requires the paid Pro edition

Verdict

HWMonitor is the quickest way to glance at a Windows PC's temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds without configuring anything. Choose HWiNFO instead if you want deeper detail, logging, or custom alerts.

Frequently asked questions

Is HWMonitor free?

Yes, the standard edition is free. A separate paid Pro edition adds remote monitoring over a network.

Does HWMonitor show fan speeds?

Yes, alongside temperatures, voltages, and power draw, when your motherboard exposes fan sensor data.

How is HWMonitor different from HWiNFO?

HWMonitor keeps things simple with a plain sensor list, while HWiNFO offers far more detailed sensor data, logging, and configurable alerts for enthusiasts who want that depth.