Open Hardware Monitor is a free, open-source Windows utility that displays readings from the sensors inside a PC. It suits enthusiasts, home users and anyone who wants a simple window into what their components are doing. The project is deprecated: its last code update was on December 27, 2020, and it has received no updates since, so treat it as an older tool rather than a current one.
It still has value as a lightweight reference and as a way to see how hardware sensors are read. Its source code is public on GitHub, so developers can inspect how it works. Because an unmaintained program does not receive security fixes or new hardware support, read the installation and safety sections before you run it.
What a Hardware Monitor Actually Measures
A hardware monitor reads the signals that sensors send from components such as the processor, graphics card, memory and cooling fans. The most common readings are temperature, fan speed, voltage and clock speed. Each one describes a different aspect of how the machine is running.
Temperature is usually the first number people check, because heat affects how long components keep running at full speed. Fan speed shows whether the cooling system is responding to load. Voltage and clock speed tell you how the processor or graphics card is managing power at a given moment.
Reading these values in context matters more than any single number. A high temperature during a demanding game is normal, while the same number at idle may point to a dust buildup or a poor airflow setup. Watching readings over several sessions gives a clearer picture than a single snapshot.
Who Open Hardware Monitor Is For
This type of program fits people who want to see what their computer is doing without learning a complex tool. A home user who notices the fans getting louder can open the monitor and check whether the processor is running hot. A student learning about computer architecture can watch how the readings change as they open applications.
It is also useful for people who build their own PCs and want a quick check after assembly. After installing a new cooler or changing a fan curve in the BIOS, a sensor viewer shows whether the change had the intended effect.
People who need professional diagnostics, long-term logging or support for the newest hardware will usually want a more actively maintained tool. For a basic look at sensor data, however, a simple viewer can still be a practical choice.
Using Sensor Readings to Spot Everyday Problems
Sensor data is most useful when you compare it over time. Suppose your computer slows down during long sessions. If the processor temperature climbs steadily and the fan speed stays flat, the cooling system may not be moving enough air. That pattern points you toward cleaning filters or checking whether the case vents are blocked.
Another common case is unexpected fan noise. If a fan spins fast while the processor is idle, the reading can help you decide whether the noise comes from a component under load or from a background process you did not expect.
Readings are clues, not verdicts. Always confirm a suspected problem with a second source, such as the manufacturer's diagnostics or the support documentation for your hardware, before changing settings or replacing parts.
Key features
Hardware sensor readings
Free and open source
Windows build or installer
Built on C# and .NET
How to install Open Hardware Monitor on Windows
- 1
Download from the official source
Download only from the official website or from the project's GitHub Releases page. Avoid mirror sites and file-sharing pages that repackage the program, since you cannot be sure what they have added to the file.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published alongside the release. If a signature is provided, check it as well. A mismatch means the file should not be run.
- 3
Choose the build or installer
Pick the Windows build if you want a portable folder that you can run without a full setup, or the installer if you prefer a standard Windows installation. Both come from the same project and are free.
-
Run and confirm the readings
Start the program and check that the sensor values appear. If some readings are missing, that can happen with hardware released after the project's last update, so do not assume the tool is faulty.
How to use Open Hardware Monitor
Open Hardware Monitor is designed to be read at a glance. The steps below show a simple routine for checking your PC.
- Start the program after the system has been running for a few minutes, so the readings reflect normal operation.
- Look at the temperature values for the processor and graphics card while the system is idle.
- Open a demanding application or game and watch how the same values change under load.
- Note the fan speed readings to see whether the cooling system responds to the increase in heat.
- Repeat the check after cleaning dust filters or changing case airflow, and compare the results.
- Save a screenshot or write down the numbers, so you can compare sessions later.
Pros & cons
- Free to download and use with no license cost
- Open source, so the code can be reviewed on GitHub
- Available as a Windows build or an installer
- Simple interface focused on sensor readings
- Lightweight option for a quick hardware check
- Deprecated, with no code updates since December 2020
- May not fully cover newer hardware or recent Windows releases
- No active development means no new features or security fixes
- Less suited to long-term logging or professional diagnostics
Is Open Hardware Monitor safe?
Open Hardware Monitor is no longer maintained, so it does not receive security fixes. Treat the program as an older utility and use it with caution. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and never from third-party download portals that bundle extra software.
Before running the file, compare its SHA-256 checksum with the value published with the release. If the checksum does not match, delete the file. Because the project has not changed since 2020, check the official website for the latest version before installing, and keep your operating system and antivirus protection up to date.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/openhardwaremonitor/openhardwaremonitor. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Open Hardware Monitor focuses on showing sensor readings in one place. MSI Afterburner is better known for graphics card tuning and adjusting settings, so it is the right choice if you want to change clock speeds or voltages rather than only watch them. HWiNFO covers temperatures and a wide range of sensors and is a common alternative for detailed monitoring. GPU-Z concentrates on information about the graphics card itself, such as memory type. If you want a simple viewer with open code, this program still has a niche, but for ongoing maintenance and deeper data, one of the other tools will usually serve you better.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- 0.9.6
- Last update
- 27 Dec 2020
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/openhardwaremonitor/openhardwaremonitor
Frequently asked questions
No. The project is deprecated, and its last code update was on December 27, 2020. It still runs on Windows, but it will not receive new features or security fixes, so use it as an older tool and check the official website for any newer release.
It can be, if you download it from the official website or the GitHub Releases page and verify the SHA-256 checksum. Because the program is no longer updated, treat it with extra care and keep your antivirus protection active.
Yes. The program is free and open source, and its source code is available on GitHub. There is no paid version to consider when deciding whether to install it.
Compatibility depends on the components in your system. Since the project has not received code updates since 2020, newer sensors or chipsets may not be fully recognized, so expect some readings to be missing on recent hardware.
This program is focused on monitoring rather than tuning. If you want to adjust clock speeds or voltages, a dedicated tool such as MSI Afterburner is a better fit. Use Open Hardware Monitor to observe the effects of those changes instead.
HWiNFO is a common choice for detailed sensor monitoring and logging, and GPU-Z is useful for checking graphics card details. Both are alternatives worth comparing if you need features this older program does not offer.
Verdict
Open Hardware Monitor is a reasonable choice if you want a free, open-source window into your PC's sensors and you are comfortable with an unmaintained program. It suits home users and hobbyists who want a quick look at temperatures and fan speeds. If you need current hardware support, regular updates or deeper logging, choose a more actively maintained alternative and keep this one only for basic checks.