winget install --id=shm11C3.HardwareVisualizer -e Cross-platform hardware monitoring dashboard.
HardwareVisualizer is a desktop app for monitoring your computer's hardware in real time and looking back at how it behaved over days and months. It combines live performance views, a system specifications sheet, and Insights built from a hardware history that stays on your computer.
Web:
> [!NOTE]
>
> ## Official downloads & security notice
>
> HardwareVisualizer is officially distributed only through the channels below:
>
> - GitHub Releases: https://github.com/shm11C3/HardwareVisualizer/releases
> - Official website: https://hardviz.com/
>
> Any other distribution (e.g. third-party mirrors or listings on download sites such as
> SourceForge) is not affiliated with this project.
>
> In particular, the SourceForge project named Hardware Visualizer
> (https://sourceforge.net/projects/hardware-visualizer/) was created without my
> involvement. I cannot verify the authenticity or safety of the ZIP archives
> published there. Use them at your own risk.
Choose your platform and download the latest installer:
For checksum and provenance checks, see the download verification guide.
HardwareVisualizer_x.x.x_x64_en-US.msi (recommended) or HardwareVisualizer_x.x.x_x64-setup.exe from the download page.msi or .exe file)The .msi installer is recommended. It installs HardwareVisualizer under Program Files, which Run as administrator on startup requires.
The .msi installer offers to set up PawnIO, which enables CPU temperature and power and motherboard sensors. The option is selected by default and you can deselect it. When selected, the installer downloads the pinned PawnIO release, verifies it, and installs only what is missing. The option is available when HardwareVisualizer is installed under Program Files (the default location). PawnIO is not removed when you uninstall HardwareVisualizer. With the .exe installer, or at any later time, set it up from Settings → Advanced.
Silent MSI installs do not set up PawnIO unless you opt in:
msiexec /i HardwareVisualizer_x.x.x_x64_en-US.msi /qn EXTERNAL_COMPONENT_PAWNIO=1
You can also install using Windows Package Manager (Winget). Run the following command in PowerShell or Command Prompt:
winget install shm11C3.HardwareVisualizer
Winget installs do not set up PawnIO; use Settings → Advanced after installation.
> [!NOTE] > Basic monitoring does not require administrator rights. Sensors read through > PawnIO (CPU temperature and power, motherboard temperatures and fans) need > administrator access. Turn on Settings → Advanced → Run as administrator on > startup to use them.
HardwareVisualizer_x.x.x_aarch64.dmg (Apple Silicon) or HardwareVisualizer_x.x.x_x64.dmg (Intel) from the download page.dmg file and drag HardwareVisualizer to the Applications folderDownload one of the following packages from the download page:
HardwareVisualizer_x.x.x_amd64.debHardwareVisualizer-x.x.x-1.x86_64.rpmHardwareVisualizer_x.x.x_amd64.AppImageInstall the package:
sudo apt install ./HardwareVisualizer_*.deb # Debian / Ubuntu
sudo dnf install ./HardwareVisualizer-*.rpm # Fedora / RHEL
To use the AppImage, make it executable and run it directly:
chmod +x HardwareVisualizer_*.AppImage
./HardwareVisualizer_*.AppImage
Launch from application menu or terminal:
hardware-visualizer
> [!TIP]
>
> ### Missing hardware data?
>
> - Detailed memory information asks for authorization through polkit
> (pkexec dmidecode).
> - Storage Health uses smartctl (smartmontools), and Intel GPU usage uses
> intel_gpu_top. Both usually need root access. Restart with sudo to let
> them run:
>
> bash > sudo hardware-visualizer >
>
> - CPU temperature, power draw, and motherboard sensors are not available on
> Linux yet.
After launching the app:
| Feature | Windows | Linux | macOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU / memory usage, processes | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| GPU usage | ✅ NVIDIA, AMD, others via PDH | ✅ AMD, Intel ¹ | ✅ |
| GPU temperature | ✅ NVIDIA, AMD | ✅ AMD | — |
| CPU temperature | ✅ PawnIO ² or ACPI thermal zones | — | — |
| Power draw | ✅ CPU package ² | — | ✅ CPU, GPU, ANE, package (Apple Silicon) |
| Motherboard temperatures and fans | ✅ Supported Super I/O chips ² | — | — |
| Storage Health (SMART) | ✅ | ✅ via smartctl ³ | ✅ via smartctl ³ |
| Network interface details | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ambient temperature (SwitchBot) | ✅ | — | — |
| Cooling Insight | ✅ ⁴ | — | — |
| Tray widget | ✅ Flyout | ✅ Tray title | ✅ Menu bar |
intel_gpu_top.| OS | Status | Architecture | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | ✅ | x64 (Windows 10 / 11) | Download |
| Linux | ✅ | x86_64 | Download |
| macOS | ✅ | Apple Silicon, Intel (x64) | Download |
Live CPU, memory, and GPU readings with usage graphs, processes, per-core usage, motherboard sensors, and power draw.
Hardware details at a glance, including Storage Health for each drive.
Checks whether CPU temperature is rising above its own baseline under similar load, with CPU load, package power, fan speed, and ambient temperature on one timeline.
| Context | Reason |
|---|---|
| Windows WMI | Memory, system, and storage details, ACPI thermal zones |
| Windows PDH | GPU engine utilization |
| Windows administrator (PawnIO) | CPU temperature and power, motherboard temperatures and fans |
| Windows Bluetooth | SwitchBot Meter readings, only when turned on in Settings |
Linux polkit (pkexec) | Detailed memory information through dmidecode |
| Linux sudo | smartctl for Storage Health, intel_gpu_top for Intel GPU usage |
HardwareVisualizer has no telemetry, and your hardware data stays on your computer. The app connects to the internet only to check GitHub Releases for updates and, when you choose to set it up, to download PawnIO from its official GitHub releases.
| Item | Target |
|---|---|
| macOS Support | ✅ Done |
| AMD GPU compatible | ✅ Done |
| Fan monitoring (Windows, supported Super I/O chips) | ✅ Done |
| Power draw (Windows CPU package, Apple Silicon) | ✅ Done |
| Fan / Temp Full Cross Vendor | Research |
| Game Mode | Planned |
| Power Consumption Estimation | Idea |
| Plugin System | Idea |
Have a question, rough idea, or open-ended request? Please use GitHub Discussions before opening an implementation issue.
If you have a reproducible bug or a concrete implementation request, open an Issue from the templates in CONTRIBUTING.md.
See CONTRIBUTING.md for details.
Developer and maintainer documentation starts at docs/README.md.
See CODE_SIGNING_POLICY.md for signing status and the download verification guide for checksum and provenance checks.
HardwareVisualizer is made possible by many open-source projects, tools, and contributors.
Note: This acknowledgement does not mean that all listed projects are bundled with HardwareVisualizer or used in every build. The Windows PawnIO CPU temperature implementation is implemented from the repository's clean-room sensor specifications, not by porting third-party monitoring implementations.
HardwareVisualizer is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later (GPL-3.0-or-later).
1.10.x maintenance line, remain available under the MIT License.THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md (Settings → License in the app).The decision and its effective revision are recorded in ADR 0020.