Opening Hardware Monitor: A Free Tool for Monitoring CPU Temperature on Windows
If you’re like me and have ever worried about whether your CPU is running a bit too hot, there’s actually a pretty straightforward way to keep tabs on it without diving into BIOS or installing some chunky third-party software. I ended up trying Hardware Monitor — a free, open-source utility that’s surprisingly simple to use for quick hardware stats, including CPU temperature. It’s not perfect out of the box, and I ran into a couple hiccups getting sensors to behave, but overall, it works well once you figure out what’s needed.
Installing Hardware Monitor and Accessing Temperature Data
Getting started is literally just downloading it from the official site — make sure you verify the source; there are cloned versions floating around and some shady forks. Once downloaded, run the installer; it’s a typical “next, next, finish” kind of thing. But here’s where I got hung up for a bit: after installing, you might have to enable certain sensors or modules in your BIOS to get accurate readings. To do that, restart your PC and head into BIOS/UEFI. Usually, that’s done by pressing Del, F2, or Esc during boot-up, depending on your motherboard. Inside BIOS, look for sections like Advanced, Hardware Monitoring, or sometimes buried under M.I.T. or Security. Enable any options related to sensors or hardware monitoring. Save your changes, reboot, and hopefully, that’s all it takes to let Hardware Monitor see your CPU sensors.
Once Windows is back up, open Hardware Monitor. The main window will list a bunch of hardware details. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a section dedicated to your CPU — might list multiple sensors or cores, and sometimes the readings are a bit inconsistent or jumpy. That’s normal; different sensors are located in different parts of the CPU or motherboard, so slight temp variations are expected. Just don’t freak out if one core shows a couple degrees higher or lower than another. It’s all part of the process.
Finding and Displaying CPU Temperature
Now, locating the CPU temp—look for entries labeled “Temperatures,” “Package,” “Core Temperature,” or something similar. It’s usually near the top of the list or right next to your CPU model name. The tricky part: right-click on the temp reading and look for options like “Show on Desktop” or “Show Gadget.” Selecting that will pin a small widget on your desktop that keeps updating with the latest temp.
This took me some trial and error because not every version or setup behaves the same way. Sometimes, you might see multiple options with different sensors or offsets. Generally, you want the main CPU temp, often tagged as “Package” temperature — in Intel, that’s usually something like “Intel Core i7-12700K Package,” or similar for AMD. Once it’s pinned, you get a nice little live update without needing to open the app each time.
Pinning Temperature on Your Desktop as a Widget
Once you select “Show Gadget” or “Show on Desktop,” a tiny window should pop up on your screen showing the CPU temperature. You can drag it around, resize it if needed, and position it somewhere visible but out of the way. I keep mine in a corner where I can glance at it quick — usually top right or bottom left. If it doesn’t show up right away, check the “View” menu in Hardware Monitor’s window and toggle “Show Gadget” again. Sometimes I had to flip it off and on a few times before it finally stuck, which was a bit annoying but ultimately worth it.
Some folks said their gadgets don’t survive a reboot or aren’t visible until you restart the app. That’s just Windows quirks or maybe a bug in certain versions. Once it’s working, though, it’s a handy little thing to keep an eye on your CPU temp in real time.
Practical Tips and Final Observations
If you have a multi-core CPU or sensors that monitor VRMs, MOSFETs, etc., you might see multiple temperature readings. Usually, the highest CPU core temp or the “Package” temp is what matters most. Also, don’t freak if the numbers fluctuate a bit — under load, temps will vary and can spike, but if you notice sustained high temps over 90°C, it’s probably a good idea to double-check your cooling setup. Maybe your CPU cooler isn’t seated right or your fans are clogged. In my case, temps hit around 85°C under heavy load, which is still okay, but anything higher might cause throttling or hardware stress over time.
This tool is mainly useful for gamers, streamers, or anyone doing intensive CPU workloads. Being able to glance at the temp without opening BIOS or needing additional fancier monitoring apps is a game changer. That said, sometimes Windows or the app itself throws a wrench — gadgets can refuse to show, or you might need to restart Hardware Monitor or your system. It’s just one of those things you get used to with some patience.