Is it a Virus?
eO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\Hardware Monitor\Updater\hardware-monitor-updater.exe and be signed by Hardware Monitor Technologies, Inc.
Warning
Many updater processes normal
Updater may spawn small tasks during checks; expect brief CPU bursts when updates are fetched.
Can I Disable?
YES
You can disable startup and manually close the updater when not needed.
What is hardware-monitor-updater.exe?
hardware-monitor-updater.exe is a small background updater responsible for checking and applying firmware or driver updates for your hardware monitoring software. It runs quietly to keep sensors, fans, and telemetry current, improving accuracy and stability without requiring user interaction. It may schedule tasks or run on startup depending on configuration.
Updater runs as a lightweight background service that retrieves firmware and driver packages, validates signatures, and applies updates to sensors and monitoring hardware with minimal user disruption.
Quick Fact: This updater often runs under a scheduled task or service and is designed to minimize impact on system performance while keeping hardware data current.
Types of Hardware Monitor Processes
- Updater Service: Background service that checks for updates and applies them automatically
- Background Scheduler: Task/cron-like scheduler that triggers periodic checks
- Driver Update Helper: Module that handles driver package downloads and installation
- Telemetry Module: Sends anonymous health stats about updater performance
- Configuration Loader: Loads user and system preferences for update behavior
- Health/Diagnostics Utility: Runs checks and reports status to the UI
Is hardware-monitor-updater.exe Safe?
Yes, hardware-monitor-updater.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Hardware Monitor Technologies, signed properly and located in the official program folder.
Is hardware-monitor-updater.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real file is not a virus. However, malware may imitate updater names.
How to Tell if hardware-monitor-updater.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in C:\\Program Files\\Hardware Monitor\\Updater\\hardware-monitor-updater.exe or C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Hardware Monitor\\Updater\\hardware-monitor-updater.exe. Any other location is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the updater in File Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "Hardware Monitor Technologies, Inc.".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 0.2-2% CPU per updater instance, 20-60 MB memory. Extremely high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Updater should run only when checks are scheduled or when the main software requests updates. Persistent background execution when not expected is suspicious.
Red Flags: If hardware-monitor-updater.exe is located outside Program Files, lacks a valid signature, or runs without user initiation, scan your system. Watch for similarly named files like "hardware-monitor-updater32.exe".
Why Is hardware-monitor-updater.exe Running on My PC?
The updater runs to keep sensors, firmware, and drivers up to date for accurate monitoring and safe operation. It may run on a schedule or on demand.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Monitoring Updates: The software regularly checks for new firmware or driver updates to keep readings accurate.
- Scheduled Update Checks: A background task triggers periodic checks even when the main UI is closed.
- Startup or System Wake: Updater may launch on Windows startup to ensure devices are ready.
- Driver Rollouts: New hardware profiles or sensors require updates which are installed by the updater.
- Telemetry and Health Checks: Light telemetry and health checks may run in the background to report status.
Can I Disable or Remove hardware-monitor-updater.exe?
Yes, you can disable and even remove it if you do not want automatic updates. However, this may prevent automatic sensor and driver updates.
How to Stop hardware-monitor-updater.exe
- End Specific Update Tasks: Open Task Scheduler or the main app's update manager and disable scheduled updater tasks.
- Close Main App: Close the hardware monitor application to stop background activities.
- Disable Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable Hardware Monitor Updater
- Modify Update Settings: In the monitor app settings, set updates to manual or disable automatic background checks
- Uninstall Updater: From Programs and Features, uninstall Hardware Monitor Updater
- Prevent Auto-start with Windows: Disable the updater service or schedule in Services
How to Uninstall Updater
- ✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> Hardware Monitor Updater -> Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> Hardware Monitor Updater -> Uninstall
- ✔ If you rely on the main Hardware Monitor app, you may keep it installed and remove only the updater component if offered by the installer
Common Problems: Unusual Resource Use or Update Failures
If hardware-monitor-updater.exe is consuming excessive resources or failing to check for updates:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Many Sensors or Frequent Checks: Limit the number of monitored sensors and reduce update frequency in settings.
- Stalled Update Download: Pause/resume or restart update service; verify network connectivity.
- Outdated Updater Version: Update to the latest version from the official site or reinstall.
- Conflicting Software: Disable other monitoring tools that may conflict with updater.
- Corrupted Updater Files: Repair install or reinstall from official source.
- Driver Compatibility Issues: Check hardware compatibility and install correct drivers.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Task Manager and identify heavy updater tasks
2. Check for updates in the main app
3. Restart the updater service or the entire system
4. Clear cached updater data if available
5. Ensure the updater is from the official vendor and reinstall if necessary
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hardware-monitor-updater.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate hardware-monitor-updater.exe from Hardware Monitor Technologies, Inc. is not a virus. It should be located in C:\Program Files\Hardware Monitor\Updater\ and signed by Hardware Monitor Technologies, Inc.
Why is hardware-monitor-updater.exe using CPU?
CPU usage spikes occur during update checks or driver installations. If it runs constantly at high usage, verify it isn't malware and consider reinstalling from the official installer.
Can I delete hardware-monitor-updater.exe?
Yes, you can uninstall the updater or disable it if you do not want automatic updates. This may affect sensor accuracy and driver freshness.
Can I disable hardware-monitor-updater.exe at startup?
Yes, disable the updater in Task Manager > Startup or in Task Scheduler, then restart. You can re-enable later if needed.
How do I manually check for hardware updates?
Open the main Hardware Monitor app and choose Help > Check for Updates. You can also download updates from the vendor's official website.
Where is hardware-monitor-updater.exe installed?
The updater is typically installed at C:\Program Files\Hardware Monitor\Updater\hardware-monitor-updater.exe (or C:\Program Files (x86)\Hardware Monitor\Updater\hardware-monitor-updater.exe).