hwinfo64.exe

HWiNFO64 Hardware Monitor

Application ProcessSafeSystem Information

CPU Usage

1-15%

Memory

50-120 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\HWiNFO64

Publisher

REALiX s.r.o.

Quick Answer

hwinfo64.exe is safe. It’s the 64‑bit hardware monitoring tool HWiNFO64, designed to read sensor data from your motherboard, CPU, GPU, and peripherals for real‑time reporting and logging.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Must be in C:\Program Files\HWiNFO64\HWiNFO64.exe with valid signature

Warning

Multiple sensor threads

HWiNFO64 spawns multiple sensor readouts and logging threads; normal behavior for thorough monitoring

Can I Disable?

✔ ES

Close the UI or disable sensor logging in settings to reduce background activity

What is hwinfo64.exe?

hwinfo64.exe is the 64‑bit executable for HWiNFO64, a comprehensive hardware monitoring tool. It collects real‑time sensor data from the motherboard, CPU, GPU, memory, and peripherals, displaying temperatures, voltages, fan speeds, clocks, and utilization in its GUI or via logs.

HWiNFO64 reads sensors through direct hardware access, WMI, PCI/ACPI, and vendor drivers to provide accurate system telemetry, with optional background operation and extensive export options.

Quick Fact: HWiNFO64 supports extensive sensor sets and can log data to CSV or HTML reports for long‑term hardware monitoring.

Types of HWiNFO64 Processes

Main GUI Process: User interface and live dashboard (1 instance)
Sensor Collector: Reads readouts from sensors across components
Logging Process: Writes sensor data to logs/reports
Background Service (optional): Runs when configured to monitor in background
Driver Interface: Interacts with hardware drivers for data
Update Agent: Checks for new versions and updates

Is hwinfo64.exe Safe?

Yes, hwinfo64.exe is safe when it comes from the official HWiNFO64 distribution and is obtained from trusted sources (hwinfo.com or official installers).

Is hwinfo64.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real hwinfo64.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may impersonate names like hwinfo64.exe; verify digital signature and file location.

How to Tell if hwinfo64.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\HWiNFO64\HWiNFO64.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\HWiNFO64\HWiNFO64.exe. Any hwinfo64.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer > Properties > Digital Signatures. Should show signer "REALiX s.r.o." or the official publisher.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is light to moderate while monitoring; extremely low or constantly high activity without UI may indicate anomalies.
Behavior: hwinfo64.exe should be tied to the HWiNFO64 UI or a defined background service; unexpected network activity or persistence without user action is suspicious.

Red Flags: If hwinfo64.exe is found outside the HWiNFO64 directory, lacks a valid signature, or begins logging with no visible UI, scan with trusted antivirus. Watch for similarly named files like "hwinfo64c.exe" from untrusted sources.

Why Is hwinfo64.exe Running on My PC?

HWiNFO64 may run to actively monitor hardware sensors, collect telemetry for reporting, or provide data in the background if configured for continuous monitoring. It can start with Windows or run on demand from the UI.

Reasons it's running:

Active Hardware Monitoring: You have opened HWiNFO64 or enabled live sensor monitoring; the tool polls sensors to update the UI.
Background Logging: Sensor data is being logged to a file for performance analysis or historical records.
Startup Configuration: HWiNFO64 is configured to start on system boot to provide ongoing hardware data.
Background Service: A background service or tray icon keeps collecting data even when the main window is closed.
Update or Check for New Version: The updater may run to check for and download new versions or components.

Can I Disable or Remove hwinfo64.exe?

Yes, you can disable hwinfo64.exe. You can stop monitoring, close the UI, and disable startup or background logging if desired.

How to Stop hwinfo64.exe

Close the UI: Click the X or select Exit to stop active monitoring
Disable Background Logging: In HWiNFO64 settings, disable logging or background data capture
Prevent Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable HWiNFO64
End Process: Open Task Manager, locate hwinfo64.exe, right-click > End Task
Uninstall: Use Programs and Features to uninstall HWiNFO64 if you no longer need it

How to Uninstall HWiNFO64

✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> HWiNFO64 -> Uninstall
✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> HWiNFO64 -> Uninstall
✔ Consider alternative hardware monitoring tools if needed

Common Problems: Sensor Not Updating or High Resource Use

If hwinfo64.exe appears unresponsive or uses excessive resources, try targeted fixes to ensure accurate data without impacting performance.

Common Causes & Solutions

Frequent polling of many sensors: Reduce polling frequency in HWiNFO64 settings or disable unnecessary sensor modules
Background logging active: Disable or modify log retention and logging interval
Outdated software: Update to the latest HWiNFO64 version from the official site
Conflicting monitoring software: Disable other hardware monitors and ensure only one monitor is active
Driver or firmware mismatch: Update motherboard and component drivers; verify firmware compatibility
Insufficient permissions: Run as Administrator or adjust UAC settings during setup

Quick Fixes:
1. Open HWiNFO64, reduce polling frequency in the Settings
2. Disable non-critical sensors and logging
3. Update to the latest HWiNFO64 build from the official site
4. Run as Administrator for proper hardware access
5. If issues persist, reinstall HWiNFO64

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hwinfo64.exe safe to use on Windows?

Yes. When obtained from the official HWiNFO64 distribution and located at C:\Program Files\HWiNFO64\HWiNFO64.exe with a valid signature, it is a legitimate hardware monitoring tool.

Why are there multiple hwinfo64.exe processes in Task Manager?

HWiNFO64 can spawn separate processes for sensor collection, logging, and the main UI to isolate tasks and improve responsiveness.

Can I disable hwinfo64 from starting with Windows?

Yes. Use Task Manager > Startup to disable HWiNFO64, or disable the background logging/service in the program settings.

How do I export sensor data from hwinfo64?

In HWiNFO64, use the Save/Log option to export sensor data as CSV, HTML, or TXT reports for analysis and archiving.

Will hwinfo64 slow down my PC?

Running HWiNFO64 with many sensors can add modest CPU and memory load. Adjust polling rates and disable unused sensors to minimize impact.

Where can I download hwinfo64 safely?

Download from the official HWiNFO website or trusted distribution channels. Verify the digital signature and ensure the file path matches the official install directory.