Description of Microsoft System Information (Msinfo32.exe) Tool

Summary

Windows includes a tool called Microsoft System Information (Msinfo32.exe). This tool gathers information about your computer and displays a comprehensive view of your hardware, system components, and software environment, which you can use to diagnose computer issues.

If you run MSINFO32 without Administrator privileges, it may show some drivers as stopped when they are not. This is because the cache for this information requires Administrator privileges to update. To avoid this issue, make sure to run MSINFO32 with Administrator privileges.

MSINFO32 is not able to provide hardware information when run in Safe Mode. While Microsoft System Information can be run in Safe Mode, it is limited to displaying information about system components and the software environment.

More Information

How to start MSINFO32

Expand your version of Windows below for instructions to run MSINFO32:

Type msinfo32 in the Search box.

Right-click System Information in the search results and select Run as administrator.

While on the Start screen, type msinfo32. (Alternatively, swipe in from the right edge of the screen and select Search. If you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then select Search. Then type msinfo32 in the Search box.)

Right-click (or tap and hold) the search results and select Run as administrator.

Click Start. Type msinfo32 in the Search box.

Right-click msinfo32.exe in the search results, and then click Run as administrator.

How to run MSINFO32 using the Command Prompt

You can also run MSINFO32 from an elevated command prompt. To open the command prompt, type cmd in the Search box. Then right-click Command Prompt in the search results and select Run as administrator.

You can perform the following tasks using the MSINFO32 command-line tool switches:

Create .nfo or .txt files that contain your system information.

Start System Information connected to a remote computer.

Use the following syntax in the command prompt to run the MSINFO32 command on computers that are running Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10:

Msinfo32 [ /nfo Path] [ /report Path] [ /computer ComputerName]

Parameters Path
Specifies the file to be opened in the format C:\ folder1\ file1. xxx where C is the drive letter, folder1 is the folder, file1 is the file and xxx is the file name extension.

ComputerName
This can be a Universal Naming Convention name, an IP address, or a Fully Qualified Domain Name.

/nfo
Saves the exported file as an .nfo file. If the file name that is specified in Path does not end in .nfo, an .nfo file name extension will be appended to the file name.

/report
Saves the file that is specified in Path in the .txt format. The file name will be saved exactly as it appears in path. The .txt file name extension will not be appended to the file unless it is specified in Path.

/computer
Starts System Information for the specified remote computer.

Note: When you connect to a remote computer, you must have appropriate permissions to access WMI on the remote computer.

Examples To view your System Information, type:

Professional System Information and Diagnostics

Comprehensive Hardware Analysis, Monitoring and Reporting for Windows and DOS.

Used by

Used to monitor computer systems for failures in high radiation fields.

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Fully automated network inventory software

About HWiNFO

In-depth Hardware Information

From a quick overview unfolding into the depth of all hardware components. Always up-to date supporting latest technologies and standards.

Real-Time System Monitoring

Accurate monitoring of all system components for actual status and failure prediction. Customizable interface with variety of options.

Extensive Reporting

Multiple types of reports, status logging and interfacing with other tools or add-ons.

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«The Most Comprehensive System Audit Tool I’ve Ever Seen.»

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«An excellent system profiler provides in-depth hardware information for Windows.»

«HWiNFO Provides More Info About Your Computer Than You’ll Ever Need.»

Hardware information tool windows

SystemInfo — a hardware information tool for Windows

SystemInfo enables you to view information about the hardware components of your computer.

The program allows you to take screenshots of the client area and export hardware information in the following formats:

Supports the following operating systems:

• Windows Vista (x86/x64)
• Windows 7 (x86/x64)
• Windows 8/8.1 (x86/x64)
• Windows 10 (x86/x64)

Might also work on modern Windows Server systems, but I didn’t test it.

The program is written in C/C++ and uses barebones WindowsAPI for its GUI.

This program is free software.

DISCLAIMER: THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED «AS IS» AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE REGENTS OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

Top Free Computer Hardware Detection Utilities & Monitoring Tools

(*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site!)

If you want to know about the various technical details about your installed computer hardware then you need special tools or utilities for them. There are some big professional utilities available that provide you the information about your system hardware but the problem with them is that they are paid and require installation on your computer. This means first you have spent some money on them and then they eat up space on your hard drive. Also, some of these programs are trial version and you can use them for a certain limit, after which you have to buy the license key for full usage.

So, here I am going to list down some of the best tools or utilities for windows that are completely free, requires no installation (standalone/portable), have very small size or footprint and provides you the complete hardware details about your computer hardware, that includes your CPU, Motherboard, RAM, Graphics Card / Video Card, Hard Drive, Sound Card and other components installed in your computer. Some of these utilities or softwares can also read the sensor information and provides you the temperature reading of that component for monitoring purposes. These utilities are also known as system info tools, hardware detection tools, PC info tools, windows hardware info utilities or system monitoring tools.

Note: These free system information tools cannot provide information about your PSU because power supply does not contain any sensors and it does not require any drivers for its working. This is due to the fact that it is not connected to your operating system or system BIOS directly or indirectly.

Best Free PC Hardware Info and Monitoring Tools

Here are the best system info tools or system monitoring tools for your CPU, Video Card, Hard Disk and other hardware components in your PC.

CPU / Processor

CPU-Z is the most popular utility for the detection of CPU, Memory and Motherboard specifications and other parameters in your computer. Using this small tool or program, you can find out everything about the processor that includes its frequencies, multipliers, code name, voltage, cache, cores & threads, socket type, fabrication technology and the instructions it supports. You can also see real-time frequency and multipliers during different loads.

This small software can also detect your motherboard chipset, BIOS details, and its manufacturer. Another important use of this utility is to detect your RAM timings, frequencies, type, size, mode and manufacturer which can come very handy when upgrading your system memory. CPU-Z can also tell you some details regarding the graphics adapter (integrated or discrete) on your computer. It also includes a small benchmarking component to benchmark and stress test your CPU. CPU-Z is available in both portable and installable setup for windows (32-bit/64-bit). This is a must-have hardware utility that you should have on your computer. You can download it for free from the link given below.

CoreTemp

CoreTemp is no doubt the best temperature monitoring tool for CPU or processor. This is a very small program and can show you the temperature of each core of your processor. It supports both Intel and AMD processors and requires Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, 2003 Server, 2008 Server (R2), 2012 Server.

Using this program you can monitor your CPU cores temperature, load at each core and power in wattage. This CPU temperature monitoring program is available as an executable file or as a standalone version so that you do not need to install it on your hard drive. CoreTemp is very accurate and should be on your computer drive. You can download it for free from the link given below.

Real Temp

Real Temp is another temperature monitoring program designed for both Intel and AMD processors. Like CoreTemp, it can also measure the temperature of individual processor cores to great accuracy. It also shows you the load and frequency of the CPU in real-time. This program also displays the TJMax, CPUID, APIC ID, and Calibration settings.

This program does not require installation and can be run directly from your hard drive only. It includes support for Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7 / Windows 8 (32 & 64 bit) and you can download it for free from the link given below.

Graphics Card / Video Card

GPU-Z is a GPU information utility designed especially for graphics cards. It can show you the complete details of your graphics card or video adapter. GPU-Z can tell you about your graphics card GPU, its architecture, manufacturing process, the number of shaders, pixel fillrate, memory type & size, memory bandwidth, GPU and VRAM clock speeds, GPU temperature, VBIOS version and a whole lot of other details. GPU-Z support Nvidia, AMD, and Intel graphics cards or adapters and is available for free to download and use. It includes support for Windows XP / Vista / Windows 7 / Windows 8 / Windows 10 (both 32 and 64-bit versions) and you can download it for free from the link given below.

For Graphics Card, I have already posted a complete list of tools and utilities that you can use to find complete information about them. You can check them out by going to the links given below.

Hard Drive / SSD

CrystalDiskInfo

For monitoring your hard drive / SSD health status and temperature, CrystalDiskInfo is the definitely the best utility around. It can tell you about your hard drive specifications & parameters, temperature and by reading S.M.A.R.T. data it can tell you about your HDD health status. It also tells you about the number of hours, your hard disk is powered on. CrystalDiskInfo also supports Intel RAID and USB Hard Drives or SSDs. This small utility does not require installation and can be run from a pen drive also. You can download it for free for Windows from the link given below.

PC Hardware & Monitoring

HWiNFO

HWiNFO or Hardware Info is one of my favorite freeware to find out details about every hardware component installed in your computer. It can tell you about your CPU, RAM, Motherboard, Graphics Card, Hard Drive, Networking components and other hardware components in your computer. You can create reports and monitor the temperature and voltages of your components in real-time by using this amazing system info tool. This is a complete hardware analysis and monitoring software for windows and is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. It is available in the installer and portable version, and you can download it for free from the link given below.

HWMonitor

HWMonitor is a complete hardware monitoring program for your computer. It detects all the sensors of your hardware component and tells us about the temperature, voltage, fan speed and other parameters related to that specific hardware. On the laptop, this program can also tell you about your battery wear level. HWMonitor is available as both an installable and portable version for windows. There is also a pro version (HWMonitor Pro) available that adds some additional features like remote monitoring, graph generator, and improved interface. You can download the free version from the link given below. Recommended by me.

ASTRA32

ASTRA32 is an Advanced System Information Tool & Reporting Assistant that can list all the hardware components with their details installed in your computer. You can also monitor your components or device’s temperature, voltages, etc. as it can read all the sensors of your components. It is a great hardware detection tool and is one of my favorites. It supports both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows OS and is available as self-installer and in the portable variant. You can download it for free for personal use from the link given below. Highly Recommended by me.

SpeedFan

SpeedFan is a small program that can sense the temperature of your hardware components (with sensors) and can change the fan speed accordingly for better cooling or for silent operation. It can also monitor the voltages and can read the S.M.A.R.T. data of your hard drive. On some systems, SpeedFan can also change the FSB which is an additional feature. SpeedFan supports Windows 9x, ME, NT, 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, Windows 7, 2008, Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012 and requires installation on your computer.

It is unarguably the best fan control software to adjust or alter your fan speed settings as per your requirement. It is a freeware and you can download it for free from the link given below.

Laptop Battery

BatteryInfoView

BatteryInfoView is a small standalone program that reads the information of your laptop battery and tells you about its health. It shows all the important parameters of your battery so that you can know about its current health and can change the battery at the right time. This is a free program and you can download it from the link given below.

Final Words

Getting to know your computer hardware is very important for any user. Above mentioned system info and monitoring tools are totally free and will make your life much easier. I think these tools must be on everybody’s computer hard drive as they come very handy in detecting any issues with your hardware or if you plan on upgrading your computer hardware. If you have any doubts regarding these hardware tools or want to suggest something then please leave a comment below.