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SPECIFICTION
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Sidebar Diagnostics

github.com

Free plan Windows
Visit github.com
Spec score 7.6 #44 of 59 in Hardware monitoring tools

What it is

Sidebar Diagnostics is a free Windows desktop sidebar for viewing hardware diagnostic information. It monitors CPU, RAM, GPU, network, and logical drives, and can graph those measurements. The sidebar can show a clock and supports alerts, hotkeys, and monitors with different DPI settings. The project describes extensive customization, with hardware data supplied by Libre Hardware Monitor. The README lists Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 as supported systems. Releases include an installer and a standalone ZIP; the standalone build does not update automatically. The application must be run as administrator. The GitHub repository identifies it as GPL-3.0 software and provides an issue template for reporting problems. The author says it will always be free on GitHub and invites donations. The Free plan costs nothing. Remote monitoring is not supported.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Sidebar Diagnostics is a Windows desktop sidebar that displays hardware diagnostic information.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Free plan
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · github.com
Support
The repository provides an issue template for reporting issues.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository identifies the software as GNU General Public License (GPL-3.0).Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Customization
The project says the sidebar supports extensive customization.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Data library
The project says its hardware data is provided by Libre Hardware Monitor.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Display features
It can graph metrics, show a clock, and support alerts, hotkeys, and monitors with different DPI settings.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Donation
The author says the software will always be free on GitHub and invites donations.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installation
The releases page provides an installer and a standalone ZIP; the standalone build does not auto-update.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Metrics
It monitors CPU, RAM, GPU, network, and logical drives.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Remote monitoring
NoRead 24 Sep 2026 · github.com
Supported platforms
Windows 7,Windows 8,Windows 8.1,Windows 10Read 24 Sep 2026 · github.com
Supported Windows versions
The README lists Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, and Windows 7 as supported operating systems.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
System requirement
The README says the application must be run as administrator.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Windows desktop app · requires administrator privileges Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Sidebar Diagnostics plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Monitors CPU, RAM, GPU, network, and drives
  • Graphs hardware measurements
  • Supports alerts and hotkeys
  • Installer and standalone ZIP available
  • GPL-3.0 licensed and free

Limits

  • Requires administrator privileges
  • Remote monitoring is not supported
  • Standalone ZIP does not auto-update
  • Supports Windows versions only through Windows 10

Who it suits

It suits Windows users who want a customizable on-screen view of local hardware metrics. It is appropriate for systems running the listed Windows versions where administrator access is available.

Verdict

Sidebar Diagnostics provides local hardware monitoring in a customizable Windows sidebar at no cost. Check the operating-system list and administrator requirement before installation, especially if choosing the non-updating standalone build.

Where Specifiction places it

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