Freedom251 › System Information Software
NWinfo

What NWinfo is
NWinfo is a free Win32 program for collecting detailed Windows system and hardware information directly, without relying on WMI. It reads data from SMBIOS, CPUID, S.M.A.R.T., PCI, EDID and other hardware sources. The graphical interface supports Windows 7 and later, while the command-line program supports Windows XP and later. CLI output can use YAML, JSON, LUA, TREE or HTML, and an option hides MAC addresses and serial numbers. Sensor providers include LibreHardwareMonitor, HWiNFO shared memory, GPU-Z shared memory and built-in providers. GPU access uses NVIDIA NVAPI, AMD ADL2 or Intel IGCL and requires GPU drivers. NWinfo can run without a driver, although some information may be unavailable; NVMe support requires Windows 10 or later. A portable version, source code, releases, nightly builds and libraries are available. The project uses the Unlicense. The maker warns that reading DIMM SPD data may damage hardware.
Who it suits
It suits Windows users, technicians and developers who need direct hardware inventories or exportable reports. The CLI is useful on older Windows versions, while the GUI requires Windows 7 or later.
What it does well
- Collects hardware data without WMI
- Offers GUI and command-line interfaces
- Exports JSON, YAML and HTML
- Includes multiple sensor providers
- Portable version available
What to know first
- Some data may need a driver
- NVMe requires Windows 10 or later
- GPU access requires GPU drivers
- DIMM SPD reading may damage hardware
Verdict
NWinfo provides broad, direct hardware inspection with both graphical and command-line workflows. Its export options and portable build are practical, but driver dependencies and the DIMM SPD warning deserve care.
Facts from NWinfo's own pages
- CLI compatibility
- The command-line program supports Windows XP and later. · a1ive.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- CLI support
- The CLI supports Windows XP and later. · a1ive.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Data collection
- NWinfo gathers information directly without relying on WMI. · a1ive.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Data export
- It supports exporting information in JSON, YAML, and HTML formats. · a1ive.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Direct collection
- The maker says NWinfo gathers information directly without relying on WMI. · a1ive.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The project provides source code, a latest release, nightly builds, and libraries for download. · a1ive.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The maker links to source code, GitHub releases, nightly builds, and libraries. · a1ive.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Driver requirement
- The program can run without a driver, though some hardware information may not be accessible. · a1ive.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- The CLI supports YAML, JSON, LUA, TREE, and HTML output formats. · a1ive.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- GPU support
- GPU sensor access uses NVIDIA NVAPI, AMD ADL2, or Intel IGCL, and requires GPU drivers. · a1ive.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- GUI compatibility
- The GUI supports Windows 7 and later. · a1ive.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- GUI support
- The GUI supports Windows 7 and later. · a1ive.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
- Hardware caution
- The documentation warns that the SPD information option may damage hardware. · a1ive.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Hardware data
- It retrieves detailed information about SMBIOS, CPUID, S.M.A.R.T., PCI, EDID, and more. · a1ive.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is licensed under the Unlicense. · a1ive.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- NVMe limit
- NVMe support requires Windows 10 or later. · a1ive.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- NWinfo is a Win32 program for collecting system and hardware information. · a1ive.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Sensitive data option
- The CLI offers a --hide-sensitive option to hide MAC addresses and serial numbers. · a1ive.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Sensor integrations
- Sensor providers include LibreHardwareMonitor, HWiNFO shared memory, and GPU-Z shared memory; HWiNFO and GPU-Z must be running to use their providers. · a1ive.github.io, 5 Oct 2026
- Supported GPU APIs
- GPU information is supported through NVIDIA NVAPI, AMD ADL2, and Intel IGCL. · a1ive.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
Where NWinfo stands on Freedom251
- System Information Software#27 of 34