You should occasionally check the CPU temperature to ensure it is not overheating. Here is how to check the CPU temperature in Windows.
When you use your computer, your CPU heats up. The CPU temperature increases depending on what you are doing and how complex and time-consuming the task is. If you don’t know, the system performance decreases as the CPU temperature increases. This happens because the CPU automatically regulates the power draw to ensure no permanent damage occurs to the CPU due to high temperature.
To make sure the CPU temperature is within allowable limits, you must know how to check the CPU temperature. That way, you can take the necessary steps to reduce the CPU temperature and keep it within the allowable limit.
The good thing is that there are a lot of Windows software to check the CPU temperature. These software gives you a lot of information about your CPU.
So, without delay, let me show you how to check the CPU temperature in Windows with free software.
The steps below work the same in Windows 10 and 11.
Table of contents:
How to check CPU temperature
Windows 10 and 11 have no built-in options to check the CPU temperature. However, you can use the free CPU temperature monitor software to find the CPU temperature. They are pretty easy to use. Let me show you how.
HWMonitor
HWMonitor is a pretty simple yet powerful software to get a lot of information about your CPU and other hardware. This information includes the CPU temperature. To get the temperature information, follow the below steps.
- Get the HWMonitor software.
- Open the HWMonitor application.
- You will find the CPU temperature under the “CPU > Temperatures” section.
- Look at the Package section to find the CPU temperature.
- You can close the application after checking the CPU temperature.
Download HWMonitor: https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html
First, head over to the official website and download the HWMonitor software. You can either download the regular installer and install the software as you would any Windows software or download the portable version. I’ve downloaded the portable version.
If you downloaded the portable version, open the ZIP file and extract the x64 EXE file. Next, open the HWMonitor application.
The CPU temperature is under the “CPU Name > Temperatures” section. Depending on your CPU, HWMonitor might show different information. For most, the CPU Package temperature is what you should look at. You can find the temperature of each CPU core under the “Temperatures > Cores (Max)” section.
HWiNFO
HWiNFO is a popular application to get a lot of information about the hardware in Windows. We have previously used it to show the CPU and GPU temperature on the taskbar. Let me show you how to check the CPU temperature using HWiNFO software for Windows.
- Get the HWiNFO software.
- Install the HWiNFO application.
- Select the “Sensors only” checkbox.
- Click the “Start” button.
- You will find the CPU temperature under the “CPU” section.
- Look at the “CPU Skin Temperature” to get the CPU temperature.
Download HWiNFO: https://www.hwinfo.com/download/
Go to the developer website and download the HWiNFO application. After downloading, install it as you would any Windows application. Open the application after installing it.
As soon as you launch, you will see a small welcome screen. Choose the “Sensors only” checkbox and click the “Start” button.
Pressing the button prompts the application to scan the system and collect the sensor data. The CPU temperature is under the “CPU – Name” heading. Generally, look at the CPU Skin Temperature field. To get the temperature of individual cores, expand the “Core Temperatures” to find.
Speccy
Speccy is one of my long-time favorites to get hardware info in Windows. One of the best things about Speccy is that it looks great with a minimal user interface that shows information in an orderly manner.
Let me show you how to check the CPU temperature using Speccy.
- Get Speccy from the official website.
- Install Speccy in Windows.
- Open the Speccy application from the Start menu.
- You will see the CPU temperature on the right panel under the “CPU” heading.
- (Optional) You can also click on “CPU” on the sidebar to find the CPU temperature.
Download Speccy: https://www.ccleaner.com/speccy/download
Since this is a third-party application, download it from the official website and install it. Open Speccy after installing it.
You will see the CPU temperature under the “CPU” heading on the right panel. Unlike other applications, you don’t have to wonder which temperature reading belongs to the CPU.
Optionally, click on the “CPU” option on the sidebar. It will show additional information regarding your CPU, including the actual CPU temperature.
CoreTemp
As the name implies, CoreTemp is a simple application that shows the actual CPU temperature along with some additional information like the CPU model, frequency, platform, etc. Here is how to use it.
Go to the developer website and download the CoreTemp application. Install the application after downloading.
Important note: While installing the application, it might try to install adware like games. I recommend you uncheck all the unnecessary checkboxes while installing the application. Look at the below image for reference.
Download CoreTemp: https://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/
Open the CoreTemp application from the Start menu. You will find the CPU temperature at the bottom, under the “Temperature Readings” heading.
How to reduce CPU temperature?
If your CPU temperature is too high for long periods, it will reduce the system performance and CPU lifespan. In the worst-case scenario, it might even damage the CPU. To deal with high CPU temperature, here are a few recommendations.
- Make sure your desktop/laptop is dust-free. Too much dust can interfere with airflow and increase the overall temperature.
- Ensure all the fans in your desktop/laptop case are spinning.
- If it’s desktop, it might be due to a dried-out thermal compound between your CPU and heatsink. If possible, try to clean the heatsink and use a new thermal compound. You can also do that with laptops. If you don’t know how I recommend taking your computer to a technician.
- If your workflow is intensive, like video editing or gaming, you should use adequate cooling. You can do that with a bigger or more efficient CPU heatsink or water cooling. Generally, the heatsink cooling capacity should be rated at par or higher than your CPU’s TDP (Thermal Design Power).
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That is all. It is that simple to check CPU temperature in Windows.
I hope this easy Windows how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.
