How to check CPU temperature on Windows 11

• Windows 11 doesn’t have a built-in CPU temperature monitor, but several free tools can show the reading.
• HWiNFO, Core Temp, and HWMonitor offer different ways to monitor CPU temperature and other hardware sensors.
• UEFI can show the CPU temperature without Windows, but the processor is usually under little or no load.
• Monitoring temperatures while Windows is running is the better way to see how your CPU behaves during demanding tasks.

On Windows 11, when I’m troubleshooting a computer that feels unusually hot, the CPU temperature is one of the first things I check. High temperatures can point to problems with cooling, airflow, dust buildup, or a processor that’s being pushed harder than expected. The good news is that I don’t need specialized equipment to find out how hot the CPU is running.

The operating system still doesn’t include a built-in option for monitoring the processor temperature. Instead, I usually use third-party hardware-monitoring tools such as HWiNFO, Core Temp, and HWMonitor to see the temperature in real time. These apps can also provide information about other hardware, including the graphics card, motherboard, memory, storage, fans, voltages, and power consumption.

I find that each tool is useful for a different reason. HWiNFO is the best choice when I want a detailed look at virtually every sensor in the device. Core Temp keeps things much simpler and focuses primarily on the processor, making it a good option when I just want to check the CPU temperature quickly. HWMonitor sits somewhere in between, providing temperature and other hardware readings without the amount of detail found in HWiNFO.

I can also check the CPU temperature from the motherboard’s Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), commonly referred to as the BIOS. This method is useful because it doesn’t require an operating system or any additional software, but there’s an important limitation. The processor is usually under very little load before the system starts. If I want to know how hot the processor gets while gaming, editing video, running a demanding app, or performing another intensive task, I need to monitor it when Windows 11 is running.

In this guide, I’ll show you four ways to check the CPU temperature on Windows 11, including how to monitor the processor while Windows is running and how to check its temperature from the UEFI firmware.

• Check CPU temp on Windows 11 from apps
• Check CPU temp on Windows 11 from UEFI

Check CPU temp on Windows 11 from apps

Although Windows 11 doesn’t include a way to view and monitor the processor temperature, you can use a number of third-party tools, such as HWiNFO, Core Temp, and HWMonitor.

1. Check temperature using HWiNFO

The HWiNFO app is among the most popular apps for monitoring the processor and other components, such as graphics cards, memory, network cards, fans, and power information, in real-time. Although the application is straightforward, the details can be overwhelming for most users. It’s an excellent app for checking the processor’s temperature. 

To install the HWiNFO app to check the CPU temperature on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start on Windows 11. 

2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to install the HWiNFO app and press Enter:

   winget install --id REALiX.HWiNFO

   

4. Open Start.

5. Search for HWiNFO and click the top result to open the app.

6. Select the Sensors-only option from the tool launcher.

7. Click the Start button.

8. Confirm the sensors to review the CPU temperature for your processor.

   

If you want to check CPU temperature while gaming on Windows 11, keep HWiNFO running in the background and check the readings after playing for a while.

2. Check temperature using Core Temp

Core Temp is a free application that quickly shows the processor’s temperature along with other details, including model, platform, frequency, load, and power usage. If you’re looking for a straightforward app to monitor the main processor’s temperature, this is the one you should use.

To install the Core Temp app to check the processor temp on your computer, use these steps:

1. Open Start on Windows 11. 

2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to install the Core Temp app and press Enter:

   winget install --id ALCPU.CoreTemp

   

4. Open Start.

5. Search for Core Temp and click the top result to open the app.

6. Check the CPU temp under the “Temperature Readings” section.

   

   Quick note: The reading will include the minimum and maximum temperature readings since you opened the application.

3. Check temperature using HWMonitor

HWMonitor is another popular app from CPUID that gives you a Task Manager-like interface with the temperature information and other details, such as voltage, clocks, fan speeds, and more about the CPU, GPU, motherboard, memory, and hard drives. This application is similar to HWiNFO, but the information is less overwhelming. It’s also free to use.

To install the HWMonitor app to monitor the processor temperature, use these steps:

1. Open Start on Windows 11. 

2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command to install the HWMonitor app and press Enter:

   winget install --id CPUID.HWMonitor

   

4. Open Start.

5. Search for HWMonitor and click the top result to open the app.

6. Select the system processor from the list.

7. Choose the Temperature item.

8. Confirm the CPU temperature on the computer.

   

   Quick note: If you expand the entry, you can view the temperature of each package, depending on the processor’s physical structure.

Regardless of the app you choose, once you complete the steps, you will have an idea of the processor’s current temperature while Windows 11 is loaded.

These are not the only applications. You may find many more, and some manufacturers have their own monitor utilities. For example, AMD has the Ryzen Master app, and Intel has the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility. While both apps offer different features, both include temperature information about the processor.

Check CPU temp on Windows 11 from UEFI

Alternatively, you can also determine the processor temperature through the motherboard’s UEFI (BIOS) firmware. Most modern devices use UEFI firmware, but whether the firmware displays CPU temperature information depends on the system or motherboard manufacturer. Usually, you will find information on custom builds using motherboards from known brands, such as ASUS, ASRock, MSI, and many others. 

To determine the processor temp from the UEFI, use these steps:

1. Open Settings. 

2. Click on System.

3. Click on Recovery.

4. Click the Restart now button for the “Advanced startup” setting under the “Recovery options” section.

   

5. Click on Troubleshoot.

6. Click on Advanced options.

7. Click the “UEFI Firmware Settings” option.

   

8. Click the Restart button.

9. Check the CPU temperature on the main page.

   Quick note: Usually, motherboard manufacturers have different design approaches when it comes to the UEFI experience. As a result, the information may be available in a different location inside the settings. If you must use this approach, it’s recommended to check the manufacturer’s documentation to find the information.

After you complete the steps, the motherboard’s UEFI settings will display the current processor temperature. 

The difference between checking the CPU temperature from UEFI and using a third-party application is that an app can monitor the processor while Windows 11 is running, including during demanding workloads. UEFI, on the other hand, shows the temperature before Windows loads, when the processor is typically under little or no load.

Usually, you want to determine this information when the operating system is running, but checking the firmware readings can also help you understand the device’s thermals. For example, if the temperature is high while inside the firmware, it can indicate issues with thermal paste, the CPU cooler, or ventilation.

Which method should I use?

• For a quick CPU temperature check: Core Temp
• For detailed hardware monitoring: HWiNFO
• For a simpler all-around hardware monitor: HWMonitor
• For checking temperature without Windows: UEFI

What method are you using to check the processor temperature on your computer? Let me know in the comments.