The HWINFO Story: Martin Malik, the Face and the History Behind the Well-Known Diagnostic Tool

A Brief Journey Through Time

Martin began developing HWiNFO in the early 1990s, in response to a growing need for more detailed information about computer hardware beyond what standard operating systems provided. The first version of HWiNFO was released around 1995. At that time, DOS was the most widespread operating system, and Windows was just emerging, so the initial versions ran in text mode under DOS.

 

As Windows 95 was released, Martin was more fascinated by systems based on the NT kernel (like Windows NT 4.0) due to its true multitasking and higher stability. He started porting HWiNFO to the NT kernel instead of Windows 95. In 1999, he released the first 32-bit version, HWiNFO32 (v0.0.1ß), which ran on the native NT kernel. This early version provided detailed information on various hardware components like processors, motherboards, and graphics cards. It supported devices such as the 3Dfx Banshee, Voodoo3, GeForce 256 graphics cards, and Creative Labs SB PCI512 sound cards, as well as enhanced compatibility for Windows 98 and processors up to 1,000 MHz.

HWiNFO32 became one of the first system information tools that ran on Windows NT, and when Windows 2000 was later released (which was a big success for Microsoft), Martin realized his efforts were heading in the right direction. Native support for Windows 9x was added later. HWiNFO32 rapidly grew, adding support for the latest hardware, technologies, and operating systems. As the first systems with dedicated sensors hit the market, Martin quickly recognized the importance of real-time monitoring and primarily focused on this area. The advent of 64-bit technology was not unanswered, and in 2011, the first native 64-bit version, HWiNFO64, was released.

Continuity and Adapting to Progress as a Primary Goal

Over the years, HWiNFO has been regularly updated to keep up with rapidly changing hardware technologies. The software has added new features and support for the latest processors, graphics cards, memory modules, and other PC components. Martin maintains close contacts with almost all major computer manufacturers, OEMs, ODMs, etc. He is often part of early access programs, where new technologies are added and tested (and through HWiNFO) before product release.

HWiNFO is especially known for providing detailed and accurate hardware information. It can monitor temperatures, voltages, currents, clock rates, fan speeds, and much more, making it a valuable tool for PC enthusiasts, system administrators, and overclockers. Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible to users with varying technical knowledge. Lessons learned in the early DOS days, when all resources (used memory, disk size) were limited and required efficient programming, still drive the development.

HWiNFO is built with a strong focus on efficiency and compactness without unnecessary bloat. This approach is one of the reasons why many users prefer HWiNFO. Processes in modern systems run at very high frequencies, and reliable monitoring requires minimal interference with the running system. Minimizing the observer effect as much as possible is one of the key focus areas. In addition, great importance is placed on broad compatibility, as HWiNFO can still run on 8086 CPUs (HWiNFO for DOS, which is still maintained!), while HWiNFO64, on the other hand, also provides support for platforms expected to be released in the coming years.

Another important aspect is frequent updates, essential for software that must keep up with the fast-evolving world of hardware and technologies, which are becoming increasingly complex and demanding. Additionally, HWiNFO is considered secure, as it respects user privacy and, although running with high privileges, does not collect or transmit personal data. The latest version of HWiNFO, v7.66, released on November 13, 2023, added new features like fan speed monitoring on ASUS VivoBook X513, improved support for AMD Storm Peak and monitoring on ASUS TRX50/WRX90E series, new Intel Arc GPUs, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER, and preliminary Intel NPU (VPU) support. It also includes various fixes and improvements.

Professional Version and HWiNFO SDK

HWiNFO64 Pro, a professional offshoot of HWiNFO64, was introduced with version 7.00. This version offers three different licenses for private users, testers, and businesses and includes features such as a command-line interface for automated reporting, sensor logging, and no runtime limit for the Shared Memory Interface (SHM). The Pro versions also offer a one-year update and support plan with free updates.

The high-performance HWiNFO engine is also available as an SDK to integrate into other software. This product is available for larger projects with individual pricing and customization per project. These two software suites enable Martin to advance the development of HWiNFO, benefiting freeware users as well. Of course, Martin is also grateful to all commercial users who make such work possible. The entrepreneurial risk can be minimized by skill, but a little advertising is also in order here, as the base of those financing this development could still grow.

Conclusion

Martin is quite flexible and helpful, and some of my requests have more or less publicly made their way into the tool. Of course, not everyone needs everything, but sometimes a little more is allowed (I’m just saying GDDR6X and memory temperatures). HWiNFO remains one of the leading solutions for hardware analysis and monitoring, valued for its accuracy, reliability, and regular updates to remain compatible with the latest hardware. It also remains an indispensable tool for PC enthusiasts and professionals alike. Amen.