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Notebook FanControl
What it is
Notebook FanControl (NBFC) is a free, open-source service for controlling notebook fans on Windows and Linux. Its configuration system adapts the service to many notebook models. Windows users run the installer, choose a notebook configuration, and apply it. Linux users build NBFC themselves, install its systemd service, and apply a configuration; the project provides no pre-built Linux releases. Downloads are linked through GitHub releases and a Chocolatey package, and the repository uses the GNU General Public License version 3. A supported-notebook list helps users find configurations, while a similar model’s configuration may work when theirs is absent. The maintainer does not create individual configurations, so users are directed to try making one. Some systems have reported conflicts with ImDisk Toolkit or HWiNFO. Nvidia Optimus notebooks may lose fan control while the dedicated GPU is active, with no current solution. Secure Boot can also block Linux operation through /dev/port.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Works on Windows and Linux
- Configurable for many notebook models
- GitHub and Chocolatey downloads
- Supports systemd on Linux
Against
- Linux has no pre-built releases
- Some monitoring tools can conflict
- Optimus fan control may stop with dedicated GPU
- Secure Boot blocks /dev/port
The verdict
NBFC provides model-based notebook fan control without a purchase cost. Setup is more involved on Linux, and hardware, monitoring-tool, and Secure Boot limitations may affect whether it works on a particular system.
Who it suits
It suits notebook owners on Windows or Linux who need configurable fan control. Linux users should be comfortable building software and handling system services.
Plans and prices
NBFC
Notebook fan control · Configurable for different notebook models
Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Config support
- The FAQ says the maintainer cannot create a config for a user's notebook and suggests users try creating one themselves.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Its configuration system lets users adjust NBFC for many different notebook models.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The README links to GitHub releases and a Chocolatey package for downloads.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Hardware conflict
- The FAQ reports that some hardware monitoring tools, including ImDisk Toolkit and HWiNFO, have caused problems alongside NBFC on some systems.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository includes the GNU General Public License version 3.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Linux downloads
- The project README says there are no pre-built Linux releases and users can build NBFC themselves.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Linux setup
- On Linux, users build NBFC themselves, install its systemd service, and apply a notebook config.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Nvidia Optimus limitation
- On some notebooks with Nvidia Optimus, NBFC cannot control the fans while the dedicated GPU is active, and the FAQ says there is currently no solution.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- NBFC is a cross-platform fan control service for notebooks.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Release notes
- Release 1.6.3 lists support for Intel Coffee Lake, Apollo Lake, AMD Ryzen, AMD Puma, and additional notebook models.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Secure Boot limitation
- The Linux setup page says NBFC normally uses /dev/port, which is unavailable with Secure Boot enabled, and lists disabling Secure Boot as a workaround.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Supported models
- The FAQ directs users to a supported notebook list and says a config for a similar model may work when their model is not listed.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Windows setup
- On Windows, users run the installer, select a config, and apply it to let NBFC control the notebook fans.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
