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Sidebar Diagnostics
What it is
Sidebar Diagnostics is a free Windows desktop sidebar for viewing hardware information while you work. It monitors CPU, RAM, GPU, network activity, and logical drives, and can present those measurements as graphs. The sidebar can also show a clock, raise alerts, respond to hotkeys, and accommodate monitors using different DPI settings. The project describes extensive display customization, with hardware data supplied by Libre Hardware Monitor. Supported operating systems are Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. The releases page offers an installer and a standalone ZIP; the standalone version does not update automatically. The application must run with administrator privileges. The repository identifies the software under the GNU General Public License 3.0 and includes an issue template for reporting problems. Remote monitoring is not available. Sidebar Diagnostics is offered free on GitHub, with donations invited by its author. The listed Free plan is free.
For and against
For
- Monitors CPU, RAM, GPU, network, and logical drives
- Graphs metrics and displays a clock
- Supports alerts, hotkeys, and varied DPI monitors
- Installer and standalone ZIP available
- Free Windows desktop plan
Against
- Requires administrator privileges
- Remote monitoring is not supported
- Standalone ZIP does not auto-update
- Supports Windows through version 10
The verdict
Sidebar Diagnostics provides broad local monitoring and several display controls at no cost. Its administrator requirement and lack of remote monitoring matter when choosing it for managed or distributed systems.
Who it suits
It suits Windows users who want local hardware, network, and drive statistics in a customizable sidebar. It is also relevant to users comfortable running desktop software as administrator.
Plans and prices
Free
Windows desktop app · requires administrator privileges
Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Customization
- The project says the sidebar supports extensive customization.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Data library
- The project says its hardware data is provided by Libre Hardware Monitor.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Display features
- It can graph metrics, show a clock, and support alerts, hotkeys, and monitors with different DPI settings.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Donation
- The author says the software will always be free on GitHub and invites donations.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The releases page provides an installer and a standalone ZIP; the standalone build does not auto-update.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies the software as GNU General Public License (GPL-3.0).github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Metrics
- It monitors CPU, RAM, GPU, network, and logical drives.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Sidebar Diagnostics is a Windows desktop sidebar that displays hardware diagnostic information.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Remote monitoring
- Nogithub.com · read 24 Sep 2026
- Support
- The repository provides an issue template for reporting issues.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Windows 7,Windows 8,Windows 8.1,Windows 10github.com · read 24 Sep 2026
- Supported Windows versions
- The README lists Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, and Windows 7 as supported operating systems.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- System requirement
- The README says the application must be run as administrator.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
