Sidebar Diagnostics review
A focused, free desktop monitor for Windows users who want visible system metrics.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Sidebar Diagnostics is a free, open-source Windows desktop utility for displaying hardware information in a customizable sidebar. It monitors CPU, RAM, GPU, network activity, and logical drives, making it a fit for users who want system metrics visible on the desktop rather than in a separate monitoring window. The interface includes graphs, configured-value alerts, hotkey binding, DPI-aware monitor support, and a built-in clock. It is written in C# using WPF and uses Libre Hardware Monitor for sensor data.
Pricing is straightforward: Sidebar Diagnostics is free and released under the GNU General Public License. Its standalone ZIP distribution can suit users who prefer a portable-style desktop utility, while the customizable sidebar keeps the product focused on at-a-glance monitoring. The feature set covers common desktop diagnostics without introducing a broader remote-management layer. Users who need a local Windows widget with core hardware, network, and drive metrics get a compact scope and no paid plan decision to make.
The main trade-off is focus. Sidebar Diagnostics supports Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10, and it requires administrator privileges. It does not provide remote monitoring, so it is not the right choice for managing multiple systems or viewing hardware status away from the monitored PC. Its sensor coverage is tied to Libre Hardware Monitor, and the product is centered on a customizable sidebar rather than a wider monitoring ecosystem. Choose it for lightweight local visibility on a Windows desktop; consider another category option if remote access or broader platform coverage is essential.
Sidebar Diagnostics pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Monitors CPU, RAM, GPU, network, and logical drives
- Includes graphs, alerts, hotkeys, DPI support, and a built-in clock
- Free, open-source, and distributed as a standalone ZIP
- Where it doesn't
- Windows-only, with support listed through Windows 10
- Requires administrator privileges to run
- Does not provide remote monitoring
Sidebar Diagnostics fact sheet, pricing and score →
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