Open Hardware Monitor: what it is and how to remove it

Open Hardware Monitor is a legitimate hardware monitoring program, but bogus versions with ad-injection functionality are bundled with freeware. The fraudulent version creates pop-ups and redirects.

Facts checked October 8, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.

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Open Hardware Monitor: uninstall from windows 1
Open Hardware Monitor as our 2021 report showed it.

Open Hardware Monitor: summary

Detection namesNone: the genuine file is not detected
DistributionNot recorded in the old report
DamageNot recorded in the old report
NameOpen Hardware Monitor
TypeProgram file
SymptomsA process with a Windows name running from the wrong folder
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Show 5 more facts
EvidenceOne write-up by a security site; details still limited
File nameOpen Hardware Monitor
What it isOf unknown origin
First seen2 March 2021
Facts checked5 October 2026

What the Open Hardware Monitor file is

Open Hardware Monitor trojan alerts and how to uninstall OpenHardwareMonitor or Libre Hardware Monitor

An Open Hardware Monitor trojan alert (also written OpenHardwareMonitor trojan or Openhardware Monitor trojan) usually means Microsoft Defender flagged its driver, not that the program is a trojan.

Users report the name HackTool:Win32/Winring0 on OpenHardwareMonitorLib.sys. The flag targets the old WinRing0 driver that monitoring tools use to read sensors. A fake copy bundled with freeware is a separate problem and shows ads and redirects instead.

WinRing0 has a published flaw, CVE-2020-14979, and gives programs kernel level access to the PC. Malware can abuse such a driver, which is why Defender warns even when the tool itself is genuine. Users of Fan Control saw the same alert, and so did users of apps that ship LibreHardwareMonitorLib.dll. Fan Control replaced WinRing0 with a driver called PawnIO in a 2025 release, according to its users.

To uninstall OpenHardwareMonitor, first close it, including its tray icon, in Task Manager. Then open Settings > Apps > Installed apps and remove it if it is listed. Open Hardware Monitor is usually run from an unpacked folder without an installer, in our reading, so if it is not listed, delete that folder. Remove any copy you did not download yourself, together with programs installed at the same time.

To remove OpenHardwareMonitorLib.sys, quit every program that loads it, then let Defender quarantine it or delete it with the program folder. Users report that a quarantined driver came back within seconds while its program was still running. Also look for WinRing0x64.sys in C:\Windows\System32\drivers. OpenHardwareMonitorLib.dll is the program's own library; it goes away with the folder and is harmless on its own.

To uninstall Libre Hardware Monitor, the newer fork, follow the same order as for Open Hardware Monitor and then run a Defender quick scan. Some apps such as ASUS GameFirst bundle LibreHardwareMonitorLib.dll, so the alert can name a folder of another program. In that case update or remove that program instead of deleting its files by hand.

From our report of Mar 2021 · not reviewed since

Open Hardware Monitor is the shady tool that should be useful and improve the performance of the PC

Open Hardware Monitor is a suspicious program that controls traffic and spreads with other freeware pieces.

Even though the Internet is full of useful software, some of them may be corrupted by cybercriminals, and this is exactly what happened to a legitimate hardware software, now often referred to as "Open Hardware Monitor virus". This program is not the tool that could be used on the system or at least it shouldn't be used as a tool because it gives no value.

The program itself is not infectious and provides a useful service for monitoring your computer's temperature, fan speed, and other hardware-related parameters. At least the original application should. Nevertheless, people complain that PUP creators managed to turn this useful application into an annoying, ad-injecting, intrusive adware-type program.

Unlike the original software, the bogus piece is usually promoted on unreliable websites or secretly attached to other software packages as an additional install. Torrent sites and free download platforms are some of the more common sources where people can get this rogue app.

The faux program's source code is modified to generate numerous pop-ups, banners, interstitial, in-text, and other ads. Also, these ads are displayed using a virtual layer which may obstruct the readability of the original web page's content and worsen your browsing quality even more.

Another noticeable aspect after the PUP is the slowing down of the browser's performance. In fact, not even the web pages may take ages to load, but the browser may also crash or freeze because of the continuous process of generating ads.

If antivirus detects that the program is infected, do not hesitate to remove Open Hardware Monitor from your system as soon as you can.

If you do not find ads annoying, you should, at least, be sure not to click on them.

It is not advisable to do so because most adware programs, including the suspicious Open Hardware Monitor, redirect the users to affiliate sites to increase their traffic and, in this way, generate revenue for the creators. To avoid damage related to these PUPs run and repair affected registry entries or system files yourself.

What is more, to gather more clicks, this adware may also track the users' activity on the web. It may monitor what sites you are visiting or what you are entering into their search engines and generate ads related to your interests. So, if you think such adware activity on your computer is not acceptable, you should start thinking about the program removal from your system as soon as possible.

From our report of Mar 2021 · not reviewed since

Promotional material triggering unwanted installs of tools

As we already mentioned at the beginning of this article, Open Hardware Monitor is a legitimate program, so you might have downloaded and installed it on your computer willingly.

The healthiness of this program, however, depends on whether you have downloaded it from a respectable source.

If not, there is a great chance you have been infected with the PUP. Your computer might also have been hijacked without your consent. The intruder could have entered your system in a software package along with some other popular program and stealthily installed along with it.

To avoid such attacks in the future, you should always double-check the sources from which you download your software and use advanced installation settings to prevent additional unwanted installs. This habit could help avoid PUPs in the future.

How to check the Open Hardware Monitor file

  • File: Open Hardware Monitor

What to do with Open Hardware Monitor

How to check Open Hardware Monitor

The genuine file belongs to an installed program.

Check that it is the real one before you remove anything.

  1. Step 1: Check the location and signature of the file

    The name alone proves nothing: malware copies the names of real files. Use Open file location in Task Manager to see where Open Hardware Monitor runs from, then check Properties > Digital Signatures and run a Defender scan of that single file from the right-click menu.

    Only a copy in a wrong folder or without a valid signature needs removal on Windows 11 or Windows 10.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

  2. Step 2: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan

    Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.

    Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.

    Windows Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

Instructions for each browser and system

The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 7/XP

Remove the unwanted program:

  1. In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
  2. If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.Uninstall the unwanted program from Windows
Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data.Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.

Reset Google Chrome:

If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2
Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click Remove.Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.Reset MS Edge
Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset.
  5. This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.Reset Chromium Edge
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2
Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
  2. Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.Remove extensions from Safari

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
  2. Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  3. From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.Reset Safari
Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Access your website securely from any location

When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.

If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.

Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks

While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.

More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.

Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.

From our report of Mar 2021 · not reviewed since

Make sure to remove the Open Hardware Monitor from the PC

To remove Open Hardware Monitor from your computer, you will first have to uninstall the program itself.

Once it is uninstalled, you should reset your browser's settings to the default mode. However, if this adware has installed some additional "helper objects" getting rid of this app may be more difficult.

Therefore, we suggest the automatic program removal method over the manual one, because trustworthy anti-malware software will detect all the possible threats to your computer you may not even know of. If you still want to opt for the manual removal, or if you have problems removing the intruder automatically, we have prepared a detailed removal guide, which you can find below.

However, it is more recommended to remove the program with your anti-malware tool and repair the system directories using PC repair tools. Automatic scans and system optimization processes can save you a lot of time.

Questions about Open Hardware Monitor

What is Open Hardware Monitor?

Open Hardware Monitor is a legitimate Windows application that monitors your PC's temperature, fan speed, and other hardware parameters. However, cybercriminals have created counterfeit versions that inject ads instead of providing monitoring services.

The fake program generates numerous pop-ups, banners, and interstitial ads that obstruct web content and degrade your browsing experience. These bogus copies are distributed on unreliable websites and bundled with freeware downloads.

Is Open Hardware Monitor safe?

The original program from the official source is safe and provides useful hardware monitoring. The counterfeit versions are not safe—they are ad-injecting adware detected as PUA:Win32/CandyOpen or similar names by antivirus vendors.

If your antivirus flags it as a threat, the version on your system is fraudulent. Download only from the official website if you want the legitimate tool. Avoid third-party download sites and torrent platforms.

How did Open Hardware Monitor get on my PC?

You either downloaded it from an unreliable website or it came bundled with freeware you installed. Torrent sites and free download platforms are common sources for the bogus version.

Software bundling occurs when you click through installation without checking Advanced settings—pre-selected checkboxes allow additional programs to install without your active consent. The fake application may also be bundled without disclosure as a hidden component.

What damage does the fake Open Hardware Monitor cause?

The fraudulent version displays continuous pop-ups, banners, and in-text ads that interfere with normal web browsing. It slows down your browser significantly and may cause crashes or freezing due to constant ad generation.

The ads typically redirect you to affiliate sites that pay the adware creators commission on clicks. Your browsing activity may be tracked and sold to advertisers. The program also modifies browser settings and may prevent Windows updates.

Can I keep the legitimate Open Hardware Monitor?

Yes, if you download it from the official source and it does not trigger antivirus alerts. Many security vendors may still flag it as a PUP (potentially unwanted program) because of past misuse by bundlers, not because the original software is malicious.

If antivirus detects it, uninstall immediately—that version is fake. Reset your browser to default settings after removal to clean up any modifications.

How do I remove Open Hardware Monitor from my PC?

Go to Control Panel, find the program in Programs and Features, and uninstall it. You may need to use Task Manager to stop related processes before uninstall completes.

After removal, reset your web browser to default settings—check your home page, search engine, and installed extensions. Run a full antivirus scan and a browser cleanup to remove any remaining components. Clear your browser cache and cookies.

Why do ads keep appearing after I uninstall it?

The adware may have installed browser extensions, toolbars, or helper objects that remain after program removal. Reset your browser settings to remove these components. Check your installed extensions and remove anything unfamiliar.

Clear your browser cache, cookies, and browsing history. If ads persist, run a full system scan with reputable antivirus software to detect leftover malware components. You may need to reset browser sync to remove hidden server-side modifications.

How can I prevent bundled adware installations in the future?

Always download software from official websites, not third-party sites. Use Advanced or Custom installation settings instead of Quick or Recommended options.

Carefully review each installation step and uncheck any pre-selected boxes for additional software. Read the terms and conditions before clicking Agree.

Avoid torrent sites and free download platforms. Keep your antivirus updated and run regular scans. Verify your browser homepage and search engine settings after every installation.

Will Fortect remove Open Hardware Monitor?

Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.

For Open Hardware Monitor, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.

Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.

Sources

More removal guides

Questions and experiences: Open Hardware Monitor

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