Where Does HWiNFO Store Settings?
HWiNFO splits settings between a portable INI and machine registry, with a built-in backup bridging the two.
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HWiNFO draws a portability line through its own settings. Portable friendly options live in HWiNFO64.INI beside the exe. Machine specific sensor layouts live in the registry, exportable through the settings window.
Updates respect the split: swapping the exe preserves both halves. Migration needs both halves copied, with registry imports handled by the built-in backup rather than regedit adventures. Overlay tools back up the same pair for combined setups.
Where HWiNFO stores this, by platform
C:\Program Files\HWiNFO64\HWiNFO64.INI
Portable settings live beside the exe; the installed spot is shown. Machine sensor layouts live in the registry; use Backup User Settings to capture both.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up everything?
Use Backup User Settings in the main settings window for the registry half plus the INI file for the portable half. Restoring needs both pieces. Sensor layouts without the registry half rebuild wrong.
Do updates wipe settings?
Replace only the exe during updates. Portable settings persist in the existing INI while registry sensor settings survive untouched. Both halves outlive version bumps by design.
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