To check your PC or laptop hardware specs on Windows, you can use built-in tools like Device Manager or System Information (msinfo32), but there are also plenty of third-party apps—both paid and free, including open-source options.
One of the best lightweight free tools is Glow. It’s simple, portable, and beginner-friendly. With support for English and other languages, Glow gives you a clear overview of your system’s components like CPU, RAM, storage, and more—without needing to install anything. For many users, it’s more than enough to get all the essential hardware info in one place.
Glow features overview
You can download Glow directly from the official GitHub page. It’s a portable app, which means you don’t need to install anything—just unzip the downloaded archive to any folder and run the program.
Glow provides a clear and easy-to-understand overview of your computer’s hardware and system information. Key features include:
🖥️ Operating System
Displays advanced system info like OS version, serial number, system model, and device ID — data not commonly available in standard tools.
🧩 Motherboard
Shows your motherboard’s brand, model, BIOS version, and serial number. This can be helpful for updates or troubleshooting hardware issues.
⚙️ Processor (CPU)
Get full details on your CPU model, core count, clock speed (GHz), and current usage in real-time.
💾 Memory (RAM)
View real-time RAM info: capacity, type (e.g., DDR4), voltage, slots used, manufacturer, and serial number.
🎮 Graphics Card (GPU)
Includes model, manufacturer, driver version, and current performance. Also shows details for connected monitors.
📦 Storage Devices
Detailed view of HDDs and SSDs: total and available space, file system, drive type, bus type, and health status (SMART data).
🌐 Network
Lists all network adapters (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, virtual), with IP addresses, MAC, and operational status.
🔌 USB Devices
Shows all connected USB devices, port details, and connection status — great for troubleshooting USB connectivity.
🔊 Sound System
Information on sound cards, audio drivers, connected headphones/speakers, and mixer settings to fix or configure audio issues.
🔋 Battery (Laptops Only)
Displays charge cycles, capacity, wear level, and health of your battery to help monitor power performance.
🧱 Installed Drivers
Lists all installed system drivers with version, compatibility status, and operational state. Useful for updating or fixing issues.
🔧 Running Services
Displays all currently active Windows services, useful for managing background processes and diagnosing issues.
📦 Installed Applications
Glow shows both visible and hidden applications — including those not listed in Control Panel or Windows Settings.
📤 Export Feature
Easily export full system reports as a .TXT or .HTML file for diagnostics, system audits, or sending to support teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Glow?
Glow is a free and portable tool that displays detailed hardware and system information about your PC, including CPU, RAM, storage, GPU, and more.
Do I need to install Glow?
No, Glow is a portable application. You just need to unzip the archive and run the executable—no installation required.
Where can I download Glow?
You can download Glow from its official GitHub page. It’s completely free and open-source.
Can Glow export system information?
Yes, Glow allows you to export all system data in .txt or .html formats, which is helpful for diagnostics and sharing reports.
What kind of information does Glow show?
Glow displays comprehensive details about your operating system, CPU, RAM, GPU, motherboard, drives, network adapters, USB devices, battery, drivers, services, and installed applications.
Explore other helpful tools in our Windows utilities section.
