Blackfire Continuous Profiler
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System Informer
Powerful Windows tool for monitoring, debugging, and malware detection
System Informer is a free, portable Windows utility offering detailed system activity, resource graphs, file‑lock detection, network connection management, and advanced debugging.
Overview
Overview
System Informer is a free, portable Windows application designed for IT professionals, developers, and power users who need deep insight into system performance and security. Running on Windows 10 or later (both 32‑bit and 64‑bit), it provides real‑time graphs, detailed process lists, and stack‑trace analysis without requiring installation.
Capabilities
The tool highlights resource‑intensive processes, shows which applications hold file locks, and enumerates active network connections with one‑click termination. Advanced debugging features include kernel‑mode, WOW64, and .NET stack traces, while service management goes beyond the built‑in Windows console. Because it is a single executable, it can be launched from a USB drive, and settings can be stored alongside the binary for portable use.
Deployment
Users can download the pre‑built binary or compile the source with Visual Studio 2022 or later using the provided build scripts. The MIT license permits unrestricted modification and redistribution, making it suitable for both personal and commercial environments.
Highlights
Real-time graphs and statistics for pinpointing resource hogs
File lock viewer to identify processes preventing file operations
Network connection inspector with one-click termination
Portable executable; runs from USB without installation
Pros
- Completely free under MIT license
- Portable; no installation required
- Extensive debugging support including kernel-mode and .NET stack traces
- Rich UI with highlighting and detailed process information
Considerations
- Windows‑only; no macOS/Linux support
- Requires Visual Studio 2022 to build from source
- Advanced features may have a steep learning curve for novices
- Limited to 32/64‑bit Windows 10+ environments
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Fit guide
Great for
- IT administrators needing deep insight into Windows system performance
- Developers debugging complex applications or drivers
- Security analysts investigating malware activity
- Power users who want a portable task manager
Not ideal when
- Users on non‑Windows platforms
- Casual users who only need a basic task manager
- Environments where installing Visual Studio is prohibited
- Organizations requiring built‑in automatic updates
How teams use it
Identify runaway processes draining CPU
Graphical CPU usage view quickly reveals offending processes, allowing termination to restore system responsiveness.
Detect which process locks a file
File lock viewer shows the exact process holding the file, enabling safe unlock or termination.
Analyze network connections of suspicious software
Network inspector lists active connections and lets you close malicious sockets in real time.
Debug kernel‑mode crashes with stack traces
Integrated stack trace viewer provides kernel and .NET call stacks, aiding developers in pinpointing root causes.
Tech snapshot
C90%
C++8%
C#2%
CMake1%
Batchfile1%
PowerShell1%
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to install System Informer?
No, the executable is portable and can run directly from any folder or USB drive.
What Windows versions are supported?
Windows 10 and later, both 32‑bit and 64‑bit editions.
Is the source code free to modify?
Yes, it is released under the MIT license, allowing unrestricted modification and redistribution.
Can I build the project myself?
You need Visual Studio 2022 or newer; run the provided build scripts or open the solution files.
How do I save settings on a removable drive?
Create an empty file named SystemInformer.exe.settings.xml alongside the executable; the program will store its configuration there.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 13,428
- Watchers
- 13,428
- Forks
- 1,600
LicenseMIT
Repo age9 years old
Last commit19 hours ago
Primary languageC
Last synced 3 hours ago