CrystalDiskInfo
CrystalDiskInfo is a utility tool that can tell you about the hardware performance of your hard disk, including how likely it is to stop operating in the near future. The app gives you a complete readout of all your computer's SMART information, as well as a current temperature and health status.
The interface can be easily navigated by anyone with an OK understanding of hard drives and the Windows OS. From the dashboard you can quickly see a long list of up-to-date system data. CrystalDiskInfo doesn’t have a lot of options here, or settings or deep drill down menus for that matter. It does, however, give you a clear and straightforward interface that shows all of the data it can retrieve* from each drive on your system.
CrystalDiskInfo can be configured to send you Alerts in the event that there is an issue with one of the drives being monitored. These alerts can be audible or via email, and you can also configure the frequency of application refresh data.
Overall, CrystalDiskInfo is a good, free tool if you have a reasonable level of computer knowledge and want to be kept informed about your system. It is lightweight, and uses hardly any system resources at all. The interface is crisp and clutter free, but the downside is, there is no Help feature with the app, and it does’t provide an explanation for any of the data that is displayed. If you are a novice user, it may be a good idea to try another app.
*Various drives implement S.M.A.R.T. in different ways and not every drive tracks or reports every possible value.
