Norton Software Updater Incorrectly Detects HWMonitor 1.68 as Outdated and Never Removes the Update Notification

[T.I6548]

Issue abstract:

Norton Software Updater continuously reports HWMonitor as outdated even though the latest version (1.68) is already installed.

Detailed description:

I have installed the latest version of HWMonitor (1.68). However, Norton Software Updater continues to detect it as outdated and repeatedly recommends an update.

The version displayed by Norton appears to be “1.6.8.0”, while the actual HWMonitor version is “1.68”. This suggests that there may be an issue with how Norton parses or compares the version number.

I have already uninstalled and reinstalled HWMonitor, but the problem persists. The software continues to appear in the Software Updater list after reinstallation.

Expected behavior: Norton Software Updater should recognize HWMonitor 1.68 as the latest installed version and should not report it as outdated.

Actual behavior: HWMonitor remains listed as requiring an update even though the latest version is already installed.

Product & version number:

Norton 360 (latest version available at the time of reporting)

OS details:

Windows 11

What is the error message you are seeing?

No error message is displayed.

Norton Software Updater continuously reports HWMonitor as outdated despite the latest version already being installed.

If you have any supporting screenshots, please add them:

Screenshots showing:

1. HWMonitor version 1.68 installed.

2. Norton Software Updater reporting HWMonitor as outdated.

3. The version information displayed by Norton

   
   
   

[bjm]

@T.I6548

Norton Software Updater continuously reports HWMonitor as outdated even though the latest version (1.68) is already installed.

I have installed the latest version of HWMonitor (1.68). However, Norton Software Updater continues to detect it as outdated and repeatedly recommends an update.

The version displayed by Norton appears to be “1.6.8.0”, while the actual HWMonitor version is “1.68”. This suggests that there may be an issue with how Norton parses or compares the version number.

Hello @T.I6548

This is a known issue where Norton Software Updater misinterprets version formatting (e.g., comparing “1.68” vs “1.6.8.0”), creating a continuous false-positive loop. Since you have already verified that CPUID HWMonitor is up to date, you can safely ignore this alert.

To prevent Norton from continuously prompting you to update, you can add HWMonitor to the exclusions list or reset the updater cache:

Option 1: Exclude HWMonitor from Future Scans
The most direct fix is telling Norton to stop scanning this specific app:

1. Open your Norton Security application.
2. Navigate to the Software Updater tool pane.
3. Locate HWMonitor in the list of detected programs.
4. Click next to the “Update” button and select Ignore (this adds it to your Ignored list so it will no longer trigger alerts).

Update your programs with Norton Software Updater

Why Other Tools Succeed Where Norton Fails
The registry entries created by the CPUID HWMonitor installer save the application version as 1.68.

• Smart Updaters: Modern or specialized software updaters look at the registry string 1.68 and correctly evaluate it mathematically or lexically. They recognize that if the latest available release is 1.68, your system is fully matching it.
• Norton’s Engine: Norton’s parsing engine enforces a strict four-part versioning standard (Major.Minor.Build.Revision / 1.6.8.0). When Norton scans your registry and sees a two-part number (1.68), it misinterprets it. Its logic incorrectly decides that 1.68 is mathematically smaller than 1.6.8.0 (essentially reading it as a primitive “version 1.6” or treating the decimal differently), triggering the persistent, erroneous alert.

Since Norton’s internal parsing logic handles shorthand decimal formats poorly compared to competitors, clicking Ignore within Norton’s Software Updater interface remains the best way to bypass their broken matching engine without changing how your software operates.

May be best – to document/report “issue” directly via Norton support.
Note: for an official Norton response – open a support case:
Norton Support Help Center → Contact us (bottom of page)
Contact Norton Support → Let’s get started | Welcome (signed in)

AI sourced content may make mistakes

[bjm]

Hello @T.I6548
Care to share your progress

[T.I6548]

Norton has contacted me directly, and I’ve sent them the debug information.
Thank you for your concern and support.

[bjm]

@T.I6548

Norton has contacted me directly, and I’ve sent them the debug information.
Thank you for your concern and support.

Hello @T.I6548
Thanks for sharing your progress