Custom Resolution Utility is a utility, which allows users to modify their NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards by creating EDID overrides directly in the registry. The utility works based on computers and laptops with AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards, as well as on some Intel cards. Windows XP is not supported, but all others starting with Vista (7, 8.1 and 10) work properly. The program was updated on second of July in 2019 to version 1.4.1. The layout of the utility provides a list of currently supported resolutions for your monitor with the option to add new ones. Users use Custom Resolution Utility download and can run it without installation.
Requirements:
- Windows Vista or later (Windows XP does not support EDID overrides);
- AMD/ATI or NVIDIA GPU with appropriate driver installed (Microsoft Basic Display Adapter driver does not support EDID overrides);
- Intel GPUs and laptops with switchable graphics are supported with one of these drivers:
- 6th/7th generation (Skylake/Kaby Lake): Intel Graphics Driver for Windows [15.45]
- 4th/5th generation (Haswell/Broadwell): Intel Graphics Driver for Windows [15.40]
- 4th generation (Haswell) for Windows 7/8.1: Intel Graphics Driver for Windows 7/8.1 [15.36]
- Older Intel GPUs are supported using the alternative method described below.
In case you can’t see the screen it is necessary to be acquainted with getting into safe mode. If you don’t have a recovery drive, it is necessary to press and hold the power button to shut off the computer while Windows is booting. Having done this twice you get recovery options that you can use to get into safe mode: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
Starting the program
- unzip the archive with the utility and its components;
- run the CRU.exe file as an administrator;
- select the name of your monitor in the drop-down list;
- click the first Add button;
- select the appropriate value in the Timing line that suits your type of monitor; there are several values: Manual, Automatic – LCD standard, automatic LCD native, Automatic – LCD reduced, Automatic – CRT standard;
- write the resolution values that are supported by your monitor;
- write the Refresh rate value. You need to select a value exceeding the capabilities of your monitor in increase of 3 Hertz. For example, if your monitor produces a maximum of 75 hertz, then you can try increasing the frequency to 78 hertz. Therefore, step by step, you can raise the value until you reach the limit of your monitor;
- in the program folder, start the restart.exe or restart64.exe file based on the bit depth of your OS.
Then the monitor will blink and switch or will not switch to the mode you specified. If the screen does not switch, it means that it does not support the mode that you set and you can restore the standard resolution through remote control, safe mode or recovery mode.
Standard resolutions
- standard resolutions are limited to 60-123 Hz. Users should use detailed resolutions to add other refresh rates;
- they are mostly useful for CRT monitors and for adding lower resolutions with LCD monitors. It is not recommended to add the native resolution as a standard resolution;
- what concerns AMD/ATI it supports the resolutions in the drop-down list only. The driver will ignore other resolutions. Users will see them marked in gray;
- not more than 8 standard resolutions are supported by NVIDIA.
The developers created the Custom Resolution Utility program as a freeware product, but donations for the continued development are highly appreciated. Users may make donations via the developer’s main website.