How to Download and Install Custom Resolution Utility (CRU) on Windows

Updated

Custom Resolution Utility (CRU) is a free EDID editor from ToastyX that lets you add custom resolutions, adjust refresh rates, and change FreeSync settings on Windows. To use it, download the latest version (v1.5.3, about 533 KB) from customresolutionutility.dev, extract the archive, run the executable as administrator, edit your monitor's EDID configuration, and then restart the graphics driver (or reboot) so the changes take effect. It requires Windows Vista through Windows 11 and a working AMD, NVIDIA, or supported Intel graphics driver — the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter driver will not work.

Before You Start: Check Your System

CRU edits the display data your monitor reports to Windows, so the graphics driver must be able to apply EDID overrides.

Requirement What you need
Operating system Windows Vista to Windows 11 (Windows XP does not support EDID overrides)
Graphics card AMD/ATI or NVIDIA GPU with the correct driver installed
Intel graphics Supported with the right driver: latest drivers for newer Intel GPUs; Intel Graphics Driver for Windows [15.45] for 6th-gen (Skylake); the appropriate Haswell/Broadwell driver for 4th/5th-gen
Laptops Switchable-graphics laptops are supported when the correct drivers are installed
Not supported Microsoft Basic Display Adapter driver

If you are unsure which GPU driver you have, check Device Manager before proceeding — CRU cannot override EDID without a proper vendor driver.

Step 1: Download CRU

  1. Go to customresolutionutility.dev.
  2. On the download section, confirm the version listed is v1.5.3 (file size roughly 533 KB).
  3. Click Download Now to get the archive. Older versions are also listed on the same page if you need them for a specific setup.

The site describes CRU as safe, free, and easy to use; the download is a small utility package rather than a full installer.

Step 2: Extract and Run

  1. Extract the downloaded archive to a folder you can find again (for example, a dedicated tools folder). Keep the files together — the utility relies on its bundled components.
  2. Run the CRU executable. Because it modifies display configuration, launch it with administrator rights (right-click → Run as administrator) so the changes can be written.
  3. CRU opens showing your connected monitors and how their resolutions are currently configured. From here you can add new resolutions, remove ones you don't need, and adjust FreeSync settings.

Step 3: Make Your Changes

Use the editor to modify the active monitor's configuration:

  • Add a resolution or refresh rate you want but that Windows doesn't list.
  • Remove entries you don't use to simplify the list.
  • Adjust FreeSync settings if your display supports it.
  • Fix common issues such as flickering, incorrect screen size, or problems tied to certain graphics cards.

Work on one monitor at a time, especially in multi-monitor setups, so you can tell which change caused an effect.

Step 4: Apply the Changes

EDID overrides are not active until the graphics driver reloads the display data. After editing:

  1. Use the restart utility included with CRU to restart the graphics driver, or reboot Windows.
  2. Reopen Windows display settings and confirm the new resolution or refresh rate appears and can be selected.
  3. If the screen goes blank or shows an unsupported mode, reboot into a safe configuration and revert the change in CRU.

Common Snags

  • Changes don't appear: the driver wasn't restarted — use the restart tool or reboot.
  • Nothing works at all: you're likely on the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter driver; install the correct AMD, NVIDIA, or Intel driver first.
  • Intel laptop issues: verify you're on the driver version matching your GPU generation (see the table above).
  • HDMI connections: CRU exposes TMDS clock limit settings for HDMI, which matter when pushing higher resolutions or refresh rates over HDMI; DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapters are also handled by the tool.
  • Multi-monitor confusion: edit the correct monitor entry — CRU lists each connected display separately.

Once the new mode is selectable in Windows and displays stably, the setup is complete. Keep the extracted CRU folder so you can revert or fine-tune settings later.