CRU Download
You do not need a setup wizard, account, license key, or heavy background service.
After download, extract the ZIP file and open the CRU folder. The main file is CRU.exe. You also get helper files like restart64.exe and reset-all.exe.
Open the download page for the latest version and file details.
What Is Custom Resolution Utility?
Custom Resolution Utility is a display configuration tool. It helps Windows detect custom resolutions and refresh rates that may not show by default.
Many users use CRU for stretched resolutions, monitor tweaking, display scaling, black bar fixes, and refresh rate testing.
You can add common custom resolutions like 1440x1080, 1568x1080, 1728x1080, 1920x1440, and 2304x1440.
CRU is useful when the normal Windows display menu or GPU panel does not give the option you need.
CRU is developed by ToastyX.
Main Features of CRU (Custom Resolution Utility)
Create Custom Resolutions
Add resolutions that Windows or your GPU software may not show by default. This helps when you need a custom resolution for a monitor, app, or game.
Add Refresh Rates
CRU lets you add refresh rates that your display can support. You can use values like 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz, or 240Hz if your monitor allows them.
Fix Scaling Issues
Some displays show black bars, blurry stretched output, or missing modes. CRU can help you test cleaner scaling options with the correct driver settings.
.webp)
Portable Utility
You do not need a normal installer to use CRU. Extract the ZIP folder, open the files, and run the main utility.
Multi-Monitor Control
CRU shows connected monitors separately, so you can choose the correct display before changing anything.
Easy Reset Option
reset-all.exe helps restore default display settings when a test value does not work. Then you can run restart64.exe again.
How to Download and Install CRU
CRU does not install like normal software. You only download, extract, and run it.
Download the ZIP File
Save the CRU ZIP package on your PC.
Extract the Folder
Right click the ZIP file and extract it using Windows Extract, WinRAR, or 7-Zip.
Open CRU.exe
Open the extracted folder and run CRU.exe. Use administrator permission if Windows asks.
Keep Reset Ready
Keep reset-all.exe inside the same folder. It helps you restore default settings if needed.
System Requirements & Driver Support
Before using Custom Resolution Utility, make sure your Windows version, GPU driver, and monitor support custom resolutions properly.
Windows Support
CRU works on Windows Vista or later, including Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows XP does not support EDID overrides.
AMD & NVIDIA GPU
AMD/ATI and NVIDIA graphics cards are supported when the correct display driver is installed. Microsoft Basic Display Adapter is not supported.
Intel GPU Support
Newer Intel GPUs work with the latest Intel graphics drivers. Older Intel GPUs may only support external displays.
Safe Mode Ready
Before testing custom timings or high refresh rates, learn how to open Windows Safe Mode. Keep reset-all.exe ready in case the screen goes blank.
Compatibility Tip: Most CRU issues are related to graphics drivers, unsupported monitors, or timing values rather than the utility itself. Always verify that your monitor supports the resolution or refresh rate you want to use.
How to Use CRU
The basic CRU setup is simple. Select your monitor, add the custom resolution, save it, and reload the display driver.
Select the Correct Monitor
If you use more than one monitor, choose the display you want to customize. Each monitor has separate resolution data.
Clear Old Entries Carefully
Some users remove old standard resolutions and unused extension blocks first. This can reduce refresh rate conflicts and scaling bugs.
Add a Detailed Resolution
Open Detailed Resolutions and click Add. Enter the resolution you want, such as 1440x1080 or 1568x1080.
Use Exact Reduced Timing
Exact Reduced is a common timing option for modern LCD and high refresh rate displays.
Set Refresh Rate Safely
Use a refresh rate your monitor supports. Do not copy random Hz values from videos or forums.
Run restart64.exe
After saving changes, run restart64.exe. Your screen may flicker for a moment while Windows reloads the driver.
After restart64.exe finishes, open Windows Display Settings, go to Advanced Display, then List All Modes. Select your new resolution and apply it. Get stretched resolution in any game for safer setup and scaling settings.
How to Set a Custom Resolution Using CRU
You can use Custom Resolution Utility to add resolutions that Windows does not show by default. This is useful for stretched resolution, gaming, scaling fixes, and monitor compatibility.
Popular Custom Resolutions
Different users prefer different resolutions. The best option depends on your monitor, GPU, game, and personal comfort.
AMD Scaling Setup
AMD users can adjust scaling from AMD Software after adding a custom resolution.
Recommended AMD settings: GPU Scaling ON, Scaling Mode Full Panel, Integer Scaling OFF, RGB 4:4:4 Full, and highest available color depth.
These settings help stretched resolutions fill the screen and reduce black bars.
NVIDIA Custom Resolution Setup
NVIDIA users can create custom resolutions from NVIDIA Control Panel, but CRU gives more advanced control over display behavior.
If a custom resolution created in NVIDIA Control Panel looks blurry or stays GPU scaled, CRU may help you create a cleaner display-scaled option depending on your monitor.
GPU Scaling vs Display Scaling
GPU Scaling
The graphics card stretches or scales the image. It is easy to use and works from GPU software, but the image may look softer.
Display Scaling
The monitor handles the scaling. Many users prefer it because text and stretched visuals can look cleaner.
Common CRU Problems
Resolution Not Showing
Check if you selected the right monitor, saved the entry, and ran restart64.exe.
Black Screen
This usually happens with unsupported refresh rates or wrong timing values. Run reset-all.exe to restore default settings.
Black Bars Still Showing
Check Full Panel scaling, GPU scaling, and the monitor aspect ratio setting. Also fix CRU Black Screen issue
OBS or Capture Tool Crashes
restart64.exe reloads the display driver, so screen recording tools may freeze for a short time.
Before Trying Another Resolution
If a custom resolution does not appear immediately, avoid making multiple changes at once. Restart the graphics driver, verify the selected monitor, and test again before creating another resolution.
Is CRU Safe?
CRU is generally safe when used carefully. It does not physically change your monitor hardware. It changes display configuration data inside Windows.
Still, you should test one setting at a time and only use refresh rates your monitor supports.
Keep reset-all.exe ready before testing new values. If something breaks, reset the settings and reload the driver.
FAQs
No. CRU is portable. Extract the ZIP file and run CRU.exe.
restart64.exe reloads the graphics driver so new display settings can appear without restarting Windows.
Run reset-all.exe, then run restart64.exe. This brings display settings back to default.
CRU normally does not damage hardware, but unsupported refresh rates can cause display issues. Stay within safe monitor limits.
You may have selected the wrong monitor, skipped restart64.exe, or used unsupported timing or refresh rate values.
Yes. Many users create a custom resolution Windows 10 setup with CRU. You still need a supported monitor, correct driver, and safe refresh rate.
Yes. You can use CRU download Windows 11 steps the same way: extract the folder, open CRU.exe, add the resolution, and run restart64.exe.
Sometimes. CRU laptop results depend on the internal display, GPU driver, and how the laptop handles EDID data. External monitors usually give more control.
It is more advanced than a normal screen resolution changer. It edits resolution data so Windows can show custom modes that may not appear by default.
A CRU monitor setup means choosing the correct active display inside CRU before adding or editing resolutions. This is important when more than one screen is connected.
Yes. Many users create a stretch resolution with CRU, then adjust GPU or monitor scaling so the image fills the screen correctly.
Yes. CRU refresh rate settings can be added inside detailed resolutions, but you should only use values your display supports.
Latest Compatibility
We regularly review graphics driver changes, Windows updates, and community-reported compatibility issues to keep this page accurate for current hardware.
Support and Help
If you have problems with Custom Resolution Utility, custom resolutions, refresh rates, display scaling, black bars, or monitor compatibility, the resources below may help you solve the issue quickly.
We regularly review and update our guides for Windows 10, Windows 11, AMD, NVIDIA, and Intel graphics users.
Need a previous release? Browse the old versions archive and choose the version that works best with your display setup.