Use MultiRes to Change Display Settings including non-standard/supported Values
Posted by: Barry Cleave in Freeware, tags: Display, Freeware, Independent Review, Pro Reviewer, Programs, Software, Utilities, Windows, Windows XP
What’s This About?
MultiRes by Entech has been around for quite a while. It allows the screen display settings to be quickly and easily changed from the system tray or from the command line. The settings provided in the system tray are for supported values* for the screen and graphics adapter however non-standard or not supported values can be set from the command line which means batch files can be written to quickly change between different settings.
* The “supported” values are presumably obtained from the combination of the graphics card and monitor settings held by the system. If appears if the system only has a default monitor that some display settings may not actually be supported by the monitor.
Why Would You Want It?
There are lots of reasons why you may want to change the screen resolution and other graphics related settings for different applications such as changing from office types applications to graphics, video, games, etc.
Another possible reason is to fit fixed sized windows onto a small display. I recently purchased a Samsung NC10 Netbook (great piece of kit which I would recommend to anyone wanting a small ultraportable solution). A small problem I experienced quite early on was that the display resolution of 1024 X 600 pixels. This meant that some of the standard software I use has fixed size “Option” screens which are deeper than 600 pixels so that some options and buttons were off the bottom of the display. I needed a solution that would allow me to quickly change the display settings to a non-standard size so that I could manage these types of windows before switching back to the standard (native) resolution. While MultiRes won’t display non-standard (supported) resolutions it would allow changing to them using the command line.
What Does It Do – The Essentials?
Summary:
- Changes Display resolutions
- Supports multi-monitor setups
- Changes other display settings e.g contrast, colour settings
- Comprehensive command line values
Pros: What’s Good?
Features & Benefits
- Freeware
- Easy to use
- Good Options
- Remembers previous settings for “Restore”
- Allows Refresh rates to be locked
- Good Documentation
Cons:What’s Not So Good?
- Only displays “supported” settings in system tray
- Installer Version only
More About What it Does in Detail:
Go to Page 2 for details and screenshots
Go to Page 3 for ProReviewer Summary
(see Page Navigation below)
Popularity: 63% [?]
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February 11th, 2009 at 8:01 am - Edit
This is very useful, I often have different viewing needs when browsing the web and using softwares that do not fit right in the window and then they are not very usable. Thanks!
February 13th, 2009 at 1:34 am - Edit
This can be useful as a quick and easy changer on older/smaller systems or those with integrated graphics
Most of my systems have an independent graphics card so I prefer to use the Nvidia or ATI (depending on your graphics card) driver/control panel application – it’s usually just a right click of the icon in the system tray for fast switching
February 13th, 2009 at 12:04 pm - Edit
I agree,
There are always reasons why you want different viewing capabilities, so this is very useful!
Andy
February 27th, 2009 at 4:34 pm - Edit
That would be a useful tool to see how my sites look at different resolutions, As it’s freeware, I’ll give it a try
March 17th, 2009 at 10:05 am - Edit
It seems to me that this is a very useful tool, I was just looking for something similar, because I need to change the permission to work on various applications.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:24 am - Edit
I use it and it is very usefull,
i recommand !
Regard,
Chad
March 24th, 2009 at 12:31 pm - Edit
MultiRes is a great program, it can be made even better by converting it to a portable app. It can easily be converted with the Universal Extractor program. Download the Universal Extractor program and extract the program executable from the installer. Presto, instant portable MultiRes.
BTW, love the site, great tips.
April 9th, 2009 at 9:38 am - Edit
I’ve never changed screen resolution is because it is hard for me but after reading your advice, I think that I will be able to do so.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:59 pm - Edit
multires sounds like a really cool program, i have dual monitors and have problems when playing games and such, thanks for the tip.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:50 pm - Edit
I’ve been pulling my hair out trying to figure this out via XP. Words can’t express my gratitude!
May 4th, 2009 at 11:47 am - Edit
Wow Nice info
May 7th, 2009 at 4:46 am - Edit
It’s an useful tool indeed,I have used it for a long time.
btw:It also works under Win 7
May 8th, 2009 at 5:50 am - Edit
I’ve used MultiRes before. It is especially helpful when you hookup an HDTV to your computer and need to display some odd resolutions. I love that it sits in the taskbar waiting for directions from the user.
May 8th, 2009 at 2:31 pm - Edit
Viking:
Thanks,it does work in windows 7,I have tested it.
May 18th, 2009 at 10:38 am - Edit
preparing an article on this right now actually. good to come across your post
May 29th, 2009 at 11:42 am - Edit
Changing resolution has been a hassle – esp when wanting to play some of the older games.
June 12th, 2009 at 5:59 am - Edit
Interesting post, it helps me in my research, thanks!
Most of my systems have an independent graphics card so I prefer to use the Nvidia or ATI
June 13th, 2009 at 7:45 am - Edit
Pretty effective method to change your display settings. Always an enjoyable process to learn about such kind of tools.
June 19th, 2009 at 7:38 am - Edit
I use program PowerStrip. It paid, but has more options and functions.
About program MultiRes I didn`t know earlier.
June 20th, 2009 at 8:07 am - Edit
As I know about MultiRes, they were also one of the best tools I have installed here in my computer, which the editing and changing of display settings were much convenient than relying to the main settings on my computer.
This is where professionalism of making every gadget much faster than before.
June 21st, 2009 at 7:55 am - Edit
first thanks for the great article . seconds i think that this really a very helpful tool for graphic design and will be in used widly
June 21st, 2009 at 9:41 am - Edit
Thanks for the great review. There is definitely a need for this product specially for people who like to play older games like Age of Empires I and II or first person shooter games. Current monitors have 1280 and higher standard resolutions so playing older games won’t work unless you have a resolution switcher/display setting software tool.
June 23rd, 2009 at 3:08 pm - Edit
Most of my systems have a separate graphics card, so you prefer to use Nvidia or ATI (depending on the graphics card), driver / control panel of the application – is usually only one right-click the icon on the system tray fast switching
July 5th, 2009 at 9:03 am - Edit
I found Powerstrip to be a much more powerful and capable software for adjusting display settings on the go. Lots of features and a power packed app. The only drawback of it being its paid. So Multires is a nice tool for those who want to settle with free software for handling display.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:41 pm - Edit
i needed a solution that would allow me to quickly change the display settings to a non-standard size so that I could manage these types of windows before switching back to the standard resolution.
July 9th, 2009 at 9:33 pm - Edit
Really interesting topic! You really helped me to understand how to change resolutions in an easy way.
July 11th, 2009 at 5:35 pm - Edit
This device looks good. Thanks for posting. I hope it works well in vista.
July 19th, 2009 at 6:38 am - Edit
Thanks ever so much, very usefull article.
July 21st, 2009 at 9:45 pm - Edit
Changing my screen resolution has always been quite messy for me and I usually ended up doing more mess than good. Now, after reading this post it will be really easy! Thanks!
July 28th, 2009 at 10:47 am - Edit
Nice Post – It’s a great application to change the screen resolution and other graphics related settings.
July 28th, 2009 at 10:53 am - Edit
This tool is really very useful .I am happy to know about to screen display settings to be quickly and easily changed.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:24 pm - Edit
Thanks!!! I’ve always had problems when trying to change the screen resolution. NOw it’s all a piece of cake! Thanks!
August 30th, 2009 at 10:56 pm - Edit
I think its really a very helpful tool for graphic design.
September 1st, 2009 at 7:53 am - Edit
Sometimes the colors do not seem monitored in accordance with the printout. What do you think, if you’ve been there?
September 6th, 2009 at 4:56 pm - Edit
the function is great, but when i test it on my vista OS, it occur an error…
September 7th, 2009 at 5:59 am - Edit
MultiRes is a great program, it can be made even better by converting it to a portable app. It can easily be converted with the Universal Extractor program. Download the Universal Extractor program and extract the program executable from the installer. Presto, instant portable MultiRes.
BTW, love the site, great tips.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:34 am - Edit
This works great for when I want to pop open my favorite game after a quick surfing of the internet. I like to have my resolution at different settings for different things because I have an oddly shaped monitor. Lol.
October 13th, 2009 at 1:59 am - Edit
MultiRes seems promising. I am looking forward to using it. Is it easy to implement? Thanks.
October 15th, 2009 at 11:22 am - Edit
Excellent Post, i have found this post Url from my Newswine account recent news options,just subscribed your feed, hope you will update new post soon.
keep it up.
Jenni.
October 15th, 2009 at 3:31 pm - Edit
I use different size screens all day long so this is a tool I’m interested in trying. Thnaks for the heads up.
October 16th, 2009 at 1:31 am - Edit
Great idea. There are many types of hardware that use display, and they all have different needs. This may be the way to handle apps for different devices. Will need to check it out further to see how it works.
October 21st, 2009 at 7:44 am - Edit
MultiRes has been selected by the alt.comp.freeware newsgroup for inclusion in the 2004 list of “Pricelessware: The best of the best in Windows© Freeware” – for the third year in a row.
I’m not sure its deserving, but it certainly is flattering to be included with the likes of Ad-aware and WinAmp…
October 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 pm - Edit
This is really handy when you want to change the screen resolution and other graphics related settings for different applications such as changing from office types applications to graphics, video, games, etc.
October 26th, 2009 at 8:54 pm - Edit
Is MultiRes easy to implement and manage? What are the other things it can offer?
.-= green superfood´s last blog ..Asking Someone Out Wouldn’t Kill You =-.
October 30th, 2009 at 9:48 am - Edit
I agree,
There are always reasons why you want different viewing capabilities, so this is very useful! thanks for share
November 8th, 2009 at 2:21 pm - Edit
Multires is awesome, I’ve been using it for a while myself
November 9th, 2009 at 12:37 am - Edit
Re: There are lots of reasons why you may want to change the screen resolution and other graphics related settings for different applications such as changing from office types applications to graphics, video, games
I agree with you and I like to set up 2-3 monitors, so I think this will be useful for me.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:12 am - Edit
Been using this utility for a while now.
Would def recommend.
November 18th, 2009 at 3:01 am - Edit
Wonderful and nice info..thanks to webmaster shared it
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:32 am - Edit
I like to have my resolution at different settings for different things because I have an oddly shaped monitor.
January 18th, 2010 at 4:47 pm - Edit
I think that time has proven that this author was right on at the time of writing.
January 21st, 2010 at 7:27 pm - Edit
Worked like a charm for my laptop..thanks a lot for the review
.-= red cross cna training´s last blog ..How to identify good CNA Classes =-.
January 27th, 2010 at 2:41 pm - Edit
That will be a great tool for my pc. But I’m saving money. I want to buy something that would waste my money. Do you have a price how much it is?
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:36 am - Edit
I tried this but for some reason the screen stalled, got stuck. any ideas?
February 8th, 2010 at 7:56 am - Edit
@Charity
I suggest that the best thing to do is report your problems to the developer.
Regards
Barry