Get The Realtek Equalizer Back In Windows 7/Vista

By Willem Nuijen on Nov 16 2009 33 Comments

Officially, since Windows Vista and 7, Realtek stopped supporting a multi-band equalizer for it’s HD Audio chips(present on many motherboards and in notebooks). All that is left are a couple of extreme presets (Pop, Classic, Rock etc.) and the environment presets that are useful to no-one (except for fun). However, together with some people on Tom’s Hardware forums, we came to a solution. Here it goes, it’s as easy as one-two…

Edit: according to user dimar on Tom’s Hardware forums, from R2.41 of the driver, the option to change to a graphic equalizer has returned. Looks like Realtek finally listened to its users.

  1. Download the AC’97 Audio Codecs from the Realtek website for Windows 7 (choose the ZIP-file)
  2. Extract ONLY rtlcpl.exe from the directory for your system (“Vista” for 32-bit Vista/7, “Vista64″ for 64-bit Vista/7)
    I don’t think it will matter which one you pick actually, both are 32-bit programs, both work, but they’re not the same files

If you want to save the settings for later installations, the Equalizer presets are saved in the registry under the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Avance\AC97 Audio\EQ

realtekeq-01-equalizer

I want to remind you that this is not officially supported by Realtek, who state that they dropped multi-band equalizer support since Vista altogether. Hence, even though it seems to work perfectly fine for some, you might expect some unforeseen problems.

Download Realtek AC’97 Audio Codecs

Tom’s Hardware forum topic

  • A shame for Realtek

    Thank you, this really works!

    • tom sheridan

      ALL THESE PEOPLE SAY “GREAT AUDIO SOFTWARE” , “WORKS GREAT”! ETC. YOU HAVE LIE-ARRHEA!

  • A shame for Realtek

    Thank you, this really works!

  • A shame for Realtek

    Thank you, this really works!

  • Jacob

    where do you extract the rtlcpl.exe to?

  • Jacob

    Ok, i change the equalizer values but they do nothing to my actual sound.. no matter what values even presets. my sound isn't affected by it

  • aurvangir

    Nice! it works fine Thanks!

  • Cody

    It wont let me add audio codec, controller, or driver version and i cannot continue on to edit the equalizer

  • bagglie

    I have the shell but no graphic??

  • Chuckie

    Used to work they updated the driver. No workie no more. Tom if you read this and you have a fix let me know please I’d really like some info.

  • Technamagacian

    Doesn’t seem to work anymore. I extracted rtlcpl.exe only and copied it to the realtek folder in program files. It just gives me a blue panel with no equalizer nor any other options. Any one got any better ideas?

  • Alexandre

    Thank you, man! I’ve been looking for a realtime EQ with no success. Tried SRS to make custom adjustments, but it sucks.
    Your solution is simple e flawless. No issues at all.
    What I did?
    Uninstalled Realtek HD Audio Drivers, to remove the control panel and other things that are no longer necessary.
    Did a manual driver installation with the native device manager, to get minimal realtek software installed. After that, you can also disable any “.exe” related to the audio device (msconfig).
    I just put the rtlcpl.exe (AC97) into Realtek’s HD folder, created a shortcut for it and pinned it to the task bar.
    The best of all, no more panels and icons loading with Windows startup. The Realtek HD drivers memorize every custom set of EQ you make with the AC97 panel and keeps it even after a reboot. Amazing! So, just click at pinned shortcut if you want to tune your 10-band graphic equalization.

    Thank you very much!

  • lomex

    Oh Thank you sooo much. Searched half the internet found nothing but this works.
    The Control Panel that Windows 7 installs automatically for gigabyte onboard realteks or which i can download as “hd audio software” from realtek has no real equalizer, but the one in the ac97 zips works out of the box.

  • Dale

    Before i install the AC’97 Audio Codecs…….do i have to uninstall my previous realtek drivers?

  • dessie g

    finally got bk the realteck eq after 6 months spent many hours searching for
    an additonal eq but had no joy, not as good as the old one but im greatful to
    have this eq as my sound quality was been pretty dull without it many thanks

  • Tom

    it doesnt work :( i have R2.49 now
    whitch driver i have to use ? R2.41 ???!!! or it doesnt matter whitch one?!

  • Medhi

    This worked great. I’m furious at MS charging left and right yet DOWNGRADING the OS!!! We’ve had EQ since Win 3.1 !!!

  • Billy

    I’ve tried it and it doesn’t affect the sound at all. I slide the bars all the way up or down and no audible difference. I have very nice speakers, so that’s not the problem. Also, is there a version that goes below 100 Hz? The reason I’m looking for an equalizer is to fix the bass range of my sound system.

  • Frank

    this great! thanks!

  • Chris

    Or without doing that, you could go into Program Files, Realtek, Audio, HDA then select RtHDVCpl.

    Once inside click sound effects and then there is a small image of a graphical equalizer beside where it says Karaoke, just above rock, click it and wahoooah! It’s still there… they just hid it and updated it… lol…

    Hope this helps,
    TS

  • kleber

    very good work folks.

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  • mozi

    Is there any previous version with which the equaliser still works in Windows 7?

  • Dezt

    Excellent, this really works. :D

  • peter

    Work?!?

    brandnew netbook, and it doesn’t even get through the install field.
    MS OS loosing the simple equalizer is a downgrade indeed.

    i’m getting my old stuff back. at least that was reliable…

  • Josue

    Fantastic, worked for me. Thank you.

  • Ron

    Works great for me, thanks!

    @Chris: You must have a different version of RtHDVCpl, as there is no graphical equalizer in mine.

  • Kuli

    fantastic it works perfectly i just add the file to the directory and double clicked it to start the tuning.

  • mike66

    Thanks, this works great with my windows 7, you are a Saviour.

  • kyle

    how to download it ?

  • ray

    thanks it really works !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • keith

    this is a pain in the fargin’ arse.

  • Jaison

    Hey guys don’t fool yourselves…..!
    There is still a working quality equalizer for windows from realtek.
    1- In win7 Go to ‘Control Panel’.
    2- In the top right corner change ‘View By’ to ‘Small Icons’.
    3- Now click on ‘Sound Effect Manager’ and set the equalizer according to your taste. I’m a bass lover so I set the 1st band to +12db, next 2 bands to 0db and rest to -12db(minus12) and its awesome. Download vlc media player and do the same in its equalizer. You’ll never believe the effects.
    Any queries mail me to
    dangerjaison@gmail.com
    Try it out…………. Every realtek drivers have it.
    Thank You.

    • fefef

      yes but they won’t make the sliders available anymore for any future windows version