Realtek High Definition Audio Codec (Windows Vista / Windows 7 / Windows 8 32-bit)

Name: Realtek High Definition Audio Codec (Windows Vista / Windows 7 / Windows 8 32-bit)
Rating: 3.4 (140 reviews)
Author: Realtek Semiconductor

By Realtek SemiconductorFreeUser Rating

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Key Details of Realtek High Definition Audio Codec (Windows Vista / Windows 7 / Windows 8 32-bit)

Update your onboard HD sound from Realtek to the latest driver release
Last updated on 06/29/15
There have been 0 updates within the past 6 months
The current version has 0 flags on VirusTotal

Editors' Review

Download.com staffJanuary 17, 2020

Realtek's free High Definition Audio Codec pack enables stereo digital audio at resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz, as well as 5.1-channel Dolby Digital audio. Though it's essentially a package of drivers, it installs like a Windows program and may require a reboot. Realtek HD Audio Codec is available in separate downloads for 32-bit or 64-bit Windows Vista, 7, and 8 systems with Realtek controllers.

Pros

Audiophile-quality digital audio: No matter the source, you'll get super-high-quality digital audio. We streamed audio at up to 320kbs from Spotify and other sources. Even MP3s sounded better.

Dolby HT4: Dolby Home Theater 4 settings include Movie, Music, and Game modes with up to six presets, or you can turn Dolby off in the Properties dialog.

Multiple output options: We could select and configure Realtek Digital Output options for all our digital connections and output jacks, including optical, USB, and internal ATAPI.

Cons

Realtek HD controllers only: Not all motherboards use Realtek audio chips, and not all Realtek controllers are HD-compatible. Fortunately, the codecs won't install on the wrong system.

Watch the installation: There are other programs added automatically during the standard installation. Choosing the Custom installation option let us decline "extras" we didn't want.

System compatibility: While Realtek HD Audio Codec works with Realtek controllers, some motherboard implementations may not be fully compatible and require proprietary audio drivers instead.

Bottom line

If your PC has a Realtek HD audio controller, Realtek High Definition Audio Codec will help you get the most out of it. Chances are, your Realtek controller may already have this codec, courtesy of Windows Update. If it doesn't have it, get it!

What's new in version R2.79

Version R2.79 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.

Explore More

Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: June 29, 2015

Latest update: January 17, 2020

Version: R2.79

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System: Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows 10, Windows 7

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 6,931,228

Downloads Last Week: 74

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User Reviews

3.4/5

140 User Votes

cant save user defined equalizer
cc2by2October 16, 2015
Pros
sound comes out of the speakers
Cons
unable to save <user defined> equalizer setting when trying to give the equalizer setting a name in the save box, attempts to type in a name are simply blocked. rolled back to an earlier driver. cannot hear any difference, or suffer any loss of features
Summary
Excellent!!
Fred55110110April 14, 2015
Pros
Great upgraded drivers for Realtek HD audio cards. User adjustable EQ. with the standard EQ. presets for those who don't like to set thier own frequency levels. Nice HD settings for surround sound also and room adjustments for speaker arragements.
Cons
Wish I had this for all my computers.
Summary
Works great and glitch free, fully adjustable for all sound settings, and its free.
Quick and easy download, easy to use.
DeppIshmaelJanuary 20, 2015
Pros
Quick and easy download, easy to use.
Cons
Thanks a lot. it is good.
Summary
Has every useful function
CarlssonKopsDecember 29, 2014
Pros
Really easy to use even for beginner like me does what you want!
Cons
No so far !!!!
Summary
Best free utility
PitreMurpheyDecember 25, 2014
Pros
For me, it is very suitable
Cons
None that I can see.
Summary
Didn't work
leastofthese23April 19, 2014
Pros
No Pros. Didn't work at all, just wasted my time.
Cons
Didn't work. Installed ad-ware. Waste of time.
Summary
Thank you SO much for the useless spam!
ZathyrraFebruary 17, 2014
Pros
Nothing at all.
Cons
Even after a System Restore, my computer is full of crud that messes up my Chrome settings. You guys ROCK! Not.
Summary
Only installs a bunch of spyware and viruses
ladyluxeJanuary 3, 2014
Pros
Absolutely none.
Cons
My computer is full of spyware and viruses.
Summary
Whoever said this installs small apps is right. I thought CNET was supposed to be legit but apparently they're not. I downloaded this to fix a sound issue. When it was done installing all I got was some weird spyware program called mobi that had nothing to do with the codec. And when I went to finish the installation for the codec it said there WAS no codec. Ridiculous. Do NOT download this!
Quit smuggling bunch of small-time apps.
doonnooJuly 12, 2013
Pros
Dunno, didn't install cuz of the small apps.
Cons
Ok, if you're giving me install of realtek HD audio codec just give me that, quit making me install bunch of stuff like "Backup My PC", "WebCake" etc.. wtf are these ? i didn't ask for these, and i didn't even have the option to not install these. So this is clean cut app smuggling. QUIT THIS BULLSHIT CNET. I had to connect with my gmail to rant about this bs.
Summary
Works Great For Me
Fred55110110June 5, 2013
Pros
Best driver for this system yet. Restores all E.Q. functions and gets rid of the sometimes annoying clicks and mis-ques when using the Loudness E.Q. with the old driver had. Works great and very smoothe.
Cons
None that I've run into.
Summary
Works well and very smooth, no problem downloading and no problem installing, just make sure your installing the right driver for the right sound card.

Developer's Description

By Realtek Semiconductor

Update your onboard HD sound from Realtek to the latest driver release.

Realtek HD audio driver package. The package includes: driver setup program, drivers for Windows Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 32-bit.

Realtek High Definition Audio Codec (Windows Vista / Windows 7 / Windows 8 32-bit)

Key Details of Realtek High Definition Audio Codec (Windows Vista / Windows 7 / Windows 8 32-bit)

Editors' Review

Pros

Cons

Bottom line

What's new in version R2.79

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User Reviews

cant save user defined equalizer

Excellent!!

Quick and easy download, easy to use.

Has every useful function

Best free utility

Didn't work

Thank you SO much for the useless spam!

Only installs a bunch of spyware and viruses

Quit smuggling bunch of small-time apps.

Works Great For Me

Developer's Description