How to Add a Color Profile in Windows 11

What is a Color Profile?

Before we start, what is a color profile? Think of it like a set of instructions specifically for your monitor. It guides Windows on how to display colors accurately. Every screen is a bit different. Some might show too much blue, others too much red. Some might not show all colors accurately. A color profile (often a file with .icm or .icc at the end) fixes these issues. It makes sure the colors on your screen look how they should. This is important for editing photos, graphic design, or watching movies with real colors.

Where to Find Color Profile Settings

Finding the color profile settings in Windows 11 is easy. It’s in the Display settings.

• ⚙️ Open Settings: Click the ⊞ Start button, then ⚙️ click Settings. You can also press the Windows key + I keys on your keyboard.
• Go to Display: In ⚙️ the Settings window, click on System. Then, click on Display.
• Find Color Profile: Scroll down in the Display settings. You will see an option called Color profile. Click it.

This will open the Color management settings for your screen.

Adding a New Color Profile

Have a new color profile file? Perhaps it came with your monitor, or you downloaded it from a specific source. Here’s how to add it to Windows:

1. Step 1Choose Your Display

   At the top of the Color management page, you will see a box that says “Select your display”. Pick the correct monitor if you have more than one.

2. Step 2Add the Profile

   Underneath where you choose your display, you will see a list of color profiles for that screen. Look for a button that says Add profile. Click it.
   Tip: If you don’t see the “Add profile” button, look around the area where existing profiles are managed. Sometimes options are grouped together.

3. Step 3Find Your Profile File

   A new window will open. You need to find the color profile file you want to add. These files often end with .icm or .icc. Find the file, select it, and click Add or Open.
   Be cautious: Only add color profile files from sources you trust. While rare, a corrupted file could mess with your screen’s colors.

4. Step 4Set as Default (Good Idea)

   After adding the profile, it will show up in the list for your display. To make sure Windows uses this new profile, you should set it as the default. Select the profile you just added. Then, click the Set profile button below the list.

When you add a color profile, its .icc or .icm file is saved into the 📁C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\colorcopy folder.

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-display-brightness-and-color-in-windows-3f67a2f2-5c65-ceca-778b-5858fc007041

Summary

Adding a color profile in Windows 11 helps make your screen’s colors more accurate. You can find ⚙️ the settings in System > Display > Color profile. Once there, select your display, click “Add profile”, find your profile file (often ending in .icm or .icc), and then set it as the default. This simple step can greatly improve how your images and videos look.