By default, Windows will automatically assign color profiles based on your display adapter. However, the problem comes when you have multiple monitors and want to use different color profiles on different monitors. This will help you to have a uniform visual experience regardless of your monitor type. If you notice colors are not matching on your primary and secondary display devices, then here is how to install and assign custom color profiles to devices. Remember, color profiles are also applicable for printers and you can follow the same process as explained below.
Getting New Color Profile File
For installing a new color profile, you need the source file generally in .icc or .icm format. Though there are many websites offer these color profile files, it is recommended to get the file for your device from the manufacturer’s website. Some manufacturers offer a packaged file which you may need to extract and get the color profile file. Follow the below steps once you have the color profile file for your device.
Open Color Management in Windows 11
- Type “color management” in Windows Search box to find and open Color Management tool.
You can also launch Color Management of your display adapter following the below steps:
- Press “Win + I” keys to open Settings app and navigate to “System > Display” section.
- Scroll down to “Related settings” section and click “Advanced settings” option.
- Select the adapter from the list and click “Display adapter properties for Display 1” under “Display information” section. You may see your adapter name instead of Display 1.
- This will open Color Management properties of your adapter, go to “Color Management” tab and click “Color Management” button.
Installing New Color Profile in Windows 11
When the Color Management dialog box opens, go to “All Profiles” tab. Here you can view all installed color profiles for your display, printer and other relevant devices. Click the “Add” button and select your .icc or .icm color profile file.
Once installed, the new profile will be shown in the list. If you want to delete a profile, select it and click “Remove” button.
Assigning Color Profile to Device
Next step is to assign the installed color profile to a device.
- For that, go to “Devices” tab and select your display device from the list. As mentioned, you can select your monitor, printer or any other installed device that needs a color profile.
- After selecting a device, check “Use my settings for this device” option to edit the settings. If you are adding color profile for your printer, then select “Manual” option from “Profile selection” dropdown. This option will not be shown for display devices like monitors.
- Click “Add…” button to view a list of installed profiles on your system. Select the newly installed profile from the list and click on “OK” button.
- You will see the color profile is added in the list and click on “Set as Default Profile” button for making it as your default profile for the device.
You can any time remove the assigned profile from the device by clicking on “Remove…” button.
Reset Color Profiles to System Defaults
If you face any problems after assigning color profile to your device, then it is easy to reset profiles to system defaults. For that, click on “Profiles” button under “Devices” tab and select “Reset my settings to the system default” option. This will restore original Windows profiles and you should be able to view the colors like before.
Alternatively, go to “Advanced” tab where you can manually select system defaults for each setting.
From here, you can do two more things. One is to click on “Calibrate display” button to start the device calibration process. Another is to click “Change system defaults…” button to edit system default profiles.
Final Words
Changing color profile can help to fix printing and display problems and have uniform appearance on multiple display devices. Though Windows will use default setup, you can install custom profiles and edit the device assignment for your need. Remember, color profiles will not affect certain stuffs like system mode (dark or light), accent and taskbar colors. You can configure these things in Settings app separately under “Personalization > Colors” section.
