System Add (restore) Display Color Profile in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add (restore) a color profile for a display for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

A color profile is file containing information about how a monitor will display accurate and consistent colors. They map the device's capabilities and adjust how the colors are rendered on the screen. Without a proper color profile, colors may appear oversaturated, dull, or inaccurate, leading to a mismatch between what’s displayed and the intended output.

Usually, the color profiles ("ICM" or "ICC" files) available for your monitor come in the driver package or the installation disc. You can also download color profile files (if available) from the monitor manufacturer's website.

You can improve the color on your display by using the built-in Display Color Calibration tool to make sure that colors appear accurately on your display. Calibrating a display will create a new color profile for the display where the calibration tool is located. These color profiles are saved as a .icc file.

You can export color profile .icc or .icm files to save them where you want as a backup. You can add these color profile .icc or .icm files to restore them, and have available to set as a default profile.

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

References:

This option is only available in Windows 11.

1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Display on the right side. (see screenshot below)



3 Click/tap on Color profile. (see screenshot below)


4 If you have multiple displays connected to your PC, select the display you want to remove a color profile for in the drop menu at the top. (see screenshot below)


5 Click/tap on the Add profile button, and click/on Add a SDR Profile or Add a HDR profile in the drop menu for which type you want. (see screenshot below)


6 Navigate to and select the color profile .icc or .icm file you want to add for this display, and click/tap on Open. (see screenshot below)


7 The color profile will now be added for this display to have available to Set profile as default. (see screenshot below)


8 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.





1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Color Management (colorcpl.exe) icon.

2 Click/tap on the Devices tab in Color Management. (see screenshot below step 5)

3 If you have multiple displays connected to your PC, select the display you want to change the color profile for in the Device drop menu at the top. (see screenshot below step 5)

4 Check Use my settings for this device. (see screenshot below step 5)

5 Click/tap on the Add button. (see screenshot below)


6 Perform the available steps below: (see screenshots below)

• If the color profile you want to add is already listed, then select the color profile, check or uncheck (default) Add as HDR Profile for what you want, and click/tap on OK.
• If the color profile you want to add is not already listed, then check or uncheck (default) Add as HDR Profile for what you want, click/tap on Browse, navigate to and select the color profile .icc or .icm file you want to add for this display, and click/tap on Add.

7 The color profile will now be added for this display to have available to Set as Default Profile. (see screenshot below step 8)

8 Click/tap on Close when finished. (see screenshot below)



That's it,
Shawn Brink