How to Export or Backup a Color Profile in Windows 11

This guide shows you how to export or back up a color profile in Windows 11, so you can save your calibrated display settings, transfer them to another computer, or restore them after a system reset. You’ll need access to the Color Management settings, which is built into Windows, and a destination folder to save the .icc or .icm file.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 11 PC with the color profile you want to export already installed (usually from a monitor driver or calibration tool).
• Administrator rights (you may need them to install or remove profiles, but exporting typically works without).
• A folder where you want to save the backup, such as a USB drive or cloud storage folder.

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Start menu, type Color Management, and click the top result to open the Color Management control panel.
2. In the Device tab, select your display from the Device dropdown menu. If you have multiple monitors, choose the one whose profile you want to export.
3. Check the box Use my settings for this device to enable the profile list. (If it’s already checked, skip to the next step.)
4. In the list of profiles associated with that device, click the profile you want to export to highlight it. The list shows the profile name and its description.
5. Click the Export button. This opens a standard Save dialog.
6. Navigate to the folder where you want to save the backup. Give the file a recognizable name (e.g., MyDisplay_Profile). The file will be saved with an .icc or .icm extension, depending on the profile.
7. Click Save. The profile is now exported as a single file you can copy or share.
8. To verify the backup, right-click the saved file and choose Install profile on another Windows 11 PC, or simply keep the file as a backup.

Common Mistakes

• Exporting the wrong profile: If you have multiple profiles, you might accidentally export the wrong one. Double-check the name and description in the list before clicking Export.
• Not checking “Use my settings for this device”: The profile list may be grayed out until you check this box. If you skip it, you won’t be able to select a profile.
• Saving to a temporary location: If you save to the Downloads folder and later clean it, you’ll lose the backup. Use a dedicated backup folder or external drive.
• Confusing .icc and .icm: Both are valid color profile formats. Windows uses them interchangeably, so don’t worry about the extension.

Tips

• After calibrating your monitor with a hardware calibrator, export the profile immediately and keep it with your calibration records.
• If you’re backing up multiple profiles, create a folder named ColorProfiles and include a text file noting which profile belongs to which monitor.
• You can also export a profile from the All Profiles tab in Color Management. Select the profile, then click Export.
• For a system-wide backup, you can copy the entire C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers\color folder to another location. This contains all installed profiles.
• When reinstalling Windows, export your profiles before resetting, and reinstall them afterward using the Add button in Color Management.

Troubleshooting

Export button is grayed out: This happens when no profile is selected. Click a profile in the list, or check “Use my settings for this device” first.

No profiles listed for my monitor: Your display might be using the default sRGB profile that isn’t shown. Try clicking Add to see the full list of installed profiles, or check the All Profiles tab.

Cannot save the file to a certain folder: Windows may block saving to protected folders like Program Files. Choose a user folder like Documents or Desktop.

After exporting, the file won’t install on another PC: Make sure the file has the .icc or .icm extension. If it’s corrupted, try exporting again. Also ensure the target PC is running Windows 10 or 11.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a color profile?
A: A color profile is a file that defines how a device (like a monitor) reproduces color. It contains a lookup table that maps device colors to a standard color space, ensuring consistent color across devices.

Q: Can I export a color profile without administrator rights?
A: Yes, exporting a profile is just copying a file, so it typically doesn’t require admin rights. Installing a profile may require admin rights on some systems.

Q: How do I restore a color profile from a backup?
A: In Color Management, go to the All Profiles tab, click Add, browse to the .icc/.icm file, and select it. Then assign it to your display under the Device tab.

Q: What’s the difference between .icc and .icm files?
A: None functionally. Both are ICC color profile formats. Windows uses .icm for some legacy profiles, but they work the same way.

Q: Can I export a profile from the Windows Settings app?
A: No, the Settings app only shows basic display options. You must use the classic Color Management control panel, which you can open by searching for “Color Management” in the Start menu.

Q: Will exporting a profile also back up my calibration settings?
A: Yes, the profile contains the calibration LUT (look-up table) generated by your calibration software. However, some advanced settings like 3D LUTs may be stored separately by third-party tools.

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