ICC Profile Installation
ICC profiles are binary files, and are opened automatically by Photoshop, the operating system, printer drivers, and similar files. Profiles need to be installed in the correct location on your computer for them to be available to image editing and other applications. These locations are:
Mac OS X:
- Storing profiles in /Library/ColorSync/Profiles allows all users to use them. An alternative area, for users without Admin privileges, is /Users/<username>/Library/ColorSync/Profiles — any profiles stored here are available only to the current user. The ColorSync Utility gives access to the details of individual profiles, shows gamut plots, can rename profiles, validates profile structure, among other useful tasks.
Windows Vista and XP:
- \Windows\system32\spool\drivers\color
- Microsoft has a Control Panel Applet that emulates some of the functionality of Apple's ColorSync utility. It allows easy installation and removal of profiles, editing of internal and external names, viewing 3-D gamut plots, comparing two different profiles, and much more.
- If you do not use the Color Applet, the easiest way to install a profile in Windows XP is to right click on the profile in Windows Explorer and select "install profile". Windows copies the profile to the correct directory automatically.
- Important note: If you are replacing a profile in Windows XP, the above shortcut does not work. The profiles must be manually copied to the correct directory for the original profile to be replaced.
Mac OS 9.x:
- System Folder:ColorSync Profiles
- Mac OS 9.x users who have difficulty loading profiles in Photoshop, please read this note.
Windows 2000 and NT:
- \Winnt\system32\spool\drivers\color
- See above note on installing profiles in Windows XP. The same technique works in Windows 2000.
Windows ME and 98:
- \Windows\System\Color
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