Windows monitor calibration tools question

Question

Windows monitor calibration tools question

Anonymous

HELLO all

This one seems very simple to me but I can't find an answer anywhere:

When calibrating a computer monitor with the Windows tools, should the settings on the monitor itself be set to the factory default?

Seems to me if you use the Windows calibration tools, BUT have already made adjustments to the monitor's factory settings with its buttons etc, you're not REALLY getting an accurate calibration.

I want to make sure my photos and videos display on my monitor the way they will on other people's systems, or at least close to it.

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

1 answer

Answer 1

Dear Nells250!

Welcome to the Microsoft Community!

I read the post you posted, and your question involves an important aspect of monitor calibration. Indeed, the settings of the monitor itself and the calibration tool of Windows are two different concepts.

Monitor settings and factory defaults: Generally, it is a good idea to reset the monitor settings to factory defaults before performing Windows color calibration. This is because your monitor may already have some color presets, which will affect the effect of the Windows calibration tool. Resetting to factory settings ensures that the calibration process starts from a "clean" state. For example, a monitor I used before had a built-in color preset of P3 mode, which will also conflict with the color calibration in Windows.

Then there is another point worth noting, such as ASUS laptops and PCs have a central control software, ASUS Armoury Crate, which is also my personal experience. This software also has preset color modes. If you do not turn off this color mode, this will also affect your color calibration. You can check whether there is relevant software or configuration options in your computer.

Here are a few points you need to pay attention to:

Monitor settings and calibration files: The settings of the monitor itself (such as brightness and contrast) will not change the calibration files stored in Windows. These settings only affect the physical output of the monitor.

Windows' HDR calibration tool is indeed subject to personal subjective factors, as it is adjusted based on the user's perception of color changes.

However, if you have professional color calibration needs, here are some suggestions:

Consider using professional color calibration tools such as SpyderX, ColorMunki, or i1 Display Pro, which can provide more accurate calibration.

You can also download calibrated ICC profiles from the official website of the monitor or other professional communities (such as GitHub, Reddit). These files are generated by professional equipment calibration and can provide close to standard professional color configurations.

Manually applying these ICC profiles in Windows can quickly improve the color performance of the monitor.

If your needs are higher, you may need to use a third-party color calibration tool for more detailed adjustments. These tools usually provide detailed settings that allow users to optimize the color performance of the display according to specific usage scenarios (such as photography, design, video editing).

In short, in order to ensure that your photos and videos have consistent display effects on different systems, using professional color calibration tools and ICC profiles is the best choice. If you only need basic calibration, the tools that come with Windows can also provide a certain degree of help. Remember to restore the monitor to factory settings before calibration to ensure the accuracy of the calibration.

Best regards,

Yang.Z - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Share via

Windows monitor calibration tools question

1 answer