How to remove Adobe Gamma - on Windows 2000/XP/Vista

When you install many Adobe programs, the Adobe gamma software also gets installed on PCs.

Deactivating Adobe gamma

You can use it to calibrate your monitor at the system level and to create an ICC profile that describes how your particular monitor reproduces colour. Any application that uses ICC profiles can use this profile.

Why turn off Adobe Gamma?

If you are going to calibrate your monitor, then it's best that only one piece of software does the job for you.

Adobe gamma is a useful bit of software that gets installed that can help you set up your monitor to look better.

Remember that adjusting a monitor by eye is at best a partial solution (see our viewing guide for more info about adjustments 'by eye')

If you are going to use any of the popular profiling packages (by ColorVision/X-Rite/Pantone for example) on a PC then they all recommend disabling Adobe Gamma

Turning off the automatic start-up of Adobe Gamma

Adobe Gamma is usually started by a short-cut in the start-up items folder. You can just delete this and the software won't get automatically started.

The installer installs the Adobe Gamma control panel (Adobe Gamma.cpl) into the Windows/System folder (Windows Me and 98) or the Program Files/Common Files/Adobe/Calibration (Windows XP and 2000), and it installs the Adobe Gamma loader application (Adobe Gamma Loader.exe) into the Program Files/Common Files/Adobe/Calibration folder. In addition, it installs a short-cut to the Adobe Gamma Loader application in the Windows/Start Menu/Programs/Startup folder (Windows Me and 98) or the Documents and Settings/All Users/Start Menu/Programs/Setup (Windows XP and 2000). As a result, the Adobe Gamma loader application appears in the Start > Programs > Startup menu and starts automatically during Windows startup.

While loading Adobe Gamma.cpl during Windows start-up, the Adobe Gamma Loader application applies settings in the Adobe Gamma.cpl file to the system and applies calibration settings for your monitor at the system level.

Windows 2000/XP

It's found at Drive/Documents & Settings/All Users/Start Menu/Programs/Start Up/Adobe Gamma Loader (alias)

The easy way to get at it is:

right-click on the Start button
go to Open or Open All Users
double-click PROGRAMS
double-click STARTUP.
Right-click on Adobe Gamma or Adobe Gamma Loader and delete.

Your profiling software will often place a new short-cut in the startup items folder that activates your new profile

Windows Vista

Any Adobe Gamma alias is in the same place as above - just delete it

Windows Me and 98

Choose Start > Settings > Taskbar and Start Menu Properties (Windows Me), or choose Start > Settings > Taskbar (Windows 98).
Click the Advanced tab (Windows Me) or the Start Menu Programs tab (Windows 98).
Click Remove in the Customize Start Menu section (Windows 98), or click Remove in the Start menu section (Windows Me).
Double-click Programs if it isn't expanded, and then double-click StartUp.
Select Adobe Gamma Loader.exe, and click Remove.
Click Yes if asked if you want to remove this item (Windows 98).
Click Close in the Remove Shortcuts/Folders dialogue box, and then Click OK in the Taskbar Properties dialogue box.

If you are curious about colour management and what it can do for you, then we have a growing collection of reviews and articles about software and hardware, and how to use it.

Colour management information on this site

General Colour Management

Adobe utility for printing profiling targets (CS5) with no colour management.
CMYK for photographers (1)
Some considerations when a client asks for images to be submitted in CMYK
CMYK for photographers (2) - Press management
An overview of colour management for when your work is destined for large scale printing.
Why don't my prints match my screen?
A short article showing why there is more to getting your prints to match your screen, than just calibrating your monitor. It's the vital first step, but you do need to consider some other factors for best results.
Why are my prints too dark?
One of the more common printing problems we get asked about. Addresses some of the steps you can take to produce more consistent prints.
Dark prints revisited - If you're having problems adjusting your monitor, Keith has some details of an experimental approach, using adjustment curve layers that may be of some help.
Choosing a working space
There are a number of popular choices for working colour space when editing images. Keith shows examples and discusses his personal choices for different applications. One size definitely does not fit all.
Room and office decoration and lighting for photo editing
Some information on what to consider when setting up a space to work on digital images and evaluate prints.
The very simple guide to 'what is colour mangement'.
Is the red in RGB the same as a London bus, or a UK Telephone box? A very short explanation of what colour management is, and why you use it.
Colour management introduction
Beware the colour management Tar Pit
Know what levels of colour management (and expense ;-) suit the needs of your work... A personal view from Keith covering some of the things it is good for, but also why you should be careful to understand why you are doing it in the first place.
Printer test images
Media settings and profiling for third party inks
Keith recently converted an Epson Stylus COLOR 1160 to third party inks. In describing the profiling of a this set-up with a third party glossy paper, he shows how that often neglected aspect of profiling -driver media settings- can make all the difference between a so-so print and one that he would be happy to send out as a sample to his commercial clients. Test images for media selection.
Adjusting your monitor 'by eye'
Not the best way, but better than nothing at all
Colour management and the web - why getting good colour on web sites is not as easy as you thought
Removing Adobe Gamma - Adobe Gamma is often installed by default on Windows PCs, this short note describes how to deactivate it.
Dual monitor profiling under Windows XP SP2 - A brief note on profiling and calibrating dual monitor systems under Windows XP SP2.
Camera Profiling for ACR with the DNG Profile Editor
Using a ColorChecker card, we've created custom camera profiles for the Ricoh GX200. Used for processing RAW camera files with Adobe Camera Raw. Applicable to any camera producing RAW files that can be opened in ACR.
Using the ColorMunki for black and white with QTR
A special version of our black and white test print for reading linearisation data for QTR
Using QTR and PrintFIX PRO for better black and white prints
By using the PrintFIX PRO to take readings from a greyscale test target, you can create luminance only icc profiles that can give a noticeable improvement to black and white print set-ups. It can even be used to improve the results from the likes of Epson's new 'advanced black and white' print settings.
Colour Management
Links to articles and sites we've found useful.
(Please do let us know if you find something useful that we've missed)

Equipment and software reviews

X-Rite (ex GretagMacbeth)

i1Profiler - scanner profiling review - The latest V1.4 update to i1Profiler adds scanner profiling, using a range of specialist targets for film and flat bed scanners. The review shows how the output of even a basic desktop scanner can be greatly improved.
ColorMunki Smile - Review of the basic level monitor profiler.
i1Photo Pro 2 - Review of the i1Pro 2 for printer profiling.
i1Basic Pro 2 - Review of the i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer kit.
Using i1Profiler to measure QTR linearising targets.
Using the i1Pro 2 for linearising B&W printing - Making use of ColorPort and QTR.
ColorMunki Display - Review of the monitor calibrator from X-Rite and an explanation of why monitor profiling is a good idea.
i1Display Pro - review of new monitor and projector calibration colorimeter.
i1 Profiler - overview and links to information and more detailed reviews of functionality.
i1 Profiler - Printer profiling (RGB)
i1 Profiler - Monitor calibration
ColorChecker Passport - test card for photography. Also allows DNG camera profiles to be built for the Adobe ACR raw converter
i1iSis OBA compensation - Optical brighteners can cause problems in profiling some papers. Article shows why, and reviews X-rite's approach to building corrected profiles for different lighting conditions with the iSis.
ColorMunki Printer profiling - A detailed review looking at the ColorMunki ICC printer profiling system from X-Rite. This expands on this particular aspect of our initial review of the ColorMunki. Covers making and optimising printer profiles, with notes on profile evaluation.
ColorMunki - an initial review of this printer/projector/monitor calibration/profiling device.
i1 Beamer - A software upgrade and hardware attachment device for using the X-rite i1 Pro spectrophotometer for digital projector profiling
i1 Display 2 - Monitor calibration and profiling device from GretagMacbeth - also allows ambient light measurement. (see also updated Pantone version)
i1 Match update - updated monitor calibration functionality
i1 LT (i1Basic) - review
Basic X-rite i1 spectrophotometer package for monitor calibration, light measurement and basic printer profiling.
i1 XTreme - review
Complete i1 profiling package, printers, cameras, projectors, scanners.
i1 Design
A Spectrophotometer and software for monitor calibration, light measurement and basic printer profiling.
Measuring ruler - update to measuring ruler for the i1 design.
i1 scanner profiling
Using the Eye One with a scan target to get better results form your film or flatbed scanner.
i1 Camera profiling with the SG colorchecker
i1 printer profiling
More advanced printer profiling with the Eye One.
i1 profile editing - The Eye One Match software from GretagMacbeth (now X-rite) now allows you to edit icc printer profiles. How easy is it to use, and what things should you consider before editing profiles.
The Eye-One iO automated scanning table - review - An automated solution to improving the quality and accuracy of target measurement for printer profiles when using the i1 (ex Eye One) spectrophotometer.
i1 iSis - advanced measuring device for printer profiling.
An automated whole chart reader for printer profiling test charts. A3 and A4 versions provide spectrophotometer readings for both UV and UV-Cut (filtered) measurements.

June 2012 - X-Rite are shipping updated i1Pro 2 with i1Profiler 1.3
Reviews: i1Pro 2 Basic - i1Pro 2 Photo

April 2010 X-Rite ship V1.0 of i1 Profiler - Full i1 Profiler reviews and information

May 2010 X-Rite annouce new profiling software for Q4 2010 - i1 Match and ProfileMaker Pro will be superseded by i1Profiler later in 2010. We have some notes and press info in the X-rite information section of the Northlight blog. For purchases after April 1st 2010 here will be free upgrades, along with other offers when the software is available.

Sept. 2008 X-Rite and the i1 range

From Sept. the range is simplified to two options. The functionality is the same as we have reviewed, but exactly what you get varies. As a result of this rationalisation, the i1Photo, i1Photo SG, i1Proof and i1XT have all been discontinued, and the i1 range now consists of:

The i1Basic - i1Pro measuring device with monitor profiling software
The new i1XTreme - professional monitor, RGB and CMYK printer, camera, scanner and projector profiling, plus profile editing

With the i1XTreme you can calibrate and profile:

Monitors - LCD, CRT and laptops
RGB output devices
CMYK output devices
Scanners
Digital projectors
Digital cameras*

Datacolor (aka ColorVision)

Spyder4TV HD - Review of Datacolor's Spyder based TV and home cinema calibration kit.
Spyder4Express - Review of basic monitor profiling and why you need it.
Spyder4Pro - Review of monitor profiling and calibration package (multiple monitor support)
Spyder4Elite - Full review of the (multiple) monitor and projector profiler from Datacolor.
SpyderCheckr - Colour test target for creating camera adjustment profiles for better colour reproduction.
Spyder3Elite V4.0 - Review of the improved and updated software for the Spyder 3 elite - Monitor and Projector calibration.
Spyder3express - review of Datacolor's basic calibration equipment and software
Spyder3Print SR - Full review of the latest printer profiling system from Datacolor. Updated spectrocolorimeter allows for strip and patch reading.
Spyder3Print - printer profiling package for creating icc printer profiles. Allows considerable optimisation of profile qualities, including black and white.
Spyder3Pro - monitor profiling with multiple monitor support and ambient light measurement.
Spyder3elite - review of the comprehensive monitor and projector profiling system with multiple monitor support and ambient light measurement.
Spyder2express - entry level monitor profiling system from ColorVision for Macs and PCs.
A review of the Spyder 2 pro monitor calibration system.
Projector profiling with the Spyder 2 Pro.
Spyder2PRO Ambient light measurement
The Spyder2PRO now allows you to measure your ambient room lighting conditions before deciding on monitor calibration settings.
PrintFIX PRO
A considerable upgrade to the PrintFIX. The new version uses a Spectrocolorimeter to let you create printer icc profiles (Not sold directly any more - you can ugrade the software for free to Spyder3 Print)
Updated PrintFIX PRO - better colour printing and B/W too...
PrintFIX PLUS The software only version of PrintFIX PRO that allows you to create icc profiles without your own patch reader.
The original PrintFIX review. Printer profiling system (not sold directly any more)

Pantone

Pantone Eye One Display LT - monitor profiling. The mid range monitor profiling solution in the trio from Pantone. The measuring device is an Eye One Display LT from GretagMacbeth, and uses the Eye One Match software.
Pantone Eye One Display 2 - monitor profiling. The measuring device is an Eye One Display 2 from GretagMacbeth, and uses the Eye One Match software. This review has additional information to that in our original GretagMacbeth Eye One Display 2 review, and compares features between the Display 2, Display LT and Huey.
Pantone Huey Pro - review
Dual monitor support and and improved set of options compared to the basic huey.
Pantone Huey - review
The Huey is a new and relatively inexpensive addition to the monitor profiling market. Keith looks at how it performs, including its novel capacity to modify your monitor setup in response to changing room lighting.

Others

Desktop Print Viewer - PDV-3e - A review of the GTI print viewer, showing why having a well defined print viewing solution helps with print evaluation and soft proofing. Good lighting is a key factor in print consistency and prints looking more like you see on your monitor.
GrafiLite
A review of the Ott Lite based print viewing lamp.
ColorEyes Display Pro
Monitor profiling software that works with a variety of measurement devices.
Kodak Professional Colour Management check up kit - review
Print Profiler - review
An i1 based print and monitor profiling system from Colour Confidence.
Print Profiler - update
An improved version of the Print Profiler package.

You can search all the hundreds of articles on the site for more information

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