Why is color management needed?

Different device types tend to possess different color characteristics and capabilities. Displays, for instance, can't show the same set of colors that a printer can reproduce. This is because of the fundamentally different processes each device uses to produce color content. Scanners and cameras have different color characteristics as well. Even different programs sometimes interpret and process colors differently. Without a consistent color management system, the same picture can look different on each of these devices. The appearance of color content also depends upon the viewing conditions (such as ambient lighting). This is because the human eye adapts differently to different conditions, even when viewing the same picture.

As a result, color management maintains the relationships within color content so that an acceptable appearance can be achieved on devices with different color capabilities and across different viewing conditions. This requires color management systems to control the relationships between the device characteristics and the viewing conditions to produce acceptable results.

Reference:

Windows Help and Support

You can also find additional information about color management at the Microsoft Image Color Management website.

What is color management?

Color management is a system used to ensure that color content is rendered to your satisfaction everywhere—including devices such as your display and your printer.

References:

Windows Help Desk

You can also find additional information about color management at the Microsoft Image Color Management website.