I'm not understanding 'profiles' in dt

Config files…

Its explained here via the parameters that can control configuration options…

https://darktable-org.github.io/dtdocs/en/special-topics/program-invocation/darktable/

but the reference is Linux specific…see --configdir… for darktable and many many WIndows programs …config information is found either directly in the program’s directory or in subfolder of C:\users\username\AppData

For the DT color profile handling… a summary of the process can be shown here…

https://darktable-org.github.io/dtdocs/en/special-topics/color-management/color-spaces/

You might find this useful??

The configuration and operation files of darktable.pdf (183.9 KB)