Microsoft

Customize the command prompt in Windows 7

By · December 18, 2011, 4:37 PM PST · markwkaelin

Image 1 of 11

  • New Shortcut

    Despite the Microsoft Windows 7 graphical user interface, with its advanced features like Snap, Shake, and Peek, there are still plenty of good reasons to use the command prompt. If you find yourself using the command prompt for several different tasks, you may want to take a few minutes to customize it. By adjusting the font, screen size, and background color, you can make several versions of the command prompt environment, thereby associating each specific command prompt shortcut with each specific task.

    Create the shortcut
    The customization is accomplished by adjust property settings located in a Windows shortcut. The first step is to create a command prompt shortcut. There are several ways to do this, but for our purposes we'll use the direct method.

    Right-click on any blank part of the Windows 7 Desktop and navigate to the New | Shortcut menu item.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. The gallery was orginally published in October 2010. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Shortcut creation wizard

    This action will open a shortcut creation wizard.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Type the location

    Type or browse the following path in the "Type the location of the item" box as shown. Click Next when you are ready.

    C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Command 1

    The next screen asks for a unique name for your new shortcut. You can name whatever you'd like, but I am going to keep it simple and use Command 1 and then click Finish.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Shortcut Properties

    There is now a new Command 1 shortcut on the Windows Desktop. Right-click that new shortcut and navigate to the Properties menu item to get the Properties screen.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Run as administrator

    Many times you need to run a command prompt with administrative privileges. You can make your customized shortcut run as administrator every time by clicking the Advanced button under the Shortcut tab and clicking the appropriate checkbox as shown. Click OK to put it into effect.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Edit Options

    Under the Options tab, you can change the size of the command prompt cursor and change the two Edit Options checkboxes. Quick Edit mode allows you to paste text from the Windows clipboard into the command prompt without having to use the menu paste control. Insert mode, when checked, allows you to insert text at the cursor. If you unclick Insert mode, text will overwrite whatever text is there.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Change cursor size and font

    Under the Font tab of the Properties screen you can change the size of the command prompt cursor and change the font of the display.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Change screen size and position

    Under the Layout tab, you can change the size and position of the command prompt screen on the Windows Desktop.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Change colors

    Under the Colors tab of the Shortcut Properties screen you can change the color scheme this particular command prompt will use. Note, the colors chosen are for instructional purposes only.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

  • Identifiable command prompt

    Click OK when you have all of the configuration settings the way you want them. My settings are a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the idea. By using a specific combination of Properties settings you can establish a set of command prompt shortcuts, each with visible cues to help you keep track of which prompt is running and what task needs to be accomplished.

    This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

New Shortcut

Despite the Microsoft Windows 7 graphical user interface, with its advanced features like Snap, Shake, and Peek, there are still plenty of good reasons to use the command prompt. If you find yourself using the command prompt for several different tasks, you may want to take a few minutes to customize it. By adjusting the font, screen size, and background color, you can make several versions of the command prompt environment, thereby associating each specific command prompt shortcut with each specific task.

Create the shortcut
The customization is accomplished by adjust property settings located in a Windows shortcut. The first step is to create a command prompt shortcut. There are several ways to do this, but for our purposes we'll use the direct method.

Right-click on any blank part of the Windows 7 Desktop and navigate to the New | Shortcut menu item.

This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic blog post and download. The gallery was orginally published in October 2010. Image created by Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic.

Related Topics:
Microsoft Enterprise Software Software Collaboration Mobility Cloud Hardware

By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.

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