Windows Command Prompt is a powerful utility that offers a simple yet effective way to interact with your system and the applications. That said, when it comes to aesthetics, Command Prompt isn't exactly pleasing on the eyes.

Even during the recent Windows design refresh, Microsoft has kept CMD virtually untouched. Despite that, you can tweak a few key aspects of the command processor, including the font, layout, and colors, to give it a personal touch. And doing so is relatively easy as well.

How to Customize the Command Prompt in Windows 10

command prompt properties

All the customization options for the Command Prompt are available in the Properties section. To do this, launch Command Prompt, right-click on the top bar and select Default or Properties.

  • Changes made via the Default mode will not affect the current session. However, it will apply to all the new CMD sessions, irrespective of the Command Prompt shortcut you use.
  • Changes made via the Properties' mode will affect the current session and CMD shortcut's properties you customize.

How to Change the Command Prompt Font's Size and Type

change command prompt font size type

If you prefer bold and bigger fonts for your Command Prompt, you can change the font type and size for the tool.

To change CMD Font Type and Size:

  1. Open the Font tab in the Properties window.
  2. Under the Size section, select the font size you want to set as default. You can trim it down to five pixels and go as large as 72 pixels.
  3. Next, select the font type you want to set for CMD. Microsoft recommends using a True Type font on a High DPI display for better visibility.
  4. You can see the selected font and size in the preview window.
  5. Click OK to save the changes.

How to Change the Command Prompt Layout in Windows

change command prompt window position layout

If you don’t like the default CMD window position or the screen buffer size, you can change it from the Layout tab.

  1. In the CMD Properties window, open the Layout tab.
  2. In the Screen Buffer Size section, change the value to specify how much content you can view. Leave it as default if you are unsure of what it does.
  3. Next, under the Window Size section, you can make the CMD console large or smaller.
  4. Under the Window Position section, you can specify the window's start position by changing the Left and Top values.
  5. Check the Let system position window box to let Windows decide the best start position.
  6. Click OK to save the changes.

Related:: The Best Tools to Tweak and Customize Windows 10

How to Change the Command Prompt's Background and Text Color

change command prompt text background color

You can also customize the Command Prompt's background and text color, whether you want to make it more readable or just look nice.

  1. In the Colors tab, select the value you want to change.
  2. You can customize the Screen Text, Screen Background, Popup Text, and Popup Backgrounds.
  3. Next, click on one of the predefined color elements to select the color. Change the selected color value to set your RGB color combination. If you want to set a specific color or shade that is not available in the Colors tab, use an online color picker tool to find the exact Red, Green, and Blue values and make the changes accordingly.
  4. Click OK to apply the changes.

How to Customize the Background Color Using Command Prompt Commands

change command prompt color using cmd

You can use the color command to change the Command Prompt background and text color on the go without changing the default settings. Here's how to do it.

  1. Open the Command Prompt and type the following command to get the available color attributes:
            color /?
        
  2. Color attributes are specified by two hex digits — the first corresponds to the background; the second is the foreground. You can choose any color from the specified value as long as the background and text colors are different.
  3. For example, if you want to set a black background with blue text, enter the following command:
            color 01
        
  4. To restore the default color scheme, enter the following command:
            color
        

How to Make the Command Prompt Window Transparent

make command prompt window transparent

If you are tired of the default blank look of the Command Prompt, you can make it transparent. This would not only allow you to maximize your screen space but add a rich background from your desktop or apps.

To make Command Prompt transparent:

  1. Right-click on the top bar of Command Prompt and select Properties.
  2. In the Properties window, open the Colors tab.
  3. At the bottom, drag the Opacity slider to adjust the transparency. Feel free to experiment with the slider to achieve the best look.
  4. Click OK to save the changes.

Additionally, you can use the keyboard shortcuts to change the transparency settings. With the Command Prompt window open, press and hold Ctrl + Shift + Mouse Wheel Up/Down to change the transparency level. Useful if you want to change transparency settings for the active sessions only.

How to Customize the Command Prompt Using Terminal Settings

customize command prompt settings terminal settings

The Windows 10 May 2019 update added new experimental console features, which included a Terminal tab. This allows you to customize and change cursor shape, color, and more for the terminal.

To customize the terminal settings:

  1. Open the Terminal tab in the Command Prompt’s Properties window.
  2. Next, in the Terminal Colors section, select the options you want to change. Experiment with the Red, Green, and Blue color settings to choose the RGB color for the Separate Background and Separate Foreground.
  3. You can also change the cursor type to Underscore, Vertical Bar, Empty Box, or Legacy Style.
  4. Under the Cursor Colors section, select Inverse Color to automatically set an inverted color of the cursor based on the background color. If not, select Use color and change the RGB color values to set your color combination.
  5. To turn off infinite scrolling, check the Disable Scroll-Forward option in the Terminal Scrolling section.
  6. Click OK to save the changes.

How to Customize Command History and Edit Options in Command Prompt

customize command history edit options command prompt

If you want to dig deeper, you can customize other sets of Command Prompt properties using the Options tab. It comprises options to change the cursor size, and Command History to increase or decrease the buffer size and the number of buffers.

In the Edit Options section, you can enable or disable the QuickEdit Mode, Insert Mode, Ctrl key shortcuts, filter clipboard contents on paste, and use Ctrl + Shift + C/V as Copy/Paste.

Under the Text Selection section, you can enable line wrapping selection and extended text selection keys.

Customizing the Command Prompt to Match Your Style

Whether you want to change the default boring black background and white text, or you want to make the CMD window transparent to add a vibrant background, these settings will help you give Command Prompt the makeover it deserves.