How to change font, layout, and color options in command line

Updated: 12/05/2021 by Computer Hope
Windows DOS command prompt window

When you open the command prompt window, it has a default size, black background color, and a white Consolas font. If you'd like to change the default settings, follow the instructions below.

Note

See the MS-DOS color command if you're looking for help on changing colors in MS-DOS using a command.

How to change font size and type

  1. Press the Windows key, type CMD, and then press Enter.
  2. Right-click the solid-colored portion at the top of the window.
  3. From the drop-down menu, select Properties.

Command Prompt menu.

  1. At the top of the window, click the Font tab.
  2. You can change the font size and type in the two sections shown in the red rectangles below.

font tab properties.

  1. When you're finished, click the OK button button.

How to change window layout

  1. Press the Windows key, type CMD, and then press Enter.
  2. Right-click the solid-colored portion at the top of the window.
  3. From the drop-down menu, select Properties.

Menu item that opens the properties window for the Command Prompt.

  1. At the top of the new window, click the Layout tab.
  2. In this window, you may change the default window size, where the CMD window opens on the screen, and then screen buffer size.

Layout tab properties.

  1. When you're finished, click the Windows 10 OK button button.

How to change font and background colors

  1. Press the Windows key, type CMD, and then press Enter.
  2. Right-click the solid-colored portion at the top of the window.
  3. From the drop-down menu, select Properties.

Command Prompt menu with Properties.

  1. At the top of the window, click the Colors tab.
  2. Under this tab, you may select either Screen Text or Screen Background, and then adjust the color settings and opacity.

Colors tab properties.

  1. When you're finished, click the Windows 10 OK button. button.