ColorConsole: Portable App to Customize Your Windows Console

Enhancing the Windows Console with ColorConsole

Previously, an alternative console client for Windows, known as Console, was discussed. This sparked considerable conversation among readers. Consequently, another intriguing console client, ColorConsole, is being presented – a lightweight, portable, and freely available application.

Similarities and Added Features

Like Console, ColorConsole aims to improve the appearance of the standard Windows CMD window by introducing vibrant colors and zoom functionality. However, it also incorporates several unique features.

Consider the overall window layout:

The menu may appear somewhat compressed, but this is due to the window size being reduced for the screenshot. The presence of HTML and RTF buttons is noteworthy, as demonstrated by the following:

The displayed output is identical in terms of colors and fonts, but is now rendered within a Chrome browser. ColorConsole effectively translates the entire window content into HTML, preserving all visual elements.

Exporting Console Sessions

This HTML file can be saved, shared online, or emailed, allowing others to view the exact console output as it appeared on your screen. While single-screen outputs can be easily copied and pasted, the HTML/RTF export feature generates a complete session dump.

This is particularly useful for sharing detailed logs containing numerous commands in a highly readable format.

Customization with Themes

The default theme may not appeal to everyone. Fortunately, ColorConsole provides a selection of alternative themes:

The theme names are often dramatic ("Blood-Matrix") and occasionally contain minor errors ("Withe" and "Perl"). However, they are generally descriptive. Currently, creating custom themes is not supported.

Multilingual Interface

The application was initially developed in German. Users proficient in German may find the interface text to be of higher quality. However, the interface is available in multiple languages:

Integrated Web Search

The “I-NET ?” button introduces a unique feature not commonly found in other consoles. It allows users to search any highlighted text using a web search engine. This is helpful for quickly looking up unfamiliar commands or output.

While the intention may be to Google the selected command, the feature unexpectedly directs users to a different search engine:

Although a "Google" button exists, the functionality appears primarily geared towards German-speaking users. A configuration option to select the preferred search engine would enhance its versatility.

Command Reference

For those unfamiliar with the command line, the Commands menu can be a valuable resource:

It initially includes a list of common commands. Users can customize this list by adding their own frequently used commands, including specific command-line switches and options. This serves as a convenient quick reference for complex or rarely used commands.

Concluding Remarks

ColorConsole distinguishes itself through its small size – a mere 200KB – alongside its portability and cost-free availability. While the English language version could benefit from refinement, and the inclusion of further customization options would be advantageous, it remains a noteworthy endeavor.

It has the potential to become a useful supplement to a command-line interface. The HTML and RTF export functionalities, in particular, make it a tool I anticipate utilizing from time to time.