Upgrade Windows 7 Command Prompt to Console

A Modern Command Line Experience for Windows 7

While Microsoft significantly modernized Windows with the release of Windows 7, the Command Prompt remained largely unchanged since its origins in the previous century.

This legacy application not only presents an outdated aesthetic but also lacks functionalities commonly found in command-line interfaces on macOS, Linux, and other contemporary operating systems.

Console: A Powerful Replacement

For Windows 7 users seeking a more advanced Command Prompt experience, Console offers a compelling solution.

Previously featured, Console is an open-source alternative designed to enhance the command-line experience, supporting not only the traditional Command Prompt but also PowerShell and other command-line environments.

It delivers a comprehensive suite of features, incorporating both practical functionality and visual enhancements.

Feature Rich: Console is equipped with a wide array of tools for efficient command-line usage.
Visually Appealing: The application boasts a modern and customizable graphical interface.
Versatile Compatibility: It seamlessly integrates with various command-line shells.

Essentially, Console provides a substantial upgrade to the default Windows Command Prompt, bringing it in line with the expectations of modern command-line users.

Tabs & Other Shells

Managing multiple command-line windows simultaneously can quickly lead to disorganization. Even with just four windows open, the screen can become cluttered and difficult to navigate.

While Linux users have long benefited from the use of tabs within their terminals, Microsoft has historically lacked this functionality in Windows, including the newer PowerShell environment. The Console application introduces tabbed support for Windows users.

Console isn’t limited to Command Prompt tabs; it extends compatibility to PowerShell, Cygwin, and virtually any other command-line environment you utilize.

Within Console’s settings, specifically the Tabs section, you can configure new tabs for each desired environment. For a PowerShell tab, the executable is typically located at C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe.

Similarly, a Cygwin tab utilizing Bash can be found at C:\cygwin\bin\bash.exe, assuming a standard installation path.

Further customization is available, allowing you to define unique startup directories for each tab. You can also specify different user permissions or adjust graphical settings on a per-tab basis.

New tabs can be opened conveniently through the menu, a toolbar button, or by utilizing a designated keyboard shortcut.

Command Prompt Customization Options

Many users are unaware that the standard Command Prompt window in Windows possesses customizable settings. These options are accessible by right-clicking the title bar and selecting Properties.

The Console host, however, provides a significantly greater degree of configuration flexibility. Unlike the Command Prompt, Console preserves its settings within a file named console.xml.

Console Settings Persistence

By default, this console.xml file is located in the same directory as the executed program. This design choice renders Console fully portable.

You can easily transfer Console's configuration by copying its associated files onto a USB drive. This allows for the application of your personalized settings on any compatible computer.

Console’s ability to store settings in an external file distinguishes it from the Command Prompt’s approach.

The Command Prompt relies on registry entries for its configurations.
Console utilizes the console.xml file, offering enhanced portability.

This difference in storage methods contributes to Console’s increased adaptability and ease of use across various systems.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Console offers configurable keyboard shortcuts, designed for users who prefer keyboard-driven workflows. These shortcuts enable swift navigation and management of tabs, proving more efficient than traditional methods like alt-tabbing.

Furthermore, an Activate Console key can be designated. This allows for quick access to Console from any application within the Windows operating system.

Enhanced Efficiency

Faster Tab Switching: Keyboard shortcuts streamline the process of moving between different Console tabs.
Convenient Access: The Activate Console key provides immediate access to the application.

The ability to customize these shortcuts caters to individual preferences, maximizing productivity. Utilizing these features can significantly improve workflow speed and convenience.

Customizing Console Appearance

The Console application offers complete transparency control. Additionally, it features a unique form of transparency, reminiscent of systems found in Linux environments.

This functionality allows the underlying desktop background to subtly show through the terminal window. In many scenarios, this approach proves more effective than standard transparency, as the terminal's backdrop remains relatively uncluttered by overlapping windows or text.

Tab-Specific Backgrounds

This effect can be activated individually for each tab within Console. Adjusting the tint color is crucial, particularly when using a bright desktop background, to ensure optimal text readability by darkening the overall appearance.

Beyond your desktop wallpaper, you have the flexibility to designate any custom image as the background. Furthermore, different tabs can even be assigned unique wallpaper images.

The ability to personalize backgrounds extends to using custom images.

Each tab can be uniquely styled with its own background image.

Text Replication in Command Prompt

Replicating text within Microsoft’s Command Prompt necessitates a right-click action, followed by selecting the Mark option, prior to highlighting the desired text using the mouse.

The method by which the console handles copying operations is entirely configurable.

Customizable Copying Behavior

By default, the system employs the Shift key in conjunction with the left mouse button to initiate the text copying process, eliminating the need for right-clicking.

Furthermore, the Copy on Select feature can be activated.

Copy on Select Functionality

When enabled, the Copy on Select option automatically transfers selected text to the clipboard immediately upon selection.

This functionality mirrors a similar capability found in Linux environments.

Maintaining Command Prompt Visibility

When working within a command line interface, it can be beneficial to ensure the window remains visible above other applications. Achieving this with the standard Windows Command Prompt typically necessitates the use of external software.

However, Console offers a straightforward solution. Users can adjust the Z Order setting, found within the Appearance settings, to keep the console window consistently on top.

Utilizing the Z Order Feature

The Z Order option within Console’s Appearance settings allows for direct control over window layering. This feature ensures the command prompt remains readily accessible, even when multiple programs are open simultaneously.

By modifying this setting, the console window will persistently stay in the foreground, enhancing workflow efficiency for command-line users.

Integrating Console with Windows Explorer

A convenient aspect of the Command Prompt is its ability to integrate with Windows Explorer. This functionality is not immediately visible, but can be accessed by holding the Shift key while right-clicking, revealing an Open Command Window Here choice.

It's possible to extend this same capability to the Windows 7 Console through a straightforward modification to the system registry.

Modifying the Windows Registry

Begin by launching a text editor, such as Notepad. Copy and paste the following code into a new text file:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Console]
@="Open Console"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Console\command]
@="C:\\Program Files\\Console2\\Console.exe"

It is crucial to update the path “C:\\Program Files\\Console2\\Console.exe” to reflect the actual location of the Console.exe program on your computer. Remember to substitute each instance of the backslash \ with two backslashes \\ in the specified path.

Furthermore, the text “Open Console” can be altered to any desired label for the context menu entry.

After pasting the code, save the file. Then, within Windows Explorer, rename the file extension from “[name].txt” to “[name].reg”.

A double-click on the newly renamed .reg file will import the settings into your Windows registry. Following this, the Open Console option will become available when you right-click within Windows Explorer.

We are interested in your feedback regarding Console. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Topics

More