Enable More Fonts in Windows Command Prompt - Stupid Geek Tricks
Customizing Command Prompt Fonts
Have you ever observed the limited font selection within the Command Prompt properties window? It's possible to expand the available font choices through a straightforward modification to the Windows Registry. This allows for the use of alternative fonts, including a particularly clear font included with Vista and Office 2007.
Enabling Alternate Fonts
Beyond this, a number of fixed-width fonts can be activated if desired. The following details how this process functions, alongside a demonstration of an intriguing font option for the Command Prompt.
Modifying the Default Command Prompt Font To alter the font, right-click the title bar and select 'Properties' from the displayed menu. Alternatively, choosing the 'Defaults' option will apply these settings to all Command Prompt windows.
As illustrated in the screenshot, the Consolas font is enabled. This font isn't typically enabled by default, so continue reading to learn how to activate it!
Registry Modification for Font Activation
To enable additional fonts within the Command Prompt, access the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) via the Start Menu search or Run dialog. Navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Console\TrueTypeFont
Within this key, you'll find a list of currently enabled TrueType fonts in the right-hand pane. To add a new font, create a new string value named '00', and assign the font's name as its value. A system reboot is required before the newly enabled font becomes available in the Command Prompt.
The example shows Consolas being enabled by using its name as the value. This font is pre-installed on systems with Vista or Office 2007. For XP users, installing the free PowerPoint 2007 Viewer will provide access to these fonts.
Consolas remains quite readable even at smaller font sizes.
Compatible Fonts
Which Fonts Are Compatible? The Command Prompt only supports fonts that are fixed-width. Therefore, attempting to enable variable-width fonts like Comic Sans will be unsuccessful. Exploration of various font websites revealed several compatible options, such as the White Rabbit font, which offers a unique aesthetic:
To enable an additional font like this while retaining Consolas, first download and install the font (right-click and select 'Install'). Then, return to the Registry and add a new key, ensuring it has a unique name (e.g., '00' and '000', or '00', '01', '02', etc.).
With both fonts enabled, you should be able to select between them in the Font tab (remember to reboot for the changes to take effect).
However, some fonts are incompatible. Attempts to use certain fixed-width fonts resulted in an error when opening the properties window:
If this occurs, simply remove the entry from the Registry. This is a rather interesting trick; does anyone recall vfont from the DOS era?