Windows Server 2008 Server Core : Configuring the Command Window

Many users start the command window, see the typical command prompt, and just assume that they'll never see anything else. Since the command window is your main tool in Server Core, you should know how to configure it to meet your needs. Fortunately, you can easily configure the command window to appear as you want, at least within limits. You can access these features by clicking the box in the upper left corner and choosing Properties from the context menu. You'll see a properties dialog box with four tabs. Each of these tabs is described in the sections that follow.

1. Setting the Window Options

The Options tab shown in Figure 2.3 defines how the command window reacts when you open it. The Cursor Size option controls the size of the cursor, with small being the default. The Large option provides a block cursor that is very easy to see. The Display Options determine whether you see the command window full screen or as a window. Using the full screen mode when you have a number of tasks to perform is easier on the eyes.

Figure 1. The Options tab helps you control the appearance and behavior of the command window.

The Command History is especially important. The Buffer Size option determines the number of commands the buffer will store. Every command requires memory, so increasing this number increases the amount of memory the command prompt requires. Increase this number when you plan to perform a number of complex commands. A smaller number will save memory for larger command line applications. The Number of Buffers option controls the number of individual histories. You need one history for each process (application environment) you create. Generally, the four shown work fine.

The Edit Options determine how you interact with the command window. Check the QuickEdit Mode when you want to use the mouse to work with the entries directly. The only problem with using this feature is that it can interfere with some commands such as Edit that have a mouse interface of their own. The Insert Mode option lets you paste text into the command window without replacing the text currently there. For example, you might copy some information from a Windows application and paste it as an argument for a command.

2. Changing the Font

The Font tab shown in Figure 2 controls the font used to display text. The font size automatically changes when you resize the window, but you can also control the font size directly using this tab. The raster fonts give the typical command line font appearance that works well for most quick tasks. The Lucida Console font works better in a windowed environment. It's easier on the eyes because it's smoother, but you might find that some applications won't work well with it if they create "text graphics" using some of the extended ASCII characters. The extended ASCII characters include corners and lines that a developer can use to draw boxes and add visual detail.

3. Choosing a Window Layout

The Layout tab shown in Figure 3 has the potential to affect your use of the command window greatly when working in windowed mode. The Screen Buffer Size controls the width and height of the screen buffer, the total area used to display information. When the Window Size setting is smaller than the Screen Buffer Size, Windows provides scroll bars so you can move the window around within the buffer area and view all it contains. Some commands require a great deal of space for display purposes. Adjusting the Screen Buffer Size and Window Size can help you view all of the information these commands provide.

Figure 2. Use the Font tab to control the size of the text in the command window.

Figure 3. Change the size and positioning of the command window using the Layout tab.

The Window Position determines where Windows places the command window when you first open it. Some people prefer a specific position on the screen so they always know where a new command window will appear. However, it's generally safe to check Let System Position Window to allow Windows to place the command window on screen. Each command window will appear at a different, randomly chosen, position on screen.

4. Defining the Text Colors

Microsoft assumes that you want a black background with light gray letters for the command window. Although DOS used this setting all those years ago, many people today want a choice. The Color tab lets you choose different foreground, background, and pop-up colors for the command window (even though Figure 4 doesn't show the colors, it does present the dialog box layout). You can modify the window to use any of the 16 standard color combinations for any of the text options. Use the Select Color Values options to create custom colors.

Figure 4. Modify the text colors for an optimal display using the Colors tab.