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Registry Home > Windows > Accessories > Command Processor

Change the Command Prompt (Windows NT/2000/XP) Popular

This setting allows you to change the format of the command prompt to show additional information instead of just the current drive and path ("C:\>").

This tweak can be easily applied using WinGuides Tweak Manager.
Download a free trial now!

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create or modify a REG_EXPAND_SZ string called "PROMPT" and set it to the required prompt format including any special codes or variables below.

Special Codes

  • $A - & (Ampersand)
  • $B - | (pipe)
  • $C - ( (Left parenthesis)
  • $D - Current date
  • $E - Escape code (ASCII code 27)
  • $F - ) (Right parenthesis)
  • $G - > (greater-than sign)
  • $H - Backspace (erases previous character)
  • $L - < (less-than sign)
  • $N - Current drive
  • $P - Current drive and path
  • $Q - = (equal sign)
  • $S - (space)
  • $T - Current time
  • $V - Windows XP version number
  • $_ - Carriage return and linefeed
  • $$ - $ (dollar sign)

    Variables

  • %USERNAME% - Current Username
  • %COMPUTERNAME% - Local computer name
  • %USERDOMAIN% - Local domain name

    The default prompt is "$P$G" (e.g. "C:\>"), some alternatives include:

  • [%computername%]$S$P$G to show the computer, drive and path
  • [%username%]$S$P$G to show the current user, drive and path

    Restart or log-off Windows for the change to take effect.

    Registry Editor Example
    |NameTypeData|
    |(Default)REG_SZ(value not set)|
    |PROMPTREG_EXPAND_SZ[%username%]$S$P$G|
    -
    |HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session ...|
    -
    Registry Settings
    System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\
    Environment]
    Value Name: PROMPT
    Data Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ (Expanded String Value)
    Value Data: Prompt Text (e.g. $P$G)

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    Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

    • Last modified: January 29, 2003

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