Change Text & Background Color Of Windows XP Console

The Windows XP console can be started by typing the cmd into the Run box, which is also called the Run command. You can use the console to run programs or line of commands which is exactly done during the DOS days. Though this kind of method is not in use anymore but it is still important for other types of tasks that advanced users need to accomplish. When the console is opened, it has white text and black background by default and this can be changed by using the cmd command. Changing the text and background color of the console may not contribute anything other than being decorative or for visual comfort.

The Windows XP console with white text and black background colors.

Here are the steps to change text color of the Windows XP console to light green and its background color to light red.

1. Click the START button located on the bottom left corner of the screen and choose RUN option.


2. Type cmd into the "Open:" field box and click OK button to open the console.


3. Type cmd /t:ca on the console prompt and hit the ENTER key of the keyboard. The letter c stands for the light green color of the text and the letter a stands for the light red color of the background.


The following tables lists valid hexadecimal digits that you can use as values for the text and background colors.

VALUE - COLOR
0 - Black
1 - Blue
2 - Green
3 - Aqua
4 - Red
5 - Purple
6 - Yellow
7 - White
8 - Gray
9 - Light blue
A - Light green
B - Light aqua
C - Light red
D - Light purple
E - Light yellow
F - Bright white

The console now have a light green text and light red background colors. This color setting is only temporary, therefore, the console will return to its white text and black background colors the next time you open it.