Microsoft Is Updating the Windows Console Colors For the First Time In 20 Years (theverge.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Verge: Microsoft is giving its Windows Console (Command Prompt) a color overhaul. Windows 10 testers will be able to try out the new color scheme in a new build (16257) that will available later today. Windows Console's legacy blue is getting a subtle change to make it more legible on modern high-contrast displays, alongside color changes to the entire scheme. Windows 10 testers will only see the new colors if they clean install build 16257, and if you upgrade you'll keep the legacy colors to ensure any custom color settings are not replaced. Microsoft is planning to release a tool soon that will allow Windows 10 testers to apply the new color scheme and a selection of alternatives. Developers, you can thank Microsoft summer intern Craig Loewen for the overhaul.

Comments

"Nothing new under the sun" ANSI.SYS

[Anonymous Coward]

See subject: This is an old trick you could do in DOS via ANSI.SYS loading in config.sys ala DEVICE = C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS & then in autoexec.bat using $e[xx;yy;zzm
where xx = attribute code, yy = foreground color code, and zz = background color code.

A table of the color codes follows:

Code Color
0 Turn Off Attributes
1 High Intensity
2 Normal Intensity
4 Underline (mono only)
5 Blink
7 Reverse Video
8 Invisible
30 Black
31 Red
32 Green
33 Yellow
34 Blue
35 Magenta
36 Cyan
37 White
40 Black
41 Red
42 Green
43 Yellow
44 Blue
45 Magenta
46 Cyan
47 White
For example, the following command will result in a bright red C:\> prompt and bright yellow text on a blue background.

    C:\> prompt $e[1;31;44m$p$g$e[1;33;44m

APK

P.S.=> See subject - it's been done, long ago.. apk

Command Prompt is black. Powershell is blue.

[ITRambo]

I'm not sure where the information came from, but I presume that the change is to Powershell and not to the Command Prompt, which in Windows 10 defaults to a black screen with white text. Powershell defaults to a blue screen with white text.

Re:It's blue?!

[RhettLivingston]

I think you've misunderstood a bit. I had the same first reaction as you, but then read the article.

They changed the colors used to represent the colors you can change to.

For example, I've always changed mine to a yellow or bright green on dark blue background. If you look at the examples in the article, you can see that was a very high contrast but somewhat restful combination before. It is now actually reduced in contrast and I can't see a color combination in the new example that I would find comfortable.