Changing MS-DOS Command Prompt Under Windows

 Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q92366
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

You can display a custom MS-DOS prompt when you run MS-DOS Prompt from Program Manager.

Changing the MS-DOS Prompt Under Windows 3.1 and 3.11

Under Windows 3.1 you can change the look of the MS-DOS command prompt inside of Windows because the WINPMT environment variable was added to Windows. You can change this variable by using the SET command in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. For example: 

   SET WINPMT=Windows Shell - $p$g

Changing the MS-DOS Prompt Under Windows 3.0 and 3.0a

To change the MS-DOS command prompt in Windows 3.0 and 3.0a, you must create a batch file to modify the PROMPT environment variable. You can then start the batch file instead of COMMAND.COM. The following is a sample batch file: 

   @echo off
   prompt Windows Shell - $p$g
   command.com
After making the batch file, change the MS-DOS Prompt icon's program name from COMMAND.COM to the name of the batch file from the Program Item Properties dialog box.

KBCategory: kbenv kbdisplay
KBSubcategory: win31 win30
Additional reference words: 3.00 3.00a 3.10 dos box prompt prmt
pmtwinprompt winprompt= winprmt= winpmt=

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Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
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