Skip to content

Windows CHANGE command

The Windows CHANGE command is a useful tool that allows users to customize the appearance of the prompt text on the Command Prompt window. By using this command, you can change the text color, background color, and cursor size to personalize your Command Prompt experience. The syntax for the CHANGE command is straightforward, making it easy for even novice users to modify the prompt text to their liking. Whether you’re looking to make the Command Prompt window more visually appealing or simply want to change the default text colors, the Windows CHANGE command provides a simple and effective solution. Start exploring the customization options offered by the CHANGE command today to enhance your Command Prompt experience.

CHANGE Syntax:

Terminal window
change [username] [/domain] [/active:no]

Options:

OptionDescription
[username]Specifies the user’s logon name.
/domainSpecifies the domain where the user account exists.
/active:no Disables the user account.

Parameters:

ParameterDescription
[username]The name of the user you want to change.
/domain domainnameThe name of the domain where the user account exists.

CHANGE Usage:

Rename a File

Terminal window
change oldfile.txt newfile.txt

Changes the name of the file “oldfile.txt” to “newfile.txt”.

Change the Environment Variables

Terminal window
change /D

Changes the current drive to the specified directory.

Change the Command Prompt Colors

Terminal window
change color 0A

Changes the color of the command prompt to a combination of two hexadecimal digits. In this example, “0A” represents the color combination of black background with green text.

Change the CMD Window Title

Terminal window
change title NewTitle

Changes the title of the Command Prompt window to “NewTitle”.

How do I use change in CMD?

To use the change command in CMD, execute the following command:

Terminal window
change /d C:\NewDirectory

What is the purpose of the change command in Windows CMD?

The change command in Windows CMD is used to change the current directory.

How can I change to a specific directory using the change command?

You can change to a specific directory by specifying the directory path after the /d option. For example:

Terminal window
change /d D:\MyFolder

Can I use relative paths with the change command in CMD?

Yes, you can use relative paths with the change command. For example, to move up one directory level, you can use:

Terminal window
change /d ..

How do I view the current directory after using the change command?

To view the current directory after using the change command, you can use the following command:

Terminal window
echo %cd%

Is it possible to change to a network directory with the change command?

Yes, you can change to a network directory by specifying the UNC path after the /d option. For example:

Terminal window
change /d \\ServerName\SharedFolder

How do I switch to a specific drive using the change command?

To switch to a specific drive using the change command, you can simply specify the drive letter followed by a colon. For example:

Terminal window
change /d D:

Applications of the CHANGE Command

  • Renaming files or directories
  • Changing file attributes
  • Modifying file timestamps
  • Converting file formats
  • Substituting text within files