How to Change Cursor Color of Console Window in Windows 10


A console (or "terminal) is an application that provides I/O to character-mode applications.

For example: command prompt, PowerShell, or Linux

Starting with Windows 10 build 18298, when you open the properties page of any Console window, you will notice an additional Terminal tab containing several new settings for some experimental features.

The default cursor color of a console window is the calculated inverse of the background color.

See also: New Experimental Console Features Windows Command Line Tools For Developers

This tutorial will show you how to change the cursor color in a console window (ex: command prompt, PowerShell, Linux) for your account in Windows 10.

The cursor color you select for a console window will only be applied to the specific console window shortcut that opened it.

For example, command prompt opened via Win+X menu VS Run (Win+R) dialog. Each location would have its own settings.


EXAMPLE: Cursor color in a console window

Inverse Color: The current and default behavior where the cursor color is the calculated inverse of the background color … which results in, for example, this pink against the bright green background.
Change Cursor Color of Console Window in Windows 10-experimental-cursor-color-inverse-600x166.png

Use Color: Draw the cursor in a specific RGB color, like this green against dark gray background:
Change Cursor Color of Console Window in Windows 10-experimental-cursor-color-600x169.png



Here's How:

1. Open a command prompt, elevated command prompt, PowerShell, elevated PowerShell, or Linux console window you want to change the cursor color for.

You could also just directly right click on the console window shortcut or file, click/tap on Properties, and go to step 3 below.

2. Right click or press and hold on the title bar of the console window, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)

Change Cursor Color of Console Window in Windows 10-console_window_cursor_color-1.png

3. Do step 4 (inverse color) or step 5 (custom color) below for what cursor color you want.


 4. Use "Inverse Color" for Cursor Color in this Console Window

This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Terminal tab. (see screenshot below)

B) Select (dot) Inverse Color in Cursor Colors settings.

C) Click/tap on OK to apply, and go to step 6 below.

Change Cursor Color of Console Window in Windows 10-console_window_cursor_color-2.png


 5. Use "Use Color" for Custom Cursor Color in this Console Window

A) Click/tap on the Terminal tab. (see screenshot below)

B) Select (dot) Use Color in Cursor Colors settings.

C) Enter the RGB numbers for the color you want.

Tip   Tip
If you like, you can use Paint (mspaint.exe) to get the RGB numbers for a color you want.

1) Open Paint (mspaint.exe).
2) Click/tap on Edit color on the toolbar in the Home tab.
3) Select and adjust a color to what you want.
4) Make note of the RGB numbers for the color.
Change Cursor Color of Console Window in Windows 10-mspaint_for_color.jpg
D) Click/tap on OK to apply, and go to step 6 below.

Change Cursor Color of Console Window in Windows 10-console_window_cursor_color-3.png

6. You can now close the console window if you like.


That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials



  • Windows 11 Tutorials