In Windows XP you can use the "Command Prompt" in full screen mode by simply pressing a key. Unfortunately on Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 systems this possibility has been eliminated. The cause of the problem is due to the changes that Microsoft has made to the way new versions of Windows use the computer's video card. In case you absolutely need to use the "Command Prompt" in full screen mode, there are still some ways to do it even with new versions of Windows.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Maximize the Size of the Command Prompt Window
Step 1. Understand how the procedure described in this method works
Windows Vista has introduced a new set of graphics drivers related to the use of the new Aero interface and the improvement of hardware acceleration to achieve a great visual effect and better performance. However, one of the disadvantages of introducing these new drivers is the inability to use the "Command Prompt" in full screen mode. In other words, when you are using a Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 system, the "Command Prompt" window is displayed only at a reduced size. To get around this limitation you can follow the instructions in this section of the article, however the "Command Prompt" window will occupy the entire computer screen, but it will not be a full screen mode.
- Windows 10 reintroduced the ability to display the "Command Prompt" window in full screen by pressing the key combination Alt + Enter.
- To remedy the problem, it is also possible to disable the video card drivers, but in this way the Aero interface of Windows can no longer be used and the maximum screen resolution can reach a maximum of 800 x 600 pixels. If you want to adopt this solution, read the next method of the article.
- If you usually use a large amount of DOS programs and therefore need the full screen view mode to be able to make the most of them, you can try using the DOSBox emulator. It is a program capable of emulating the DOS environment allowing programs to use the full screen display mode. If you want to adopt this solution, please refer to the last section of the article.
Step 2. Access the "Start" menu
In this case you need to start the "Command Prompt" as system administrator, a step that you can do directly from the Windows "Start" menu.
Step 3. Click the "Command Prompt" item with the right mouse button, then choose the "Run as administrator" option from the context menu that appeared
If you are not logged into Windows with a system administrator account, you will be prompted to enter the system administrator's security password.
Step 4. Type the wmic command in the "Command Prompt" window and press the key
Enter.
This will start the "Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line" (WMIC). Don't worry if you are new to this tool or have never used it, it will simply help you maximize the size of the "Command Prompt" window. After executing the indicated command, you will notice that the prompt in the "Command Prompt" window has changed.
Step 5. Maximize the size of the "Command Prompt" window while the WMIC console is active
Click the square icon located in the upper right corner of the latter. It should take up the entire screen at this point, but the window borders and title bar should still be visible.
Step 6. Type the command exit and press the key
Enter to close the WMIC console.
At this point you will be able to use the "Command Prompt" in normal mode. However, the relative window will continue to occupy the entire computer screen allowing you to use the "Command Prompt" as you see fit.
Step 7. Close and reopen the "Command Prompt" window
The changes you made to the size of the latter will remain in effect even after closing and reopening it. The changes will also take effect when you open the "Command Prompt" window in normal mode.
Method 2 of 3: Disable the Video Card Drivers
Step 1. Understand how the procedure described in this method works
With the release of Windows Vista, Microsoft introduced a new set of video card drivers related to the use of the new Aero interface. Due to this innovation it is no longer possible to use the "Command Prompt" in full screen view mode. If necessary, you can disable these new graphics drivers; however it should be noted that the maximum usable resolution will be limited to 800 x 600 pixels, but you will be able to use the "Command Prompt" in full screen mode. To restore normal computer operation, simply re-enable the drivers in question.
Step 2. Open the Windows "Control Panel"
You can do this directly from the "Start" menu. If you are using a Windows 8.1 system, select the "Start" button in the lower left corner of the desktop with the right mouse button, then choose the "Control Panel" option from the context menu that will appear.
Step 3. Open the "Device Manager" window
If you are using the "Category" view mode of the "Control Panel", select the "Hardware and Sound" item, then choose the "Device Manager" option.
Step 4. Expand the "Display Adapters" section
It lists all the graphics cards installed in the computer. In most cases there should be one or two entries.
Step 5. Click the video card with the right mouse button, then choose the "Disable" option
You will be asked to confirm your action. Your computer screen will most likely appear completely black for a few moments, after which the image will reappear, but at a lower resolution than normal.
In case there are more video cards, you will have to disable the main one, that is the one in use by the computer. If you don't know which one it is, disable them all
Step 6. Activate the "Command Prompt" full screen view mode
Open the "Command Prompt" window and press the key combination Alt + Enter to activate full screen mode. To restore the window display mode, press the same key combination again. This solution will be effective as long as your computer's main video card is disabled.
Step 7. Re-enable the video card
If you need to use the system graphics card features again, just re-enable it via the "Device Manager" window. Select the name of the card with the right mouse button and choose "Enable" from the context menu that will appear. In some cases you may need to restart your computer.
Method 3 of 3: Using DOSBox
Step 1. Understand the process
DOSBox is a free program capable of emulating the MS-DOS environment allowing the execution of all old DOS programs within Windows. If you need to use old DOS programs within the "Command Prompt" in full screen mode, DOSBox is the simplest solution to solve the problem, especially in the case of old video games.
Since DOSBox is optimized for the use of old video games, it offers limited support for network and printing features. However, it should be able to run any DOS program
Step 2. Download and install DOSBox
You can download the installation file for free from the following website dosbox.com/wiki/Releases. Once the download is complete, run the file and follow the installation wizard instructions.
Choose the root folder of your computer's hard drive as the installation point. For example, if your system's hard drive letter is "C: \", install DOSBox in this path C: / DOSBox
Step 3. Create a folder to place your DOS programs
DOSBox will use it as if it were a real hard drive. Create this folder inside the same directory where you installed DOSBox and give it a descriptive and easy to remember name, for example C: / Program Files or C: / GamesDOS.
Step 4. Copy the old programs into the newly created folder
Each program must be placed in a specific directory, which will be copied into the folder created in the previous step.
Step 5. Start DOSBox
The DOSBox command console will appear which will allow you to configure some parameters before you can start using the actual program.
Step 6. Mount the folder where you moved the old DOS programs
Type the command MOUNT C [path_dos_programs_folder] and press the Enter key. Replace the [DOS_programs_folder_path] parameter with the full path of the directory where you copied all the old DOS programs you want to use with DOSBox.
If you want to use a program stored on CD, type the command MOUNT D D: / -t cdrom to "mount" your computer's CD drive. If the latter is identified by a drive letter other than "D: \", you will need to modify the command accordingly
Step 7. Navigate to the folder of the program you want to run
Type the command cd folder_name. Replace the folder_name parameter with the name of the DOS program you want to run.
Step 8. Start the program in question
Type the command dir to view the list of all items contained in the selected directory. Locate the EXE file of the program in question and type it in the command line, then press the "Enter" key. The chosen program will be executed.
Step 9. Activate the full screen view mode
After the execution of the indicated program has started, you can switch to full screen view mode by simply pressing the key combination Alt + Enter.
