Retro Friday: Green Screen Look in Command Prompt

Yes, you can give the Windows Command Prompt a retro green-screen look by changing its color settings, and you can do it in about ten seconds. This article explains exactly how to set the classic phosphor-green text on a black background, how to make it permanent, and why the look is so closely tied to early computing.

Why the Green Screen Look Exists

Long before color monitors were common, many computer terminals used monochrome cathode-ray tube (CRT) displays. Green phosphor was popular because it was cheap, had good contrast, and was easy on the eyes for long sessions. Terminals like the DEC VT100 and the IBM 3270 series often displayed green text on a dark background, which is why the aesthetic is now shorthand for “old computer.� The Windows Command Prompt, even in modern Windows 11, still lets you pick any two colors for text and background, so recreating that look is a simple settings change.

How to Change Colors in Command Prompt

There are two main ways to get the green screen look: using the graphical properties window, or typing a command. The graphical method is easiest for most people.

1. Open Command Prompt (search for “cmdâ€� in the Start menu, or press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter).
2. Right-click the title bar of the window and select Properties.
3. Go to the Colors tab.
4. Under Screen Background, choose Black (or a very dark green, like RGB 0, 20, 0).
5. Under Screen Text, choose Green (a bright green like RGB 0, 255, 0, or a softer green like RGB 0, 180, 0).
6. Click OK. The change applies immediately.

If you prefer the command-line route, type color 0A and press Enter. The first digit is the background (0 = black), the second is the text (A = bright green). This changes the colors for the current session only.

Making the Green Screen Permanent

If you want every new Command Prompt window to open with the green screen look, you need to save the settings as the default. Here’s how:

1. Open Command Prompt.
2. Right-click the title bar and choose Defaults (not Properties).
3. Go to the Colors tab and set the same black background and green text.
4. Click OK.

Now every new Command Prompt window will use those colors. Note that the Defaults dialog only affects future windows; the Properties dialog only affects the current window. If you have a shortcut to Command Prompt on your desktop or taskbar, you can also right-click the shortcut, choose Properties, and set the colors there—that will apply only when you launch from that shortcut.

Common Problems and Fixes

Sometimes the green screen look doesn’t work as expected. Here are the most common issues:

• Colors revert after closing the window: You used Properties instead of Defaults. Open Defaults and set the colors there.
• The text is hard to read: Bright green on pure black can be harsh. Try a softer green (e.g., RGB 0, 200, 0) or a dark green background (e.g., RGB 0, 30, 0) for a more authentic phosphor glow.
• The color command doesn’t work: The color command only works in the current session and only if you type it correctly. Make sure you’re using 0A (zero, not the letter O).
• You want the look in Windows Terminal: Windows Terminal is the newer app that can also run Command Prompt. To get the green screen look there, open Windows Terminal, press Ctrl + , to open settings, then edit the color scheme. You can create a custom scheme with black background and green foreground, or use the built-in “Campbellâ€� scheme and modify it.

Comparing Command Prompt to a Real Retro Terminal

A real green-screen terminal didn’t just display green text—it had a distinct character set, a blinking block cursor, and often a scanline effect. The Command Prompt can’t replicate the scanlines, but you can get closer with a few tweaks:

• Font: Choose a raster font or a monospace font like “Terminalâ€� or “Courier Newâ€� in the Properties > Font tab. The old “Raster Fontsâ€� option gives the most authentic blocky look, but it’s only available in some Windows versions.
• Cursor: In the Properties > Options tab, you can change the cursor to a block (instead of the default small rectangle) and make it blink.
• Window size: Old terminals were often 80 columns by 24 or 25 rows. You can set the window size in the Layout tab to 80 by 25, and the screen buffer to the same size to avoid scrollbars.

Alternatives to Command Prompt for the Green Screen Look

If you want the full retro experience beyond just color, you have a few options:

• Windows Terminal: As mentioned, this modern app can be themed to look like a green-screen terminal, and it supports custom color schemes, fonts, and even background images.
• PowerShell: The same color settings apply to PowerShell windows. Just follow the same steps in a PowerShell window.
• Third-party terminal emulators: Programs like PuTTY (for SSH) or old-school terminal emulators like HyperTerminal can be configured with green-on-black colors. Some emulators even have a “green screenâ€� preset.
• Full-screen retro OS emulators: If you want to run actual old software, you can use a DOS emulator like DOSBox, which can be configured to display in green monochrome. This is more involved but gives the most authentic experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the green screen look called “retro Friday�?

“Retro Friday� is a colloquial term used on social media and forums where people share nostalgic computing content on Fridays. The green screen look is a popular example of retro computing aesthetics, so the term has become associated with it. It’s not an official term—just a fun way to celebrate old technology.

Can I use the color command in a batch file?

Yes. You can put color 0A at the beginning of a batch file to set the colors for that script’s session. When the script ends, the colors revert to whatever the window had before.

Does changing the colors affect how programs run?

No. The color settings only change the appearance of the text and background. They do not affect the behavior of commands or programs. Some programs may have their own color output (like git or ls with color support), but those are controlled by the program’s own settings, not the Command Prompt’s.

How do I get the exact green from old IBM terminals?

Old IBM 3270 terminals often used a green that was roughly RGB (0, 255, 0) but with a slightly yellow tint due to phosphor decay. A good approximation is RGB (0, 255, 0) or RGB (51, 255, 51) if you want it a bit softer. You can experiment until it looks right on your screen.

Will the green screen look work in Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Yes. The classic Command Prompt color settings are still available in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The steps are the same, though in Windows 11 you might be prompted to use Windows Terminal instead—you can still open the classic Command Prompt from the Start menu.

Can I make the background completely black?

Yes. In the Properties or Defaults dialog, under Screen Background, select the black color swatch. If you want a pure black (RGB 0,0,0), you can click “Custom� and enter the RGB values manually.

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