I'm trying to include some ANSI codes into a batch file to add a little color. I've noticed that ANSI.SYS isn't loaded by default in WinXP, but even when I do add DEVICE=ANSI.SYS to my C:\WINDOWS\system32\config.nt file and reboot, it doesn't recognize the codes (just displays them as plain text). I have a copy of ANSI.COM as well, but it doesn't recognize them, either. I made the Escape character in Edit (Ctrl-P, then Escape). Am I doing something wrong, or is WinXP just not friendly to ANSI codes? Here's an example: echo Hello World! The box is the Escape code, of course. The docs I read on this indicate that this should clear the screen, move the cursor, then display the text with a white foreground and a blue background.

You can't enable ANSI escape codes in Windows XP because it is a NT kernel based system, while ANSI.SYS requires a DOS core and command.com interpreter (cmd.exe in WinXP) as Windows 9X/ME or legacy DOS/Win 3X systems. So forget escape codes, but you can achieve a bit of colour by using the color command. To get what you want code color 1F See color /? for other choices.

You can only use ANSI.SYS in the COMMAND.COM interpreter, which is included in Windows for compatibility with old MS-DOS applications, and runs in the 16-bit Virtual DOS Machine. Run COMMAND.COM if you really must, but note that it runs slower than CMD.exe (the native 32-bit Windows command interpreter), and contains many restrictions such as not supporting long file names or any of the newer batch commands.

Argh... I was afraid you'd say that. That's a shame. Ah well, the COLOR command is the way I'll go, then. Thanks!!!

I've always wondered how you have to use colored text in a DOS window under WinXP and such. The COLOR command sets the whole box in different fore- and/or backgroundcolor. ... but no line or string of text ? Do I have to get my ancient C-compiler again ? Hi there.

For mixed color strings put your ancient C compiler ready to fly.

OK. Boooorlaaaaaaand, where are you ? Hi there.