C Winapi

How to Change the Title of the Command Prompt Window in C Language

If you’ve ever wanted to personalize your command prompt window when executing DOS-based programs, you’re in luck! Changing the title of the command prompt window can help you quickly identify which program is running, especially if you have multiple command prompts open simultaneously. In this blog post, we will explore how you can easily change the title of the command prompt window using the C programming language and the Windows API.

Understanding the Problem

When you double-click a DOS-based program, the command prompt launches with a default title, usually a generic string that might not provide any context about the running program. This can lead to confusion if you’re multitasking or running multiple programs at once. To solve this, you can set a custom title for the command prompt window that will change every time you execute a program.

The Solution: Using SetConsoleTitle

One effective way to change the title of the command prompt window is through the SetConsoleTitle function provided by the Windows API. This function allows you to set the title for the console window to any string you choose. Let’s break down the steps to implement this solution in your C program.

Step-by-Step Implementation

Include Necessary Header: First, you need to include the Windows header in your C program. This header contains the declaration for the SetConsoleTitle function.
```
#include <windows.h>
```
Set the Console Title: Use the SetConsoleTitle function to change the title. You can call this function by passing a string as an argument that will represent the new title.
```
SetConsoleTitle("Your Custom Title Here");
```

Example Code: Below is a simple example of how to put these elements together in a C program:

#include <windows.h>
#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    // Change the console window title
    SetConsoleTitle("My Cool DOS Program");

    // Rest of your program logic here
    printf("Hello, this is my DOS program!\n");
    // Keep the console window open
    system("pause");
    return 0;
}

Compile and Run: Compile your C code using a C compiler that supports the Windows API, and execute the program. You should see the command prompt window title change to “My Cool DOS Program”.

Final Thoughts

Changing the title of your command prompt window is a simple yet effective way to enhance your programming experience in C. By using the SetConsoleTitle function from the Windows API, you can keep your work organized and improve productivity by easily identifying which tasks are running in different command prompt windows.

Key Takeaways

Use the SetConsoleTitle function to change the command prompt title.
Include windows.h for Windows API functionality.
Customize the title to suit your project needs, making it easier to work with multiple command windows.

With these tips, you’ll have a much more organized workspace in your command prompt, allowing you to focus on what truly matters—coding!