Windows XP Hacks

Put a Command-Line Prompt on Your Desktop

Command-line junkies always want the command prompt within easy reach. Here’s how to put a command prompt directly on your desktop, so it’s there whenever you need it.

If you use the command line regularly—for example, to launch Windows Explorer with shortcuts [Hack #22]—you’d like the command line within easy reach. In fact, you’d like it right on your desktop. XP has no built-in way to do that for you.

But there’s a great free program called MCL (http://www.mlin.net/MCL.shtml) that runs as a small command line you can put anywhere on your desktop, as shown in Figure 3-26.

Figure 3-26. Putting the command line right on your desktop with MCL

Use it as you would use the normal command line, including any normal switches that you use to launch programs.

But MCL does more than just let you enter commands. It includes a number of other goodies that the XP command prompt doesn’t, including these:

• It keeps a history of your last 100 commands, so you can easily reenter or edit any commands you’ve already typed.

• It includes an AutoComplete function that finishes your commands for you.

• It lets you launch URLs directly from the command line. If you type a URL, your default browser will open to that URL.

• It can be minimized to the System Notification area.

• It can be launched with a hot key. The default is Ctrl-Alt-M.

The program has a few eccentricities you’ll ...