How Can I Scroll Up in Windows CMD Using the Keyboard?

Introduction

The Windows Command Prompt (CMD) is a powerful tool that allows users to execute various commands on their computer. One of the most useful features of CMD is the ability to navigate through previously entered commands using the directional and page keys. However, many users are not aware of how to scroll up and view earlier commands using only the keyboard. In this blog post, we will explore different methods to scroll up in Windows CMD using the keyboard.

Method 1: Using the Function Keys

The first and easiest method to scroll up in Windows CMD is by using the function keys. By default, the function keys F7 and F8 are assigned to scroll up and down through the command history. Here’s how to use them:

1. Open CMD by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “CMD” in the Run dialog box.
2. Type some commands in the CMD window.
3. To scroll up, press the F7 key. This will display a list of previously entered commands.
4. Use the arrow keys to select the desired command and press Enter to execute it.
5. To scroll down, press the F8 key. This will display the next set of previously entered commands.

Method 2: Using the Alt Key

Another method to scroll up in Windows CMD is by using the Alt key. This method is useful when the function keys are not working or disabled. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open CMD by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “CMD” in the Run dialog box.
2. Type some commands in the CMD window.
3. Press and hold the Alt key.
4. While holding the Alt key, press the up arrow key to scroll up through the command history.
5. Release the Alt key when you find the desired command.

Method 3: Using the Scroll Wheel

If you have a mouse with a scroll wheel, you can use it to scroll up and down through the command history in Windows CMD. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open CMD by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “CMD” in the Run dialog box.
2. Type some commands in the CMD window.
3. Click on the CMD window to make it active.
4. Use the scroll wheel on your mouse to scroll up and down through the command history.
5. Click on the desired command to execute it.

Method 4: Using the PowerShell ISE

PowerShell ISE (Integrated Scripting Environment) is a more advanced version of the Windows Command Prompt that offers additional features and functionality. One of these features is the ability to scroll up and down through the command history using the keyboard. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open PowerShell ISE by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “PowerShell_ISE” in the Run dialog box.
2. Type some commands in the PowerShell ISE window.
3. Press the up arrow key to scroll up through the command history.
4. Press the down arrow key to scroll down through the command history.
5. Press Enter to execute the desired command.

Method 5: Using the Doskey Command

The Doskey command is a built-in command in Windows that allows users to create macros and aliases for commonly used commands. It also provides a way to view and navigate through the command history using the keyboard. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open CMD by pressing the Windows key + R and typing “CMD” in the Run dialog box.
2. Type some commands in the CMD window.
3. Type the following command: doskey /history
4. This will display a list of previously entered commands.
5. To scroll up, press the up arrow key. To scroll down, press the down arrow key.

Method 6: Using a Third-Party Tool

If you find the built-in methods of scrolling up in Windows CMD using the keyboard insufficient, you can use a third-party tool like Console2 or ConEmu. These tools offer advanced features and functionality, including the ability to customize the keyboard shortcuts for scrolling up and down through the command history. Here’s how to use Console2:

1. Download and install Console2 from the official website.
2. Open Console2 and click on the “Edit” menu.
3. Select “Settings” and then “Hotkeys.”
4. Scroll down to the “History” section and select the desired keyboard shortcut for scrolling up.
5. Click “OK” to save the changes.

In conclusion, scrolling up in Windows CMD using the keyboard is a useful skill that can save you time and effort. Whether you prefer using the function keys, Alt key, scroll wheel, PowerShell ISE, Doskey command, or a third-party tool, there are multiple ways to navigate through the command history and find the desired command.

As you know, the Windows Command Prompt (CMD) is a powerful tool that allows you to access various Windows services and utilities from a command-line interface. Knowing how to navigate around the CMD window is essential for troubleshooting and performing other tasks.

Using the keyboard to move between command history items is one of the most effective ways of navigating the CMD window. When you press the up or down arrow key, you can move backward and forward through the list of previously used commands. The Page Up and Page Down keys, on the other hand, can be used to scroll up and down the command history window.

However, it is not always convenient to use the Page Up and Page Down keys when scrolling through the command history window. For example, you may not have access to a keyboard with these keys or the keys may have become stuck or unresponsive. In such cases, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts to scroll up and down the command history window:

• Ctrl + R: This will scroll up one line at a time.
• Ctrl + U: This will scroll down one line at a time.
• Ctrl + A: This will scroll to the beginning of the command history window.
• Ctrl + E: This will scroll to the end of the command history window.

In addition to using the keyboard shortcuts listed above, you can also use the mouse to scroll up and down the command history window. To do so, simply move the mouse cursor to the top or bottom of the window and click and drag the scrollbar.

If you are running CMD on a touchscreen device, you can also use your finger to scroll up and down the command history window. Simply move your finger up or down the window and the window will scroll accordingly.

In summary, you can scroll up in Windows CMD using the keyboard by using the keyboard shortcuts listed above or by using the mouse or your finger on a touchscreen device.

If you need any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Cmd.exe functions as a shell rather than a terminal. However, certain terminals have their own mechanism for scrolling the console window without transmitting the shortcut key to the shell. This allows for easy scrolling of any shell currently active in the terminal, including cmd.

By default, the Windows terminal is conhost.exe, and its scrolling function can be accessed via Alt+Space, E, L, then Up/Down or PageUp/PageDown, as previously answered by Remirol (now deleted). This feature also works in PowerShell because PowerShell uses conhost as its default terminal. However, PowerShell has its own more user-friendly scrolling shortcut, which is PageUp/PageDown. Similarly, other shells such as bash may have similar keys, like Shift+PageUp/PageDown. Unfortunately, cmd only has a key to scroll one line at a time, rather than by page.

If you use a more advanced terminal, it likely has its own scrolling shortcut. For example, in the Windows terminal, shortcut keys can be customized in the settings.json file by adding an example to the “keybindings” array.

// Unbind keys first from any other actions so that we can use
{ "command": "unbound", "keys": "ctrl+shift+pageup" },
{ "command": "unbound", "keys": "ctrl+shift+pagedown" },
{ "command": "unbound", "keys": "ctrl+shift+up" },
{ "command": "unbound", "keys": "ctrl+shift+down" },

{ "command": "scrollUpPage", "keys": "ctrl+shift+pageup" },
{ "command": "scrollDownPage", "keys": "ctrl+shift+pagedown" },
{ "command": "scrollUp", "keys": "ctrl+shift+up" },
{ "command": "scrollDown", "keys": "ctrl+shift+down" },

• In ConEmu (and its “extension” cmder) there are various Key.Buf*Up and Key.Buf*Dn events to scroll the buffer. By default Ctrl+Up/Down and Ctrl+PgUp/PgDn will be used to scroll a line and a page respectively