Command Interpreter Ansi Support

by Wayne Maples [Published on 20 April 2004 / Last Updated on 20 April 2004]

If you want ansi support for Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP, you need to load the ansi.sys driver when the command.com shell interpreter loads. The best approach is to create a new shortcut for command.com such that the ansi.sys driver is available when it opens.

Create config file %systemroot%\system32\ansi.nt and include the following config commands: 

dosonly
device=%systemroot%\system32\ansi.sys
device=%SystemRoot%\system32\himem.sys
files=40
dos=high,umb
  • Create a shortcut to command.com on the desktop
  • Right-click the shortcut
  • Select Programs tab
  • For NT : click the Windows NT button
    For Windows 2000 / Windows XP: click the Advanced button
  • Change the Config filename: from the default config file, %systemroot%\system32\config.nt to %systemroot%\system32\ansi.nt
Any DOS applications you run in this command shell will now have ANSI support.

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