Windows Command Prompt (CMD) has a reputation for being dry, cryptic, and reserved for IT professionals. But here’s something most people don’t realize: it can actually be fun. With just a few copy-paste commands, CMD becomes a place where you can watch Star Wars, pull a harmless prank, or make custom ASCII art. No coding experience required.
If you’ve ever thought Command Prompt was only for troubleshooting, think again. These tricks are quick, visual, and totally safe to try on any modern Windows computer.
Make CMD Feel Less Boring
Most people interact with Windows through icons and apps, rarely opening CMD unless they’re following a tutorial or fixing something. But hidden behind that blinking cursor are commands that can turn your Command Prompt into a personal playground.
Whether you’re a student, a teacher, a casual user, or just someone who enjoys quirky tech, the tricks in this post are for you. All you need is your keyboard, a few commands, and a sense of curiosity. And yes—they’re all reversible, safe, and fun.
Cool Visual Effects: ASCII Art, Star Wars, and the Matrix
Who says black-and-white text can’t be cool? The Command Prompt can pull off some impressive visual stunts using nothing but ASCII characters.
1. Watch Star Wars in ASCII
Believe it or not, there’s a version of Star Wars: Episode IV you can watch in the Command Prompt using Telnet.
How to try it:
- Open CMD (press Windows + R, type cmd, hit Enter).
- Type: telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl
- Press Enter.
If you get an error, open “Turn Windows features on or off” from the Start menu and enable the “Telnet Client” option.
Once connected, sit back and enjoy an ASCII version of Star Wars playing right in your CMD window. It’s surprisingly detailed and totally silent—but still nostalgic.
2. Create the Matrix “Falling Code” Effect
Want to turn your CMD window into something straight out of a sci-fi movie? This classic trick simulates the iconic green code from The Matrix.
Steps:
- Open Notepad.
- Paste this code:
@echo off
color 0a
:a
echo %random%%random%%random%%random%%random%
goto a
- Save the file as matrix.bat and set “Save as type” to “All Files.”
- Double-click the file to run it.
You’ll see streams of green characters falling down your screen. To stop, just close the window.
3. Simple ASCII Art
For quick, fun output, try echoing a custom message:
echo ^_^ \ (^o^) /
Want more options? Online ASCII generators like patorjk.com let you create more elaborate text designs, which you can copy and paste into CMD.
Fun Automation Tricks with CMD
Command Prompt isn’t just about visuals. It can also do quick automation and shortcuts that are surprisingly useful, or just amusing.
4. Create 100 Folders Instantly
Want to make 100 folders in seconds?
Open CMD in your desired folder, then type:
for /l %i in (1,1,100) do md Folder%i
You’ll instantly see Folder1 through Folder100 appear. It’s perfect for batch organization or just a fun stunt.
5. Make a “Con” or “Aux” Folder
Windows Explorer doesn’t let you name folders “con,” “aux,” or “nul”—but CMD can.
Steps:
- Open CMD as Administrator.
- Type:
md \\.\C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop\con
To delete:
rd \\.\C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop\con
Make sure to replace “YourUsername” with your actual user folder name.
6. Make a Timestamped Folder
Want to create folders labeled with the current date and time?
perl
mkdir “%DATE:~10,4%-%DATE:~4,2%-%DATE:~7,2%-%TIME:~0,2%-%TIME:~3,2%”
This will generate a folder like 2025-07-28-14-45 which is perfect for organizing photos or log files.
Bonus Tricks: Harmless Pranks You Can Try
These tricks are purely visual, won’t harm your system, and are easy to stop or undo. Use them responsibly and preferably with friends who won’t panic!
1. Open Dozens of Windows
Open 100 calculators or 50 Notepad windows at once:
for /L %i in (1,1,100) do start calc
or
for /L %i in (1,1,50) do start notepad
Close them quickly or tell your friend they’ve been “hacked” by CMD.
2. Send a Surprise Message Box
Pop up a system message:
msg * “This is a secret message!”
Or run an infinite loop of messages:
:loop
msg * “Time for a break!”
goto loop
Press Ctrl + C to stop.
3. Customize CMD’s Appearance
Who says CMD has to look like it’s from 1998? You can personalize the interface with a few quick tweaks.
Change Colors
To get green text on a black background, type:
color 0a
You can also run color /? for a list of color codes.
4. Customize the Prompt
Instead of C:\Users\Name>, you can display your own message:
prompt Hello, User! Ready to launch: $G
Want to show the current time and path?
prompt $t $p$g
To go back to default:
prompt $P$G
5. Rename the Window Title
Give your CMD window a fun name:
title Welcome to the Command Zone
6. Yes, You Can Use Emoji
Windows 10 and 11 support Unicode characters in CMD. Try this:
echo 😀🚀🎉
Emoji may appear in grayscale, but it’s still a nice touch.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just Fun; it’s Learning
The Command Prompt isn’t just a relic from the past. It’s still relevant, surprisingly flexible, and yes, fun. You don’t need to be a developer to enjoy it. All it takes is a few simple commands and a little curiosity.
These tricks won’t damage your system. They don’t mess with protected files or change anything permanent. But they do show just how creative and powerful CMD can be, even in 2025.
So if you’ve never opened the Command Prompt for anything beyond a copy-paste from tech support, now’s the time to give it a second chance. Whether you’re trying to entertain, learn, or surprise your friends, CMD has more to offer than you think.
