Better windows command line shells

Question

Is there a better windows command line shell other than cmd which has better copy paste between Windows' windows and console windows?

Answer 1

Not sure what specifically you mean by better copy/paste but try Take Command.

Take Command supports Shift+Ins for paste and Shift+Del for cut, but apparently nothing for copy, will dig some more.

Answer 2

Windows PowerShell is the obvious choice when it comes to "better windows command line shell other than cmd". Its clipboard handling isn't that much of an improvement - mark with the mouse, Enter to copy, or right mouse click to paste.

Answer 3

Not sure what specifically you mean by better copy/paste

I mean how copy paste works in other windows apps, (Ctrl+C = copy, Ctrl+V=paste, right-click paste pastes from the clipboard.. etc..)

Answer 4

This probably is not exactly what you want, but you can take a look at Console2

I have it configured so that shift+select auto copies and middle click pastes, really handy, internally it uses same old cmd.exe so you are not really getting a different shell.

By the way, I guess Ctrl+C = copy is not the best idea in a command line context because it usually means interrupt running process.

Answer 5

Take Command does support Copy/Cut/Paste from the keyboard and the mouse. It's pretty handy if you do a lot of work from a command prompt. It also supports:

• Command and folder history, with popup windows to select prior commands or folders.
• Screen scroll back buffer
• Enhanced batch commands
• Built in FTP/HTTP file access
• A toolbar with programmable buttons

Answer 6

Depending on what you're trying to do with the shell, rxvt in cygwin is good.

You'll get the nicety of auto copy on selection and middle click paste. The biggest downside is that some windows console apps don't play nice with cygwin.

Answer 7

Have you thought through what behavior you want to replace the current Ctrl-C functionality?

Answer 8

@Chirs
I think you need to clarify shell vs host(emulator). To me it sounds like you need another interface to your existing shell that better supports copy and paste, not another shell that supports more/different features.

I second Pat's suggestion of Console2, it is a very good application and OSS to boot.

Answer 9

Enable QuickEdit mode, under the Options tab of your shortcut to the command shell. Mark with the mouse, right-click to copy, right-click again to paste.

While you're there, enable a hotkey (like CTRL + ALT + C) for lightning fast access to the shell.

And no, you can't have CTRL + C for COPY, because CTRL + C means BREAK.

On a related note, the Microsoftee who changed the default setting of QuickEdit mode between Windows Server 2000 and 2003 is an idiot and I heap curses upon him each workday.

Answer 10

I use the standard CMD.EXE shell but with a twist: an AutoHotKey script to support clipboard copy-paste as posted here