How to Clear the Screen in Windows Command Prompt (CMD)

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How to Clear the Screen in Windows Command Prompt (CMD)

Clearing the Command Prompt (CMD) screen can help improve readability and remove clutter from previous commands. Follow these steps to clear the screen in Windows CMD.

Table of Contents Hide
1) Method 1: Using the CLS Command (Recommended)
2) Method 2: Close and Reopen CMD
3) Method 3: Use Keyboard Shortcut in Windows Terminal
4) Conclusion

Method 1: Using the CLS Command (Recommended)

The easiest way to clear the CMD screen is by using the cls command.

Steps:

  1. Open the Command Prompt:
    • Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
  2. Type the following command: cls
  3. Press Enter. The screen will be cleared.

Method 2: Close and Reopen CMD

If the cls command does not work or if you prefer a fresh session:

Steps:

  1. Close the Command Prompt window by clicking the X button or typing: exit and pressing Enter.
  2. Reopen Command Prompt by searching for cmd in the Start Menu or using Win + R > cmd > Enter.

Method 3: Use Keyboard Shortcut in Windows Terminal

If you’re using Windows Terminal, you can use a shortcut to clear the screen.

Steps:

  1. Open Windows Terminal.
  2. Press Ctrl + Shift + P to open the command palette.
  3. Type “Clear Buffer” and select it, or simply use: cls in the terminal window and press Enter.

Conclusion

The cls command is the quickest and easiest way to clear the CMD screen, but if you prefer, closing and reopening CMD also works. In Windows Terminal, additional shortcuts can be used for clearing output efficiently.

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