SetConsoleWindowInfo function
Important
This document describes console platform functionality that is no longer a part of our ecosystem roadmap. We do not recommend using this content in new products, but we will continue to support existing usages for the indefinite future. Our preferred modern solution focuses on virtual terminal sequences for maximum compatibility in cross-platform scenarios. You can find more information about this design decision in our classic console vs. virtual terminal document.
Sets the current size and position of a console screen buffer's window.
Syntax
BOOL WINAPI SetConsoleWindowInfo(
_In_ HANDLE hConsoleOutput,
_In_ BOOL bAbsolute,
_In_ const SMALL_RECT *lpConsoleWindow
);
Parameters
hConsoleOutput [in]
A handle to the console screen buffer. The handle must have the GENERIC_READ access right. For more information, see Console Buffer Security and Access Rights.
bAbsolute [in]
If this parameter is TRUE, the coordinates specify the new upper-left and lower-right corners of the window. If it is FALSE, the coordinates are relative to the current window-corner coordinates.
lpConsoleWindow [in]
A pointer to a SMALL_RECT structure that specifies the new upper-left and lower-right corners of the window.
Return value
If the function succeeds, the return value is nonzero.
If the function fails, the return value is zero. To get extended error information, call GetLastError.
Remarks
The function fails if the specified window rectangle extends beyond the boundaries of the console screen buffer. This means that the Top and Left members of the lpConsoleWindow rectangle (or the calculated top and left coordinates, if bAbsolute is FALSE) cannot be less than zero. Similarly, the Bottom and Right members (or the calculated bottom and right coordinates) cannot be greater than (screen buffer height – 1) and (screen buffer width – 1), respectively. The function also fails if the Right member (or calculated right coordinate) is less than or equal to the Left member (or calculated left coordinate) or if the Bottom member (or calculated bottom coordinate) is less than or equal to the Top member (or calculated top coordinate).
For consoles with more than one screen buffer, changing the window location for one screen buffer does not affect the window locations of the other screen buffers.
To determine the current size and position of a screen buffer's window, use the GetConsoleScreenBufferInfo function. This function also returns the maximum size of the window, given the current screen buffer size, the current font size, and the screen size. The GetLargestConsoleWindowSize function returns the maximum window size given the current font and screen sizes, but it does not consider the size of the console screen buffer.
SetConsoleWindowInfo can be used to scroll the contents of the console screen buffer by shifting the position of the window rectangle without changing its size.
Tip
This API is not recommended and does not have a virtual terminal equivalent. This decision intentionally aligns the Windows platform with other operating systems where the user is granted full control over this presentation option. Applications remoting via cross-platform utilities and transports like SSH may not work as expected if using this API.
Examples
For an example, see Scrolling a Screen Buffer's Window.
Requirements
| Minimum supported client | Windows 2000 Professional [desktop apps only] |
| Minimum supported server | Windows 2000 Server [desktop apps only] |
| Header | ConsoleApi2.h (via WinCon.h, include Windows.h) |
| Library | Kernel32.lib |
| DLL | Kernel32.dll |