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How can I clear the current line in the command prompt? (I'm using Windows 7.)

Too often, I enter a command, execute it, get many lines of output, then wish to enter another command. But before entering the second command, I press the up arrow key to review the first command, then I find I have to hold backspace for 30-or so characters. (I can't just press down again to get an empty line. Nor can I get it by pressing up again.)

essential
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Jellicle
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2 Answers2

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The Escape (Esc) key will clear the input line.

In addition, pressing Ctrl+C will move the cursor to a new, blank line. This may be helpful as the input you just reviewed remains visible while you type the new command.

Myrddin Emrys
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Aside from the two that Myyrddin covered - Esc and Ctrl+C - there are also two more shortcuts related to clearing the current input in CMD.

Ctrl+Home will clear all characters in the input before the cursor (equivalent to Ctrl+U in Bash)

Ctrl+End will clear all characters in the input after the cursor (equivalent to Ctrl+K in Bash)

Both are fairly useful and, once internalised and gotten used to, could speed up editing in CMD by quite a bit.

Hashim Aziz
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