MODE

Mode is an all purpose configuration command, used without parameters, MODE displays the status of all devices installed on your system.

Devices

Show the status of all devices: (Typically COM1, COM2, LPT1, CON)
MODE

Show the status of a specific device:
MODE [device]

To additionally show the status of any redirected parallel printer:
MODE [device] [/STATUS]

CMD Prompt

Change the CMD prompt screen size/buffer
Number of cols(characters) wide and Number of lines deep

MODE CON[:] [COLS=c] [LINES=n]

Keyboard

Set the keyboard typematic rate, the rate at which a character is repeated when you hold down the key.
MODE CON[:] [RATE=r DELAY=d]

Printing

To redirect output from a parallel port (PRN, LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3) to a serial port(COM1, COM2, COM3, etc).
You must be a member of the Administrators group to redirect printing.
MODE lptn[:]=comm[:]

To configure a parallel printer port (PRN, LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3):
MODE LPTn[:]=COMm[:]

To setup the parameters for a serial port (* see Start, Help, Commands for more on this).
MODE COMm [options*]

Configure a printer connected to a parallel printer port.
mode lptn[:] [c][,[l][,r]]
mode lptn[:] [cols=c] [lines=l]
This allows you to configure a line printer connected to a parallel printer port.

International Settings

Change the current code page:
MODE CON[:] CP SELECT=yyy

Display the current Code page:
MODE CON[:] CP [/STATUS]

"The dogma of the ghost in the machine" - Gilbert Ryle

Related commands:

NET - manage network resources
CHCP - Display or change device settings

Equivalent Linux BASH commands:

lpc - Line printer control program
printcap - printer capability database
PROMPT_COMMAND - environment variable
screen - Terminal window manager