GetLargestConsoleWindowSize 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.

Retrieves the size of the largest possible console window, based on the current font and the size of the display.

Syntax

COORD WINAPI GetLargestConsoleWindowSize(
  _In_ HANDLE hConsoleOutput
);

Parameters

hConsoleOutput [in]
A handle to the console screen buffer.

Return value

If the function succeeds, the return value is a COORD structure that specifies the number of character cell columns (X member) and rows (Y member) in the largest possible console window. Otherwise, the members of the structure are zero.

To get extended error information, call GetLastError.

Remarks

The function does not take into consideration the size of the console screen buffer, which means that the window size returned may be larger than the size of the console screen buffer. The GetConsoleScreenBufferInfo function can be used to determine the maximum size of the console window, given the current screen buffer size, the current font, and the display 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.

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

See also

Console Functions

COORD

GetConsoleScreenBufferInfo

SetConsoleWindowInfo

Window and Screen Buffer Size