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Windows Terminal is Microsoft’s modern command-line host for Windows. Instead of opening separate windows for PowerShell, Command Prompt and Linux shells, you can manage them in one application with tabs, split panes, profiles, themes and keyboard shortcuts.
For everyday users, Windows Terminal is useful because it makes command-line work less cluttered and easier to organize. For administrators, developers and power users, it becomes a central workspace for PowerShell, WSL, SSH sessions and other shells.
What Is Windows Terminal?
Windows Terminal is a terminal application, not a shell by itself. PowerShell, Command Prompt and WSL are shells or command-line environments that can run inside it. Microsoft’s current documentation describes Terminal as a host for multiple profiles, tabs, panes, command-line arguments and extensive appearance settings.
That distinction matters: changing the Terminal application does not replace PowerShell or CMD. It gives those tools a better interface.
Install or Update Windows Terminal
On current Windows 11 systems, Windows Terminal is commonly already installed. If it is missing or outdated, install or update it through the Microsoft Store or Microsoft’s supported distribution methods.
Open Start and search for Terminal. If the app opens, you are ready to continue.
Make Windows Terminal the Default Terminal App
Microsoft allows Windows Terminal to be set as the default terminal application in Windows 11. In Terminal, open Settings, choose Startup, then select Windows Terminal as the default terminal application.
This makes compatible command-line launches open in Terminal instead of an older console host.
Choose Your Default Profile
A profile tells Windows Terminal which shell to launch and how that shell should look and behave. Common profiles include PowerShell, Command Prompt and installed WSL distributions.
Go to Settings > Startup > Default profile and select the environment you use most often. PowerShell is a sensible default for many Windows users because it offers a more capable scripting environment than classic Command Prompt.
Use Tabs to Keep Sessions Organized
Tabs let you keep several command-line sessions in one window. Press Ctrl+Shift+T to open a new tab using the default profile. Use the dropdown next to the new-tab button to choose a different profile.
A practical setup might include one PowerShell tab for Windows administration, one WSL tab for Linux commands and another tab for an SSH connection.
Split the Window Into Panes
Panes are one of Windows Terminal’s most useful productivity features. They let you divide a tab into multiple command-line regions.
Microsoft documents Alt+Shift++ for a vertical split, Alt+Shift+- for a horizontal split and Alt+Shift+D for an automatic duplicate pane. You can also hold Alt while selecting a profile from the dropdown to open that profile in a new pane.
Panes are especially useful when you want to watch a log in one area while running commands in another.
Open the Command Palette
Press Ctrl+Shift+P to open the command palette. It exposes many Terminal actions without requiring you to remember every shortcut.
If you forget how to split a pane, rename a tab or change focus, the command palette is often the fastest place to look.
Customize Appearance
Open Settings > Appearance to change application-level options such as theme and tab behavior. Individual profiles have their own appearance settings for font, cursor, background, opacity and color scheme.
Keep readability ahead of decoration. A high-contrast theme and a clear monospace font are usually more valuable than elaborate background effects.
Change the Font
Windows Terminal supports configurable fonts per profile. Microsoft commonly uses Cascadia Code in its examples, but you can choose another installed monospace font.
Increase font size if you spend long periods in the terminal. Better readability reduces command-entry mistakes.
Use Different Color Schemes by Profile
Color can provide useful visual context. For example, you might use one scheme for PowerShell and another for WSL. This makes it easier to recognize which environment is active before entering a command.
Do not rely on color alone for important distinctions. Profile names and tab titles should still be clear.
Rename and Color Tabs
Windows Terminal lets you rename a tab for the current session and assign tab colors. This is useful when several tabs are connected to different servers or projects.
Right-click a tab and use the available tab options. A descriptive title such as Home Server or Backup Script is safer than trying to remember which numbered tab is which.
Use PowerShell Inside Windows Terminal
PowerShell is a strong default for Windows administration, automation and troubleshooting. Windows Terminal does not change PowerShell commands; it simply gives PowerShell a more capable interface.
If you are diagnosing performance problems, pair Terminal with the Windows 11 Task Manager Guide rather than blindly running cleanup scripts.
Use Command Prompt When You Need It
Classic Command Prompt remains useful for older commands, batch files and documentation written around CMD syntax. Keep a Command Prompt profile available even if PowerShell is your default.
Remember that PowerShell and CMD do not interpret every command identically. If a tutorial specifically says to use Command Prompt, use that profile unless you understand the differences.
Use WSL From Windows Terminal
When Windows Subsystem for Linux is installed, Windows Terminal can automatically expose installed Linux distributions as profiles. This creates a convenient bridge between Windows and Linux workflows.
You can keep Windows tools in one tab and Linux tools in another while working in the same application.
Open Terminal in a Specific Folder
Launching a shell in the correct folder saves repeated cd commands. You can open Terminal from File Explorer in a folder context or configure profile starting directories.
For repeat work, set a profile’s starting directory to the project or administration folder you use most often.
Use the Settings Interface Before Editing JSON
Windows Terminal includes a graphical Settings interface for most common customization. Use that first. It is easier to understand and less likely to introduce syntax mistakes.
Advanced users can still edit settings.json. Microsoft documents the settings file location and notes that Terminal can open it directly from the Settings menu.
Back Up Your Settings Before Major Changes
If you heavily customize profiles, key bindings or color schemes, keep a backup of your settings file before large edits. A malformed JSON change can create confusing behavior.
This follows the same principle as other Windows maintenance: preserve a known-good copy before making broad configuration changes. See How to Clean Up Windows Without Breaking Your PC.
Useful Windows Terminal Shortcuts
| Action | Default Shortcut |
|---|---|
| New tab | Ctrl+Shift+T |
| Command palette | Ctrl+Shift+P |
| Close pane or tab | Ctrl+Shift+W |
| Automatic duplicate pane | Alt+Shift+D |
| Vertical pane split | Alt+Shift++ |
| Horizontal pane split | Alt+Shift+- |
Shortcuts can be customized, so your installation may differ if settings were changed.
When Should You Run Terminal as Administrator?
Use elevated Administrator access only when the task requires it. Many commands work in a normal user session.
Running every shell as Administrator increases the impact of mistakes. If a command changes system files, services, security settings or protected registry areas, understand it before running it.
Do Not Paste Unknown Commands From the Internet
Command-line tools are powerful because they can modify the system quickly. That is also why random copy-and-paste commands are risky.
Before running an unfamiliar command, identify what it does, what files or settings it changes and whether it requires elevation. The same caution applies to AI-generated commands; see How to Use AI Safely With Files on Your PC.
Windows Terminal vs PowerShell
Windows Terminal is the window and session manager. PowerShell is a shell and scripting language that runs inside it. You do not need to choose one instead of the other.
A good analogy is that Terminal is the workspace while PowerShell is one of the tools operating inside that workspace.
Windows Terminal vs Command Prompt
The same distinction applies to Command Prompt. CMD is a command interpreter. Terminal is the modern host that can run CMD in a tab or pane.
Troubleshooting Windows Terminal
If Terminal behaves unexpectedly, start with non-destructive checks:
- Install pending Windows and Microsoft Store updates.
- Close and reopen Terminal.
- Test a different profile.
- Temporarily undo recent appearance or key-binding changes.
- Check whether the problem belongs to the shell rather than Terminal itself.
- Review Microsoft’s current Windows Terminal troubleshooting documentation.
If the entire PC is slow or unstable, troubleshoot Windows separately using How to Fix a Windows PC That Keeps Freezing.
Best Setup for Everyday Users
For most people, keep the configuration simple:
- Set Windows Terminal as the default terminal app.
- Use PowerShell as the default profile unless another shell is more appropriate.
- Keep Command Prompt available for legacy instructions.
- Add WSL profiles only if you actually use Linux.
- Use tabs for separate tasks and panes when you need side-by-side output.
- Choose a readable font and high-contrast theme.
- Learn the new-tab, command-palette and pane shortcuts.
Bottom Line
Windows Terminal is one of the most useful built-in-style upgrades to the Windows command-line experience. Its real value is organization: PowerShell, Command Prompt, WSL and remote sessions can live in one clean workspace with tabs, panes and profiles. Start with the graphical Settings interface, learn a handful of shortcuts, and only move into advanced JSON customization when you have a specific reason.
