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Windows Terminal

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description Windows Terminal Overview

Windows Terminal has rapidly become the preferred terminal emulator for Windows users. It offers a modern, tabbed interface, support for multiple shells (PowerShell, Command Prompt, WSL), and customizable themes. Its tight integration with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) makes it an invaluable tool for developers working with Linux environments. Microsoft's continued development and support ensure it remains a cutting-edge terminal experience.

The ability to create custom profiles for different shells and environments is a significant advantage.

help Windows Terminal FAQ

Why did Microsoft create Windows Terminal when Command Prompt already existed?

Windows Terminal was built as a modern host for shells such as PowerShell, Command Prompt, Azure Cloud Shell, and WSL distributions. Microsoft released Windows Terminal 1.0 in 2020 after a public preview period.

Can Windows Terminal run Ubuntu through WSL?

Yes. If Ubuntu or another Linux distribution is installed through Windows Subsystem for Linux, Windows Terminal can open it as a profile in its own tab.

What is stored in Windows Terminal's settings file?

The settings JSON controls profiles, colors, keybindings, default shell, startup behavior, fonts, and actions. That is why developers often version or copy their Windows Terminal settings between machines.

Does Windows Terminal replace PowerShell?

No. Windows Terminal is the terminal emulator, while PowerShell is one of the shells that can run inside it. The same window can also host cmd.exe, WSL, and other command-line tools.

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