The Windows Terminal works as a cross-command-line tool platform for PC users. You can instantaneously use different command-line tools or profiles within this app. In this post, we will show you how to use Windows Terminal in Windows 11/10.
How to use the Windows Terminal
The WindowsTerminal app is now baked into the Windows 10 operating system and is generally available for everyone. Windows Terminal can be installed or updated via Microsoft Store, as required.
We’ll explore this topic under the methods outlined below in this section as follows.
Open Windows Terminal
To open WindowsTerminal on your Windows device, you can use Windows Search or use Cortana to locate and open it. You can also use the right-click context menu to open an item in the Terminal. The Open in Windows Terminal option will be appearing on supported items only. It will help you to quickly access the Terminal app.
The quickest approach to open Windows Terminal if you use it frequently is to Pin Windows Terminal to Taskbar as the first item. You could then press Win+Ctrl+Shift+1 keyboard shortcut combination to open WindowsTerminal with admin privilege.
You can also launch Windows Terminal from the Command Prompt or via the Windows Run dialog – to do this simply open CMD prompt OR press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog box, and then type wt and hit Enter.
Another way to launch the Terminal app in Windows 10 is to invoke the Run dialog, and then type or copy and paste the environment variable below into the box and hit Enter.
%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\WindowsApps\wt.exe
Switching between different profiles in WindowsTerminal
The Windows Terminal app opens with a Windows PowerShell profile by default. If you click the plus (+) sign, another Windows PowerShell tab will open.
To switch to other profiles, such as Command Prompt etc., you can click on the chevron (the downward-facing arrowhead) over the Tab bar and click the profile you want to switch.
This post will show you how to use the Search function in Windows Terminal.
Read: How to run a Profile as Administrator in Windows Terminal
Change WindowsTerminal settings
You can customize the Windows Terminal app to your liking. You can click on the chevron over the Tab bar and select Settings. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+, key combination.
Using command palette
You can use the command palette to summon a list of commands. There is no need to memorize complex shortcuts! You can invoke the command palette by typing Ctrl+Shift+P or access it via Terminal settings (Down arrow).
In the Terminal Settings tab, you can personalize your preferences like changing the cursor shape, enabling a Transparent Background, setting a Background Image, changing font size and font-weight, changing the Default Shell and save them.
Troubleshoot Windows Terminal problems
If the Terminal app is not working due to heavy customizations or you just want the default settings back, you can reset Windows Terminal via its Settings page or since Terminal app is a UWP app, you can also reset the app via the Settings app on your Windows PC. Alternatively, you can reset the Terminal app using PowerShell.
Other troubleshooting you can try is to sign out of Windows and then sign in the back or restart your system.
If nothing helps you can always uninstall and reinstall Windows Terminal.
Want more? Take a look at this Windows Terminal Tips and Tricks post.
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