Windows 10 Terminal: Install and Use Guide

This guide walks you through installing and using the new Windows Terminal on Windows 10. You’ll learn how to get the app, set it up, customize profiles, and use its key features like tabs, panes, and keyboard shortcuts. By the end, you’ll have a modern, more powerful command-line experience.

What You’ll Need

• A PC running Windows 10 version 1903 (May 2019 update) or newer. Earlier versions may not support the Terminal.
• An internet connection to download the app from the Microsoft Store or GitHub.
• Administrator rights on the PC to install the app (unless installing via the Microsoft Store for your user only).

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Microsoft Store. Click the Start button and type “Microsoft Store”. Open the app.
2. Search for Windows Terminal. In the Store’s search bar (top right), type “Windows Terminal” and press Enter. Look for “Windows Terminal” published by Microsoft (the icon is a black square with a white bracket-like symbol).
3. Install it. Click “Get” (or “Install”). The download and installation will start automatically. Wait for it to finish.
4. Launch Windows Terminal. Once installed, click “Launch” in the Store, or search for “Terminal” in the Start menu and open it. The default profile is PowerShell, but you’ll see tabs for Command Prompt and other shells.
5. Open a new tab. Click the down arrow (chevron) next to the + icon in the tab bar. You’ll see a list of available profiles: PowerShell, Command Prompt, and (if installed) Azure Cloud Shell, WSL distros, etc. Click any one to open it in a new tab.
6. Create a split pane. Inside a tab, press Alt+Shift+D to split the pane vertically, or Alt+Shift++ (plus key) to split horizontally. This lets you run multiple shells side-by-side in one tab.
7. Switch between panes. Hold Alt and press an arrow key (←↑→↓) to move focus between panes. Release to keep the focus.
8. Copy and paste. Select text with your mouse to copy it (it’s automatically copied). To paste, right-click anywhere in the terminal, or press Ctrl+Shift+V.
9. Search the terminal output. Press Ctrl+Shift+F to open a search bar. Type what you’re looking for and press Enter to jump to matches.
10. Open settings. Press Ctrl+, (comma) to open the settings.json file in your default text editor (usually Notepad). This file controls all customization.
11. Change the default profile. In settings.json, find the “defaultProfile” line. It will have a GUID like “{574e775e-4f2a-5b96-ac1e-a2962a402336}”. Replace that GUID with the GUID of the profile you want as default (e.g., the Command Prompt GUID). Save the file.
12. Add a custom color scheme. In settings.json, under “schemes”, you can add new color schemes. For example, add a “Campbell” scheme or a custom one. Then set “colorScheme” in a profile to that scheme’s name.
13. Use the command line options. You can launch the Terminal with specific profiles or commands. For example, in a regular Command Prompt, type wt -p "Command Prompt" to open the Terminal with that profile, or wt -d C:\Users to open in a specific directory.

Common Mistakes

• Editing settings.json incorrectly. The file is strict JSON. A missing comma or a misplaced brace will cause the Terminal to fall back to default settings. Always validate your JSON before saving (you can use an online validator).
• Forgetting to save settings.json. The Terminal reads the file only when you save it. After editing, save the file and the Terminal will update automatically (usually within a second).
• Using the wrong GUID. When changing the default profile, make sure you copy the exact GUID from the profile you want. A typo will cause the Terminal to open the first profile in the list.
• Not using the new copy/paste shortcuts. In the old console, right-click pastes. In Windows Terminal, right-click pastes only if text is selected; otherwise, it opens the context menu. Use Ctrl+Shift+V to paste reliably.
• Assuming the Terminal is a new shell. Windows Terminal is a host for existing shells (PowerShell, CMD, WSL). It doesn’t replace them; it gives them a modern interface.

Tips

• Set a transparent background. In settings.json, set “opacity” (e.g., 0.8) and “useAcrylic”: true to get a frosted-glass effect.
• Use the built-in color schemes. The Terminal comes with several schemes like “Campbell”, “One Half Dark”, and “Solarized”. Try them to find one you like.
• Create custom key bindings. In settings.json, under “actions”, you can add shortcuts. For example, to bind Ctrl+1 to open Command Prompt, add: { "command": { "action": "newTab", "profile": "Command Prompt" }, "keys": "ctrl+1" }.
• Use the dropdown menu to manage profiles. The chevron next to the + icon lets you open a profile in a new tab, split pane, or even set it as default from the UI (in newer versions).
• Pin the Terminal to the taskbar. Right-click the Terminal icon in the taskbar and select “Pin to taskbar” for quick access.
• Use the command palette. Press Ctrl+Shift+P to open a command palette where you can type commands like “split pane” or “change theme”.

Troubleshooting

• Terminal won’t install. Make sure your Windows 10 is up to date (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update). If the Store fails, try downloading the .msixbundle from the GitHub releases page and install it by double-clicking.
• Terminal opens but is blank. This often happens if a profile is misconfigured. Try opening settings.json (Ctrl+,) and check for errors. If you can’t open settings, reset the Terminal by going to Settings > Apps > Windows Terminal > Advanced options > Reset.
• Settings.json won’t save. If you get a permission error, close the file and reopen it as administrator (right-click Notepad > Run as administrator, then open the file).
• WSL profile is missing. Ensure WSL is installed and you have at least one distro. If you installed WSL after the Terminal, restart the Terminal. If it still doesn’t appear, add a custom profile manually with the command line wsl.exe.
• Copy/paste not working. Check if you have a selection. If nothing is selected, right-click will paste. If that fails, use Ctrl+Shift+C and Ctrl+Shift+V.
• Fonts look blurry. In settings, try changing the “fontFace” to “Cascadia Mono” (the default) or “Consolas”. Also, ensure your display scaling is set to 100% or a multiple of 100% for crisp text.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Windows Terminal free?

Yes, it’s free and open-source. You can install it from the Microsoft Store or download the source from GitHub.

Can I use Windows Terminal on Windows 10 Home?

Yes, as long as your Windows 10 is version 1903 or later. It works on all editions.

Does Windows Terminal replace PowerShell or Command Prompt?

No, it’s a host application. It runs PowerShell, CMD, WSL, and other shells in tabs and panes. You can still use the old console windows if you prefer.

How do I change the default shell to Command Prompt?

Open settings (Ctrl+,), find the “defaultProfile” line, and replace the GUID with the Command Prompt GUID (which is listed in the “profiles” section). Save the file.

Can I run Linux commands in Windows Terminal?

Yes, if you have WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) installed. The Terminal will automatically detect your WSL distros and add them as profiles.

How do I update Windows Terminal?

If you installed from the Microsoft Store, it updates automatically. If you installed from GitHub, you’ll need to download the new version manually.

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