Download Windows Terminal
Windows Terminal provides a tabbed and split-pane environment for command-line tools on Windows. It runs PowerShell, Command Prompt, WSL, and SSH sessions in one window. Users configure profiles, color schemes, keybindings, and background images through a JSON file. The program supports Unicode, emoji, GPU-accelerated rendering, and a command palette. Updates arrive through the Microsoft Store or GitHub.
Windows Terminal targets developers, system administrators, and command-line users who need several shells open simultaneously. It offers tabs, panes, search, scrollback, and window persistence. The settings interface includes search and an actions editor. Support for the Kitty input protocol and ambiguous Unicode width configuration improves compatibility with specialized console programs. The application is available in multiple languages.
Microsoft develops Windows Terminal as a modern replacement for the legacy console host. The project uses C++ and shared components from the Windows Console overhaul. It receives frequent updates with new features, translations, and fixes. Distribution through the Microsoft Store simplifies installation and upgrades. The source code and release notes are published on GitHub for reference and feedback.
Use Cases for Windows Terminal
| Multiple terminal sessions as tabs within single window | Each tab runs distinct shell or profile independently |
| Window divided into horizontal and vertical panes | Parallel monitoring of logs, builds, interactive commands |
| Profile defines shell, directory, icon, colors, fonts | Auto-generated for detected shells, customizable manually |
| Searchable action list invoked by keyboard shortcut | Accesses tab, pane, profile, settings without memorizing keys |
| Settings search field filters options by name and description | Locates parameters across appearance, interaction, profiles |
| Graphical editor customizes keybindings and command actions | Reduces manual JSON editing for common customization tasks |
| All settings stored in structured settings.json file | Supports profiles, schemes, keybindings, experimental features |
| DirectWrite and DirectX rendering display text at high refresh | Handles verbose output with reduced CPU consumption |
| Text buffer stores UTF-16 and UTF-8 simultaneously | Displays CJK glyphs, emoji, configurable ambiguous width |
| Predefined and custom schemes with ANSI palette colors | Themes applied per profile across frame and tab row |
| Background images with configurable opacity and alignment | Acrylic translucency behind terminal surface, appearance only |
| Keyboard shortcuts assignable to tabs, panes, profiles, palette | Bindings support modifiers and context-specific scoping |
| Line-based or block-based selection with configurable trimming | Clipboard interchange through keyboard and mouse actions |
| Search scans scrollback buffer, highlights and navigates matches | Locates errors and specific lines in long command histories |
| Each session retains configurable scrollback lines in memory | Buffer size set per profile, cleared or preserved on exit |
| Remembers window position, size, open tabs between sessions | Persistence optionally includes or excludes scrollback history |
| Kitty protocol distinguishes keys, modifiers, repeat states | Benefits terminal editors and games needing detailed key events |
| ConPTY hosts console programs through pseudoconsole interface | Provides modern rendering, input handling, session management |
| Launched with arguments specifying profile, directory, command | Supports scripting and integration with external tools |
| Interface translated into multiple languages by community | Includes Ukrainian and Serbian Cyrillic, follows system settings |