Windows Terminal
What Windows Terminal is
Windows Terminal is a free Windows host application for command-line shells such as Command Prompt, PowerShell, and bash through WSL. It places multiple shells in one window with tabs and split panes, allowing sessions to run side by side. Profiles cover PowerShell, Command Prompt, Azure Cloud Shell, WSL distributions, and Git Bash, while installed WSL distributions are detected automatically. You can customize themes, text, colors, backgrounds, and keyboard shortcuts. GPU rendering supports Unicode and UTF-8 characters. Tabs can be torn out into new windows or dragged into existing windows. An Azure Cloud Shell profile is included, and saved Azure credentials can speed sign-in. Windows Terminal is available through the Microsoft Store, GitHub releases, winget, Chocolatey, and Scoop. The Store MSIX package updates automatically; GitHub installations do not. An unpackaged ZIP supports portable mode. The repository states that Windows 10 version 2004, build 19041, or later is required.
Who it suits
Windows users who work with Command Prompt, PowerShell, WSL, Azure Cloud Shell, Git Bash, or other command-line applications may find Windows Terminal suitable. It is designed for people who want multiple shell sessions and configurable tabs or panes.
What it does well
- Free Windows command-line host
- Tabs and split panes
- GPU rendering for Unicode and UTF-8
- Automatic WSL profile detection
- Portable ZIP mode available
What to know first
- Windows-only platform
- Requires Windows 10 version 2004 or later
- GitHub installations do not auto-update
- Cannot mix administrator and non-administrator shells
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Terminal | Microsoft Store or GitHub distribution · GitHub installation does not automatically update | Free |
As learn.microsoft.com lists them, read 2 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Windows Terminal combines several Windows command-line environments with tabs, panes, profiles, and customization. Choose the distribution carefully if automatic updates or portable use matters.
Facts from Windows Terminal's own pages
- Administrator security limit
- Windows Terminal does not support mixing administrator-level and non-administrator shells in tabs within the same window, citing security concerns. · learn.microsoft.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Azure integration
- Windows Terminal includes an Azure Cloud Shell profile and can save Azure credentials for quicker Cloud Shell sign-in. · learn.microsoft.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Users can customize themes, text, colors, backgrounds, and keyboard shortcuts. · learn.microsoft.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · learn.microsoft.com, 20 Sept 2026
- GPU acceleration
- Yes · learn.microsoft.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Redmond, Washington, United States · learn.microsoft.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Installation
- Windows Terminal is available through the Microsoft Store and GitHub releases, with package-manager options including winget, Chocolatey, and Scoop. · learn.microsoft.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Portable mode
- The unpackaged ZIP distribution supports portable mode, which stores settings and runtime state alongside the application. · learn.microsoft.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Windows Terminal is a host application for command-line shells such as Command Prompt, PowerShell, and bash through WSL. · learn.microsoft.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Rendering and characters
- Windows Terminal supports Unicode and UTF-8 characters and uses the GPU to render text. · learn.microsoft.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Scripting API
- Yes · learn.microsoft.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Shell profiles
- It supports command-line applications including PowerShell, Command Prompt, Azure Cloud Shell, WSL distributions, and Git Bash. · learn.microsoft.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Split panes
- Yes · learn.microsoft.com, 20 Sept 2026
- SSH support
- Yes · learn.microsoft.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Support and feedback
- The installation guide directs users to troubleshooting documentation and the GitHub page for reporting bugs or requesting features. · learn.microsoft.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Windows · learn.microsoft.com, 20 Sept 2026
- System requirements
- The project repository states that Windows Terminal requires Windows 10 version 2004, build 19041, or later. · github.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Tab management
- Users can tear tabs out into new windows and drag tabs into existing windows. · learn.microsoft.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Tabs and panes
- It supports multiple tabs and panes, including running multiple shells side by side. · learn.microsoft.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Updates
- The packaged distribution installed through the MSIX bundle automatically updates through the Store; GitHub installations do not automatically update. · learn.microsoft.com, 2 Oct 2026
- WSL integration
- Windows Terminal automatically detects installed WSL distributions and creates profiles for them. · learn.microsoft.com, 2 Oct 2026
Where Windows Terminal stands on Freedom251
- Terminal apps#9 of 41
- Terminal Emulators#36 of 40