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Windows Terminal lets you customize fonts, colors, backgrounds, themes, and keyboard shortcuts for shells such as Command Prompt, PowerShell, and bash through WSL. Start with its Settings interface for profile appearance and application-wide options; use settings.json for custom color schemes, theme definitions, and other settings that are not exposed in the interface.
1. Set a font and choose whether it applies to every profile
Windows Terminal can host different command-line shells in separate profiles. Appearance choices can be made for one profile or set as defaults for profiles, which is useful if you want a consistent look across shells without configuring each one individually.
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- Open Windows Terminal and select the arrow next to the tab bar, then choose Settings.
- Select Defaults to set appearance defaults across profiles, or select a specific profile under Profiles to change only that shell.
- Open Appearance and choose a font face. Pick a size and style that remain comfortable to read in your usual window size.
For a default applied across profiles, Microsoft documents setting fontFace under profiles.defaults in settings.json. Cascadia Code is the documentation’s example value, not a required or exclusive choice. Newly installed WSL distributions can appear as profiles the next time Terminal launches.
2. Choose a color scheme or define your own
A color scheme controls terminal text, background, cursor, selection, and ANSI colors. In Settings, select a profile and open Appearance to choose an available scheme. Judge palettes by whether their text and important colors are easy for you to distinguish, rather than assuming a particular scheme works best for everyone.
#1 Best Overall
- KEYBOARD: The keyboard works for Windows with hot keys that enable easy access to Media, My Computer, Mute, Volume up/down, and Calculator
- EASY SETUP: Experience simple installation with the USB wired connection
- VERSATILE COMPATIBILITY: This keyboard is designed to work with multiple Windows versions, including Vista, 7, 8, 10 offering broad compatibility across devices.
- SLEEK DESIGN: The elegant black color of the wired keyboard complements your tech and decor, adding a stylish and cohesive look to any setup without sacrificing function.
- FULL-SIZED CONVENIENCE: The standard QWERTY layout of this keyboard set offers a familiar typing experience, ideal for both professional tasks and personal use.
Create or edit a scheme in settings.json
To build a palette, open Settings, then select Open JSON file. Add a named scheme to the schemes array and assign it to a profile with its colorScheme value. Microsoft’s guide lists built-in choices including Campbell, One Half Dark, One Half Light, Tango Dark, and Tango Light. A custom scheme uses hexadecimal color strings for its foreground, background, cursor, selection, and ANSI colors.
Save the file to apply the change; Microsoft says saving updates open Terminal windows. The color-scheme guide was last updated on October 6, 2022, so check the current guide if the file structure or labels differ in your installed version: Microsoft’s color scheme documentation. For additional legibility, profile appearance settings include adjustIndistinguishableColors, which can adjust foreground colors for visibility against the background.
Rank #2
- Reliable Plug and Play: The USB receiver provides a reliable wireless connection up to 33 ft (1), so you can forget about drop-outs and delays and you can take it wherever you use your computer
- Type in Comfort: The design of this keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the low-profile, quiet keys and standard layout with full-size F-keys, number pad, and arrow keys
- Durable and Resilient: This full-size wireless keyboard features a spill-resistant design (2), durable keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height
- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
3. Add a profile background image and tune transparency
You can set a background image for an individual profile, so one shell can use an image while another keeps a plain background. A restrained image is usually easier to work with than a busy one; make sure command text remains clearly visible.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- In Settings, choose the profile you want to change under Profiles, then open Appearance.
- Set the background image and adjust its opacity and stretch behavior to suit the image and window.
- Adjust profile opacity as needed. Microsoft documents a value from
0to100, with100fully opaque.
With acrylic enabled, the window uses an acrylic background. Microsoft notes that unblurred opacity with useAcrylic set to false works only on Windows 11. Background images and icons can also be set per command-line profile. See Microsoft’s profile appearance settings for the related options.
Rank #3
- All-day Comfort: The design of this standard keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the deep-profile keys and full-size standard layout with F-keys and number pad
- Easy to Set-up and Use: Set-up couldn't be easier, you simply plug in this corded keyboard via USB on your desktop or laptop and start using right away without any software installation
- Compatibility: This full-size keyboard is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10 or later, plus it's a reliable and durable partner for your desk at home, or at work
- Spill-proof: This durable keyboard features a spill-resistant design (1), anti-fade keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height, meaning this keyboard is built to last
- Plastic parts in K120 include 51% certified post-consumer recycled plastic*
4. Set the application theme and make tabs easier to use
Profile appearance and the application theme are separate layers: a profile can have its own font, colors, and background, while the application theme affects Terminal’s surrounding interface. In Settings, open Appearance to choose a system-following, dark, or light theme. The system option follows Windows; a fixed dark or light choice keeps Terminal’s interface in that mode.
The same appearance settings let you control tab visibility, title display, tab width, and animations. Choose a tab width based on what you need to see at a glance:
Rank #4
- Fluid Typing Experience: Laptop-like profile with spherically-dished keys shaped for your fingertips delivers a fast, fluid, precise and quieter typing experience
- Automate Repetitive Tasks: Easily create and share time-saving Smart Actions shortcuts to perform multiple actions with a single keystroke with the Logi Options+ app (1)
- Smarter Illumination: Backlit keyboard keys light up as your hands approach and adapt to the environment; Now with more lighting customizations on Logi Options+ (1)
- More Comfort, Deeper Focus: Work for longer with a solid build, low-profile design and an optimum keyboard angle that is better for your wrist posture
- Multi-Device, Multi OS Bluetooth Keyboard: Pair with up to 3 devices on nearly any operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, Googlebook OS) via Bluetooth Low Energy or included Logi Bolt USB receiver (2)
- Equal: keeps tabs the same width.
- Title length: gives tabs room according to their titles, making profiles easier to identify when space permits.
- Compact: reduces tab width to preserve more room for open tabs.
Custom theme definitions can style the window, tab row, and tabs, but Microsoft currently documents editing those definitions directly in settings.json, not through Settings. The theme documentation labels these controls as preview, so their availability can depend on your installed Terminal version. Window border colors are available only on Windows 11. Check the appearance settings documentation and the theme documentation before editing theme definitions.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute5. Change keyboard shortcuts to match your workflow
Terminal actions have keyboard shortcuts, and you can change a binding if the default conflicts with a shortcut you already use or feels inconvenient. For example, Microsoft lists Ctrl+Shift+C as the default copy shortcut.
Best Value
- All-day Comfort: This USB keyboard creates a comfortable and familiar typing experience thanks to the deep-profile keys and standard full-size layout with all F-keys, number pad and arrow keys
- Built to Last: The spill-proof (2) design and durable print characters keep you on track for years to come despite any on-the-job mishaps; it’s a reliable partner for your desk at home, or at work
- Long-lasting Battery Life: A 24-month battery life (4) means you can go for 2 years without the hassle of changing batteries of your wireless full-size keyboard
- Simply plug the USB receiver into a USB port on your desktop, laptop or netbook computer and start using the keyboard right away without any software installation
- Simply Wireless: Forget about drop-outs and delays thanks to a strong, reliable wireless connection with up to 33 ft range (5); K270 is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10 or later
- Open Settings and select Actions (called Keybindings in some versions).
- Find the action you want to change and edit its key binding, or add a binding for an available action.
- Save the change and try the shortcut in a terminal tab.
Labels and available actions can vary by version. Consult Microsoft’s actions and key bindings guide for the current options, rather than relying on an old shortcut list.
Quick Recap
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