Guide · Open source

How to use Windows Terminal: install, tabs and shells

Updated 2026-10-29 · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Windows Terminal is a tabbed command-line application for Windows that runs multiple shells such as PowerShell, Command Prompt and WSL side by side. This guide is for people who use the Windows command line regularly and want something more capable than the old console window. By the end you will know what it needs, how to install it, and how to get started with tabs and shells.

Windows Terminalmicrosoft/terminal · ★ 105k · MIT Install options & downloads

Quick start

1Confirm your Windows version. Make sure you run Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later, as the README requires.
2Open a terminal with winget available. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt on your Windows machine.
3Run the install command. Enter winget install --id Microsoft.WindowsTerminal -e and wait for the install to finish.
4Launch Windows Terminal. Open the app from the Start menu after installation completes.
5Open additional shells in tabs. Use the app to open PowerShell, Command Prompt or WSL in new tabs.
6Keep it updated. If you installed through the Microsoft Store, updates arrive automatically. Manual installs need you to install new releases yourself.

Check the requirements before you install

Windows Terminal requires Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later. Older Windows 10 builds are not supported by the project's README.

The project is Windows-specific, so it is not an option on macOS or Linux.

Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later

Install Windows Terminal with winget

The source lists several install methods. The Microsoft Store is the project's recommended route, since it updates the app automatically. For a command-line install, use the Windows Package Manager (winget) with the package ID Microsoft.WindowsTerminal.

Other options named in the README are downloading the msixbundle from the GitHub Releases page, Chocolatey (unofficial) and Scoop (unofficial). Manual installs do not auto-update.

Microsoft Store: recommended, with automatic upgrades
winget: installs the latest stable release
GitHub Releases: manual msixbundle download, no auto-update
Chocolatey and Scoop: unofficial community packages

winget install --id Microsoft.WindowsTerminal -e

Open and use tabs

Windows Terminal is a tabbed application. Each tab can run a different shell, such as PowerShell, Command Prompt or WSL, so you can switch between them without opening separate windows.

The README highlights tabs, rich text, globalization, configurability and theming as core features. Check the official documentation at learn.microsoft.com/windows/terminal for the keyboard shortcuts and settings for your version.

Open PowerShell, Command Prompt or WSL in separate tabs
Use the app's configurability and theming options to change its look
Read the official Windows Terminal documentation for shortcuts and settings

Know the difference between the app and the console host

This repository holds two things: the Windows Terminal application and the source for conhost.exe, the original Windows console host. The README says the console host code here is the actual source Windows builds conhost.exe from.

If you only want to use the app, you do not need to build anything from this source. Building is mainly for developers who want to read or contribute to the code.

Try Windows Terminal Canary or Preview

Windows Terminal Canary is a nightly build from the main branch. It is the least stable option and is meant for trying new features early. The README notes that the App Installer version of Canary only works on Windows 11, while the Portable ZIP works on Windows 10 (19041+) and Windows 11.

Portable ZIP builds do not update automatically, so you must download new releases yourself.

Canary: nightly, least stable, App Installer (Windows 11 only) or Portable ZIP
Portable ZIP: no automatic updates or update checks

What people use it for

Running PowerShell and WSL in tabs within one window for daily development work
Keeping Command Prompt open alongside other shells for older scripts
Reading the console host source in this repository to learn how the Windows console works
Contributing fixes or features to the Windows Terminal codebase

Frequently asked questions

Is Windows Terminal free?

Yes, the repository is licensed under MIT, which is an open-source licence. The README describes it as an open-source project, and the source is available in the repo.

What do I need to run Windows Terminal?

You need Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later. The README states this as the minimum requirement.

How do I install Windows Terminal with winget?

Run winget install --id Microsoft.WindowsTerminal -e in PowerShell or Command Prompt. The README notes that the latest stable release needs a recent WinGet client.

Does Windows Terminal update automatically?

Yes, if you install it from the Microsoft Store. Manual installs from GitHub Releases do not update automatically, so you must install new builds yourself.

Can I use Windows Terminal on macOS or Linux?

No. The README describes this as a Windows-specific project, so it is not meant for macOS or Linux.

How does it compare with Alacritty, WezTerm, Tabby or ConEmu?

Those are other terminal applications, and this source does not compare them. Windows Terminal is built for Windows and supports PowerShell, Command Prompt and WSL in tabs. Pick the one whose features and platform fit your needs.

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Our verdict

Windows Terminal suits Windows users who work in the command line daily and want tabs, rich text and several shells in one app. It is not for macOS or Linux users, for people on Windows 10 builds older than 2004, or for anyone who only wants the app and has no interest in source code.

Install options & downloads