News

Windows 11 Moving to Windows Terminal as Default Console

Microsoft's open source Windows Terminal app will become the default command-line console in Windows 11, along with opening the operating system up to using other consoles by default, the company announced this week  

Windows Terminal had its debut in 2019 and works on systems running Windows 10 version 18362.0 or higher. It's used to run command-line tools and shells such as "Command Prompt, PowerShell, and WSL [Windows Subsystem for Linux]," per Microsoft's product description. Windows Terminal notably has customization capabilities, such as the ability to keep multiple tabs open, set custom themes, plus specify color preferences for background and text.

Microsoft's announcement explained that its current default terminal in Windows is based on the venerable Windows Console Host, namely conhost.exe. The Windows Console Host is typically used by the command prompt in Windows, as well as by PowerShell.

It's been possible for "third-party" (non-Microsoft) software developers to bring their consoles to Windows, but it wasn't supported by Microsoft. However, "now, we are opening up the functionality to allow for other terminals to be set as default, including Windows Terminal," explained Kayla Cinnamon, program manager II for Windows Terminal, Command Line and Cascadia Code, in the announcement.

Windows Terminal will become the default console application on Windows 11 "over the course of 2022," Cinnamon indicated.

Cinnamon didn't describe the timing for opening up Windows to using alternative consoles by default.


About the Author

Kurt Mackie is senior news producer for 1105 Media's Converge360 group.

Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.

Most   Popular