Windows Terminal Installation Guide

Installing Windows Terminal

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing and setting up Windows Terminal, a modern, fast, efficient, and powerful terminal application for users who need to work with command-line tools and shells.

Prerequisites

Windows 10 version 1903 (Build 18362) or later, or Windows 11.
An active internet connection for downloading.

Installation Methods

Windows Terminal can be installed through several methods, offering flexibility based on your preference and system configuration.

Method 1: Using the Microsoft Store (Recommended)

The Microsoft Store provides the easiest and most up-to-date way to install Windows Terminal. Updates are handled automatically.

Open the Microsoft Store application on your Windows device. You can find it by searching "Microsoft Store" in the Start Menu.
In the Store's search bar, type "Windows Terminal" and press Enter.
Select the official "Windows Terminal" app from the search results. It should be published by Microsoft Corporation.
Click the Get or Install button.
The Store will download and install Windows Terminal automatically.
Once installed, you can find Windows Terminal in your Start Menu or by searching for it.

Method 2: Using Winget (Command-Line Installer)

For users who prefer the command line, winget, the Windows Package Manager, offers a quick installation.

Open Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt as an administrator.
Execute the following command to install the latest stable version:
```
winget install Microsoft.WindowsTerminal
```
Winget will find, download, and install the application.
Follow any on-screen prompts.

If winget is not found, ensure you have the latest version of the App Installer from the Microsoft Store.

Method 3: Installing from GitHub Releases

You can manually download and install release builds directly from the Windows Terminal GitHub repository. This method is useful for developers or those who need a specific version.

Navigate to the official Windows Terminal GitHub releases page: github.com/microsoft/terminal/releases.
Find the latest stable release (usually marked with "Latest").
Scroll down to the Assets section of the release.
Download the appropriate installer package. For most users, this will be the .msixbundle file (e.g., Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_1.x.x.x_x64.msixbundle).
Once downloaded, double-click the .msixbundle file to launch the installer.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

Post-Installation Configuration

After installing Windows Terminal, you can customize its appearance and behavior to suit your needs.

Accessing Settings

Click the dropdown arrow next to the '+' tab button in Windows Terminal and select Settings. This will open the settings UI, or you can directly edit the settings.json file for advanced customization.

Key Customization Options:

Profiles: Configure default shells (Command Prompt, PowerShell, WSL distributions, Azure Cloud Shell) and their properties.
Appearance: Customize color schemes, fonts, background images, transparency, and tab behavior.
Actions: Define keyboard shortcuts for various terminal operations.

For detailed configuration options and advanced customization, please refer to the Windows Terminal Settings Guide.