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The old black command window feels cramped, and switching between PowerShell and Command Prompt is a chore. This windows terminal download for pc guide shows you how to get Microsoft’s modern terminal app, how to install it on Windows 10 and Windows 11, and how to open your first tab. It puts every shell in one clean window.
What Is Windows Terminal?
Windows Terminal is a free terminal app made by Microsoft. It replaces the old console window with a modern app that supports tabs, split panes, and custom themes. You can run PowerShell, Command Prompt, and Windows Subsystem for Linux side by side in one window, and switch between them in a single click.
The app is open source, and Microsoft builds it in public on GitHub. That means it gets regular updates, and developers can suggest fixes and new features. It renders text with GPU acceleration, so scrolling through long output feels smooth. If you work with the command line at all, this is the terminal Windows should have had years ago.
Key Features
- Tabbed interface: open PowerShell, Command Prompt, and Linux shells in tabs in one window.
- Split panes: divide a tab into two or more panes and watch two shells at once.
- Custom themes: change colours, fonts, and background images to suit your taste.
- GPU-accelerated text: scroll long output smoothly with fast, modern text rendering.
- Unicode and emoji: see special characters, symbols, and emoji correctly in the terminal.
- Quake mode: drop the terminal down from the top of the screen with a hotkey.
- Open source: free code on GitHub, with regular updates from Microsoft and the community.
System Requirements
- Operating system: Windows 10 version 1903 or later, or Windows 11 (64-bit)
- Processor: any modern CPU
- RAM: 2 GB minimum; 4 GB is better
- Storage: around 100 MB for the app
- Internet: needed to download the app from GitHub or the Microsoft Store
- Display: any screen resolution
Windows Terminal Download for PC: Official Method
Always get the program from the official source so you receive the genuine, untouched software. Follow these steps:
- Open your browser and go to the Download Windows Terminal from the official website.
- On the GitHub page, click Releases on the right side of the page.
- Open the latest release and find the .msixbundle file in the assets list.
- Download the .msixbundle file and save it to your Downloads folder.
Avoid third-party download sites that bundle extra software. The official website above is the only source you need.
The whole windows terminal download for pc process usually takes only a few minutes on a normal broadband connection. Once the file is saved on your computer, you can install it whenever you are ready.
Step-by-Step Installation
- Open your Downloads folder and double-click the .msixbundle file you downloaded.
- Click Install when the Windows app installer window appears.
- Wait for the app to install, which usually takes under a minute.
- Click Launch, or open Windows Terminal from the Start menu.
- On the first launch, Windows Terminal opens a PowerShell tab by default.
- Click the small arrow next to the plus button to pick another shell.
- Open Settings from the same menu to change your theme and font.
- Close the settings tab and start typing your first command.
How to Open Your First Tab in Windows Terminal
Open Windows Terminal and type a simple command, such as Get-Date in PowerShell, then press Enter to see the result. Press Ctrl + Shift + T to open a new tab, and click the arrow beside the plus button to choose Command Prompt or a Linux shell. Press Alt + Shift + D to split the tab into two panes, so you can run two commands side by side. When you are done, close a tab with Ctrl + Shift + W. If you have just completed the windows terminal download for pc and installation above, you are ready to begin.
- Open Windows Terminal from the Start menu.
- Type Get-Date in the PowerShell tab and press Enter.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + T to open a new tab.
- Click the arrow beside the plus button and pick Command Prompt.
- Press Alt + Shift + D to split the tab into two panes.
- Type a command in each pane and compare the output.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + W to close a tab when you finish.
Is Windows Terminal Free? The Price Explained
Yes, Windows Terminal is completely free. It is made by Microsoft and released as open-source software, so there is no paid version, no trial, and no locked feature. You can download it from GitHub or the Microsoft Store, and updates arrive free through the Store or new GitHub releases. There is no trial clock on this windows terminal download for pc, and no feature that stops working after a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windows Terminal safe to install?
Yes, when you download it from the official GitHub page or the Microsoft Store. It is made by Microsoft, and the official release contains no extra software.
Does Windows Terminal replace Command Prompt?
No. It is a window that hosts Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Linux shells. The shells themselves stay the same; only the window is better.
Does Windows Terminal work on Windows 10?
Yes. It needs Windows 10 version 1903 or later, and it runs on Windows 11 too.
Can I use Windows Terminal with Linux?
Yes. If you have Windows Subsystem for Linux installed, its shells appear in the profile menu automatically.
Is Windows Terminal really free?
Yes. It is open-source software from Microsoft, free to download and free to use, with no paid edition.
Conclusion
Windows Terminal gives the command line the modern window it deserves, with tabs, split panes, and themes that make daily shell work far nicer. It is free, made by Microsoft, and open source. Get it only from the official GitHub page linked in this guide, follow the steps above, and your command line will feel new again. For a safe windows terminal download for pc, stick to the official link in this guide and ignore mirror sites that bundle extras.
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