For new Windows scripting and administration, use PowerShell. Use Command Prompt (cmd.exe) when an existing batch file or instruction specifically requires it. Use Windows Terminal when you want a modern window for running either shell—or other command-line apps. They are not three alternatives at the same level: Terminal is a host, while PowerShell and Command Prompt are shells.
What is the difference between a terminal and a shell?
A shell accepts and interprets commands. A terminal provides the interface where a command-line application runs. Windows Terminal is a graphical terminal host; PowerShell and Command Prompt are shells you can run inside it. You can also launch those shells through other supported console hosts.
That distinction makes the choice two questions: which shell understands the commands you need, and which host should display it? Windows Terminal can host PowerShell, Command Prompt, WSL distributions, Azure Cloud Shell, Git Bash, and other command-line applications. Microsoft’s Windows Terminal FAQ explains the shell-versus-terminal distinction.
Which one should you use?
- PowerShell: Choose it for new Windows automation, system administration, and scripts that benefit from cmdlets and an extensible scripting environment. Microsoft recommends PowerShell for robust, up-to-date Windows automation. It can run Windows commands as well as PowerShell cmdlets. Microsoft’s Windows commands reference describes these capabilities.
- Command Prompt (
cmd.exe): Choose it when a guide explicitly calls for CMD, when you need to run an existing.batworkflow, or when a simple legacy command expects the traditional Command shell. It runs Windows commands, but not PowerShell cmdlets. - Windows Terminal: Choose it as the window for your command-line work if you want tabs, panes, multiple profiles, and a customizable interface. Select a PowerShell or Command Prompt profile to run that shell; Terminal itself does not replace it.
How do they compare?
| Option | What it is | Best reason to choose it | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Terminal | Graphical terminal host | Run multiple command-line applications with tabs, panes, profiles, and customization | It hosts a shell or other command-line app; select a profile such as PowerShell or Command Prompt |
| PowerShell | Shell and scripting environment | Modern Windows automation and access to cmdlets alongside Windows commands | Its syntax and command model differ from traditional CMD and batch instructions |
Command Prompt (cmd.exe) |
Traditional Windows command shell | Existing batch scripts and instructions that explicitly require CMD | It does not run PowerShell cmdlets directly |
Terminal and the two shells occupy different layers, so you can use Windows Terminal with either shell. Microsoft’s overview describes Terminal’s supported command-line apps and interface features: An overview on Windows Terminal.
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What can Windows Terminal add to your workflow?
Terminal’s advantage is how it brings command-line applications together, not a different set of shell commands. Its documented features include profiles, tabs, panes, themes, custom shortcuts, Unicode and UTF-8 support, and GPU-accelerated text rendering. Microsoft’s Terminal overview lists these features.
Terminal includes Windows PowerShell, Command Prompt, and Azure Cloud Shell profiles by default. It automatically creates profiles for installed WSL distributions. Microsoft’s Terminal tips and tricks covers the built-in and WSL profiles.
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How do you make Windows Terminal the default?
Default-terminal availability depends on Windows version. Microsoft documents the option on all Windows 11 versions and on Windows 10 version 22H2 after the May 23, 2023 update, KB5026435. In Terminal’s Startup settings, choose the default terminal application separately from the default profile; the profile determines whether a new session opens in PowerShell, Command Prompt, or another configured environment. Check your Windows version and update status if the default-terminal option is unavailable. See Microsoft’s Windows Terminal installation guide for setup details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should you know about elevated tabs?
If you work with administrator-level shells, Windows Terminal cannot mix administrator-level and non-administrator tabs in the same window, according to Microsoft’s FAQ. Keep that constraint in mind when organizing sessions with different privilege levels.
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