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For most Windows 11 and Windows 10 users, install Windows Terminal from the Microsoft Store: Microsoft recommends this route because it delivers automatic updates. If the Store is unavailable, use the official GitHub releases page and check manually for updates.

As of October 7, 2026, Microsoft lists Windows Terminal v1.25.2733.0 as the stable release and Windows Terminal Preview v1.26.2734.0 as a prerelease. These version numbers can change; check the official releases page for the current listing.

Choose the release channel

Windows Terminal is an app that hosts command-line shells such as Command Prompt, PowerShell, and bash through Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). It is not itself a shell. It supports multiple tabs and panes, Unicode and UTF-8, GPU-accelerated text rendering, and customization of themes, colors, backgrounds, text, and shortcuts. See Microsoft’s Windows Terminal overview.

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Channel What it is for Release listed on October 7, 2026
Windows Terminal Stable public release; the usual choice for dependable general use. v1.25.2733.0, marked “Latest” by Microsoft.
Windows Terminal Preview Try features while they are being developed and tested, before they are considered for the stable release. v1.26.2734.0, marked as a prerelease by Microsoft.

Microsoft says Preview features typically move to stable after about a month, though timing can vary. Choose stable unless you specifically want to try in-development features. The stable release notes for v1.25.2733.0 say, “Terminal 1.25 is finally stable!”

Install Windows Terminal from Microsoft Store

  1. Open Microsoft Store in Windows.
  2. Search for Windows Terminal.
  3. Choose the stable public Windows Terminal listing, rather than Windows Terminal Preview, and install it.
  4. Open Windows Terminal from the Start menu after installation.

Microsoft’s Windows Terminal FAQ calls the Store the recommended installation method because it provides automatic updates when they are released.

Install from GitHub if the Store is unavailable

  1. Open Microsoft’s Windows Terminal installation guide and follow its link to the official GitHub releases page.
  2. Choose a stable Windows Terminal release, not a Preview prerelease.
  3. Download and run the installer provided for that release, following the prompts shown in Windows.
  4. To update later, revisit the releases page and check for a newer stable version; a GitHub installation does not update automatically.

Other option: install with WinGet

Microsoft also lists Windows Package Manager (WinGet) as an alternative installation method. WinGet can install an app by name or package ID and supports selecting a version; if no version is specified, it installs the highest-versioned application available to WinGet. Microsoft’s documentation does not establish the Terminal-specific package ID here, so do not guess a command or ID. Confirm the current package details through Microsoft’s Terminal product repository before running an install command. See Microsoft’s WinGet install command documentation.

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Which download route should you use?

Route Store access needed? Automatic updates What to expect
Microsoft Store Yes Yes Recommended by Microsoft; install the stable listing for the usual release.
GitHub releases No No Use the official releases page, select stable, and check manually for later releases.
WinGet No Store installation required Not established by the cited installation guidance An official alternative; verify the exact Terminal package identifier before installing.

Release labels and version numbers may change after the date checked above. Microsoft’s release listing is the place to verify which stable version is marked Latest and whether a Preview prerelease is available.

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 2
Dell Latitude 5420 14' FHD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-1145G7, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Camera, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
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Best Value
Windows 11 Laptop with i3 Processor 15.6" Work Laptop for College Students
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