Windows Terminal review
A free, open-source Windows terminal with tabs, panes, profiles, and automation.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Windows Terminal is Microsoft’s open-source terminal application for running command-line shells and applications on Windows. It is aimed at users who move between PowerShell, Command Prompt, Windows Subsystem for Linux distributions, Azure Cloud Shell, Git Bash, OpenSSH, and other command-line tools. Multiple profiles let users organize these environments in one application, while tabs and horizontal or vertical split panes support concurrent sessions. Unicode and UTF-8 character support also make it suitable for varied command-line workflows.
The strongest fit is its breadth within the Windows ecosystem. A single terminal can host Microsoft shells, WSL environments, Git Bash, Azure Cloud Shell, and SSH connections, while profiles can be customized with color schemes, themes, backgrounds, and keyboard shortcuts. GPU-accelerated text rendering is included, and wt.exe provides command-line controls for launching configured sessions and automating terminal workflows. Together, these features make Windows Terminal more adaptable than a basic single-shell window, particularly for users who regularly switch between local and remote command-line environments.
Windows Terminal is also a straightforward choice on cost and platform scope: it is free, open source, and supported on Windows. Its main limitation is that the product is designed around the Windows desktop ecosystem, so users who need the same terminal experience across other operating systems should choose an alternative. It is best suited to people who want one configurable host for several shells and tools; users seeking broader, non-Windows coverage or tooling beyond terminal sessions may need a different product.
Windows Terminal pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Hosts PowerShell, Command Prompt, WSL, Git Bash, and Azure Cloud Shell
- Tabs, split panes, profiles, themes, shortcuts, and customizable backgrounds
- GPU-accelerated rendering, SSH profiles, and wt.exe command-line automation
- Where it doesn't
- Runs on Windows rather than across multiple operating systems
- Its value depends on working primarily with command-line tools
- Profile and layout customization may require workflow configuration
Windows Terminal fact sheet, pricing and score →
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