Microsoft to set Windows Terminal as default console in Windows 11

Microsoft is working on making Windows Terminal the default terminal emulator program in Windows 11 instead of the Windows Console Host, starting next year.

Windows Terminal was unveiled by Redmond at the Build developer conference in May 2019 and was officially launched two months later, in July 2019.

Unlike the current default app, the Windows Terminal app comes with support for multiple console tabs in a single window and choosing between the cmd shell, PowerShell, and Linux distro shells installed via the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

In May 2021, Microsoft added support for setting Windows Terminal as the default terminal app in Windows Insider builds, an option that was later ported to Windows 11.

"Over the course of 2022, we are planning to make Windows Terminal the default experience on Windows 11 devices," Windows Terminal Program Manager Kayla Cinnamon said.

"On Windows 11, you are able to set Windows Terminal as your default experience. This setting can be found in multiple places: inside the Developer settings page of Windows settings, inside Windows Terminal’s settings on the Startup page, and inside the Windows Console Host property sheet."

Microsoft will start rolling out the new default terminal option with the Windows Insider Program, slowly moving through release rings until the Windows Terminal becomes the default terminal app on all Windows 11 systems.

To track Windows Terminal's development process and file feature requests, you can follow the project's GitHub repository.

"We would love to have your feedback while we are working on this to help iron out all of the bugs and ensure everyone has a great experience with Terminal," Cinnamon added.

Microsoft to set Windows Terminal as default console in Windows 11