Can't run command line programs if COMSPEC is set to wt.exe #10725

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opened 2026-01-31 02:28:34 +00:00 by claunia · 4 comments
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Originally created by @dancojocaru2000 on GitHub (Sep 23, 2020).

Environment

Windows build number: 10.0.19041.0
Windows Terminal version (if applicable): 1.2.2381.0

Steps to reproduce

Set the COMSPEC environment variable to PS > Get-Command wt | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Source

Double click a command line executable from Windows Explorer.

Expected behavior

The program running in Windows Terminal instead of Command Prompt.

Actual behavior

A dialog box shows up saying:

The following argument was not expected: /c
Run with --help for more information.
Originally created by @dancojocaru2000 on GitHub (Sep 23, 2020). <!-- 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 I ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE PROCEEDING: 1. If I delete this entire template and go my own path, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 2. If I list multiple bugs/concerns in this one issue, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 3. If I write an issue that has many duplicates, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement (and without necessarily spending time to find the exact duplicate ID number). 4. If I leave the title incomplete when filing the issue, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 5. If I file something completely blank in the body, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. All good? Then proceed! --> <!-- This bug tracker is monitored by Windows Terminal development team and other technical folks. **Important: When reporting BSODs or security issues, DO NOT attach memory dumps, logs, or traces to Github issues**. Instead, send dumps/traces to secure@microsoft.com, referencing this GitHub issue. If this is an application crash, please also provide a Feedback Hub submission link so we can find your diagnostic data on the backend. Use the category "Apps > Windows Terminal (Preview)" and choose "Share My Feedback" after submission to get the link. Please use this form and describe your issue, concisely but precisely, with as much detail as possible. --> # Environment ```none Windows build number: 10.0.19041.0 Windows Terminal version (if applicable): 1.2.2381.0 ``` # Steps to reproduce Set the COMSPEC environment variable to `PS > Get-Command wt | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Source` Double click a command line executable from Windows Explorer. # Expected behavior The program running in Windows Terminal instead of Command Prompt. # Actual behavior A dialog box shows up saying: ```none The following argument was not expected: /c Run with --help for more information. ```
claunia added the Resolution-Duplicate label 2026-01-31 02:28:34 +00:00
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@zadjii-msft commented on GitHub (Sep 23, 2020):

Why are you changing COMSPEC? I was under the impression that it was always supposed to be the path to a command line shell (specifically cmd.exe), not the path to a terminal

@zadjii-msft commented on GitHub (Sep 23, 2020): Why are you changing COMSPEC? I was under the impression that it was always supposed to be the path to a command line shell (specifically cmd.exe), _not_ the path to a terminal
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@dancojocaru2000 commented on GitHub (Sep 23, 2020):

Because I would want command line executables to open in Windows Terminal, not cmd. A random Google search said that would be a way to do it. I'm not really an expert on this stuff 😅

@dancojocaru2000 commented on GitHub (Sep 23, 2020): Because I would want command line executables to open in Windows Terminal, not cmd. A random Google search said that would be a way to do it. I'm not really an expert on this stuff 😅
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Owner

@zadjii-msft commented on GitHub (Sep 23, 2020):

Well that random Google search was definitely wrong, because that's not currently possible 😄 you'll want to take a look at #492, which covers that exact scenario

/dup #492

@zadjii-msft commented on GitHub (Sep 23, 2020): Well that random Google search was definitely wrong, because that's not currently possible 😄 you'll want to take a look at #492, which covers that exact scenario /dup #492
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@ghost commented on GitHub (Sep 23, 2020):

Hi! We've identified this issue as a duplicate of another one that already exists on this Issue Tracker. This specific instance is being closed in favor of tracking the concern over on the referenced thread. Thanks for your report!

@ghost commented on GitHub (Sep 23, 2020): Hi! We've identified this issue as a duplicate of another one that already exists on this Issue Tracker. This specific instance is being closed in favor of tracking the concern over on the referenced thread. Thanks for your report!
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Reference: starred/terminal#10725