By default, start in the home folder when opening a linux shell #2462

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opened 2026-01-30 22:55:42 +00:00 by claunia · 2 comments
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Originally created by @djk2004 on GitHub (Jul 1, 2019).

Summary of the new feature/enhancement

When opening a new Linux shell, the starting folder is /mnt/c/WINDOWS/system32. Instead, use the current user's home folder. This would match the current behavior with the legacy console.
Generally, most users would not want to work in the system32 folder. However, starting from the home folder would be expected behavior.

Proposed technical implementation details (optional)

Simply change the default starting path to the user's home folder. This could either be the Windows user's home folder, or the Linux shell home folder at /home/. Alternatively, the profile configuration could also include a property that lets the user set the starting folder per profile.

Originally created by @djk2004 on GitHub (Jul 1, 2019). # Summary of the new feature/enhancement When opening a new Linux shell, the starting folder is /mnt/c/WINDOWS/system32. Instead, use the current user's home folder. This would match the current behavior with the legacy console. Generally, most users would not want to work in the system32 folder. However, starting from the home folder would be expected behavior. # Proposed technical implementation details (optional) Simply change the default starting path to the user's home folder. This could either be the Windows user's home folder, or the Linux shell home folder at _/home/<user>_. Alternatively, the profile configuration could also include a property that lets the user set the starting folder per profile.
claunia added the Area-SettingsIssue-TaskResolution-Duplicate labels 2026-01-30 22:55:42 +00:00
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@Kirlac commented on GitHub (Jul 2, 2019):

#592 discusses the configurability of this

There is also a workaround in the comments for that issue - adding ~ to your wsl commandline setting will start in your linux home dir: https://github.com/microsoft/terminal/issues/592#issuecomment-504947429

I agree it would make sense for profiles.json to include this for WSL by default

@Kirlac commented on GitHub (Jul 2, 2019): #592 discusses the configurability of this There is also a workaround in the comments for that issue - adding `~` to your wsl `commandline` setting will start in your linux home dir: https://github.com/microsoft/terminal/issues/592#issuecomment-504947429 I agree it would make sense for `profiles.json` to include this for WSL by default
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@DHowett-MSFT commented on GitHub (Jul 2, 2019):

Honestly, this should just be a dupe of 592.

@DHowett-MSFT commented on GitHub (Jul 2, 2019): Honestly, this should just be a dupe _of_ 592.
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Reference: starred/terminal#2462