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How to change the default terminal #9978

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opened 2026-01-31 02:08:53 +00:00 by claunia · 5 comments
claunia commented 2026-01-31 02:08:53 +00:00
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Originally created by @Vurmiraaz on GitHub (Aug 3, 2020).

Set the command prompt as the default terminal

I am new to use Windows Terminal, and I find that when I open a new terminal, it is the Windows Powershell. But actually, I prefer to use the command prompt. However, I don't know how to change the default terminal. I read the document, but I found nothing about it in the document. Can someone tell me how to set the command prompt as the default terminal instead of Windows Powershell?

Originally created by @Vurmiraaz on GitHub (Aug 3, 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! --> # **Set the command prompt as the default terminal** I am new to use Windows Terminal, and I find that when I open a new terminal, it is the Windows Powershell. But actually, I prefer to use the command prompt. However, I don't know how to change the default terminal. I read the document, but I found nothing about it in the document. Can someone tell me how to set the command prompt as the default terminal instead of Windows Powershell?
claunia commented 2026-01-31 02:08:55 +00:00
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@zadjii-msft commented on GitHub (Aug 3, 2020):

Wait are you talking about changing the default shell on the Win+X menu?

image

You might find this helpful.

@zadjii-msft commented on GitHub (Aug 3, 2020): Wait are you talking about changing the default shell on the Win+X menu? ![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/18356694/89192545-3b845780-d56a-11ea-9c8c-8f4f8594287e.png) You might find [this](https://www.google.com/search?q=win+x+command+prompt) helpful.
claunia commented 2026-01-31 02:08:55 +00:00
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@zadjii-msft commented on GitHub (Aug 3, 2020):

Or are you talking about changing the defaultProfile of the Windows Terminal? From the docs:

To customize the settings of your Windows Terminal, select Settings in the dropdown menu. This will open the settings.json file in your default text editor. (The default text editor is defined in your Windows settings.)

Default profile

Set the default profile that opens by typing ctrl+shift+t, typing the key binding assigned to newTab, running wt new-tab without specifying a profile, or clicking the '+' icon.

Property name: defaultProfile

@zadjii-msft commented on GitHub (Aug 3, 2020): Or are you talking about changing the `defaultProfile` of the Windows Terminal? From [the docs](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/terminal/customize-settings/global-settings): > To customize the settings of your Windows Terminal, select Settings in the dropdown menu. This will open the `settings.json` file in your default text editor. (The default text editor is defined in your Windows settings.) > ### Default profile > Set the default profile that opens by typing <kbd>ctrl+shift+t</kbd>, typing the key binding assigned to `newTab`, running `wt new-tab` without specifying a profile, or clicking the '+' icon. > > Property name: `defaultProfile`
claunia commented 2026-01-31 02:08:55 +00:00
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@JanAnders commented on GitHub (Aug 3, 2020):

Seeing that you are still in school, you may have never worked with config files before and this may seem a bit strange at first, but you'll get the hang of it eventually. Follow these instructions.

Open the terminal settings file by hitting Ctrl + , or select "Settings" in the dropdown menu. A text file will open.

See the line where it says "defaultProfile"? It is the guid (the random string of letters) inside the curly brackets that you want to change to the guid of the profile (e.g. power shell, cmd, azure shell, ...) that is opened when opening a new terminal tab.

In the settings document, scroll down to the "profiles" section. If you have changed no other settings, this should be only a few lines below. Search for the profile of the Command Prompt (where "commandline": "cmd.exe") and copy the value of the "guid" parameter. Overwrite the value of the defaultProfile above with this string.

Save your changes by hitting Ctrl + s. Now any new tab you open should be the command prompt.

@JanAnders commented on GitHub (Aug 3, 2020): Seeing that you are still in school, you may have never worked with config files before and this may seem a bit strange at first, but you'll get the hang of it eventually. Follow these instructions. Open the terminal settings file by hitting Ctrl + , or select "Settings" in the dropdown menu. A text file will open. See the line where it says "defaultProfile"? It is the guid (the random string of letters) inside the curly brackets that you want to change to the guid of the profile (e.g. power shell, cmd, azure shell, ...) that is opened when opening a new terminal tab. In the settings document, scroll down to the "profiles" section. If you have changed no other settings, this should be only a few lines below. Search for the profile of the Command Prompt (where "commandline": "cmd.exe") and copy the value of the "guid" parameter. Overwrite the value of the defaultProfile above with this string. Save your changes by hitting Ctrl + s. Now any new tab you open should be the command prompt.
claunia commented 2026-01-31 02:08:55 +00:00
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@Vurmiraaz commented on GitHub (Aug 4, 2020):

@zadjii-msft Well, I meant change the defaultProfile of the Windows Terminal.
I thought this setting should be called ''defaultTerminal'' or something like this.

@Vurmiraaz commented on GitHub (Aug 4, 2020): @zadjii-msft Well, I meant **change the defaultProfile of the Windows Terminal**. I thought this setting should be called ''defaultTerminal'' or something like this.
claunia commented 2026-01-31 02:08:56 +00:00
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@Vurmiraaz commented on GitHub (Aug 4, 2020):

@JanAnders Thank you! Your way really works. Well, I have worked with config files before ( also JSON ). It is the settings.json of Visual Studio Code. But VSC has a GUI page for the ''Settings'' command. When I clicked the ''Settings'' in Windows Terminal for the first time, I felt surprised because no settings window showed in my screen, but a VSC window opening the settings.json. So I think I will open another issue asking for a GUI to edit settings. Thank you for telling me how to config the defaultProfile.

@Vurmiraaz commented on GitHub (Aug 4, 2020): @JanAnders Thank you! Your way really works. Well, I have worked with config files before ( also JSON ). It is the settings.json of Visual Studio Code. But VSC has a GUI page for the ''Settings'' command. When I clicked the ''Settings'' in Windows Terminal for the first time, I felt surprised because no settings window showed in my screen, but a VSC window opening the settings.json. So I think I will open another issue asking for a GUI to edit settings. Thank you for telling me how to config the defaultProfile.
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