If you haven’t explored the Windows Terminal yet, it’s time to pay attention. Microsoft has been diligently evolving this command-line interface from a simple utility into a feature-rich tool—yet many users remain unaware of its enhancements.
In fact, the capabilities of Windows Terminal have inspired me to transition from Linux-based systems to Windows for development purposes. Given these advancements, you might want to consider making the switch too.
6 A Significant Revamp Every User Will Appreciate
Windows Terminal Gets the Makeover It Deserves
Yadullah Abidi / MakeUseOf
The most significant upgrade to Windows Terminal is not just aesthetic but functional, especially for those who frequently use it. Microsoft has reengineered the handling of windows and processes; now, all terminal instances operate within a single process. This change drastically improves resource sharing and overall reliability.
Furthermore, the terminal can now run unobtrusively in the background, enhancing the reliability of global hotkeys and improving startup performance. Initiating a new terminal window—known as a “warm start”—feels significantly faster as it doesn’t require launching additional processes. The reduction in inter-process communication further boosts responsiveness and cleanliness of operation.
Users can also appreciate enhancements like GPU-accelerated rendering, better Unicode support, and extensive profile customization options, all contributing to an enriched user experience.
Additional features, such as multi-pane support and a “quake mode”—a nod to classic shooter games—simplify multitasking. I found myself leveraging WSL2 to run an impressive CLI app that outperforms Task Manager, alongside a text-based calendar that’s surprisingly efficient. It’s safe to say that the Windows Terminal now meets and exceeds my development needs.
5 Tab Tearout Makes Its Debut
Because It’s Time for Drag-and-Drop Tabs
While tabs have been integrated into various Microsoft applications like File Explorer and Notepad, the absence of tab tearout functionality in Windows Terminal was notable. This crucial feature, which allows users to drag tabs out and create new windows or combine them, has finally arrived.
Implementing tab tearout necessitated a major codebase overhaul that took years to accomplish. The development team originally took a different technical approach before settling on the current user-friendly implementation. Now, users can effortlessly drag tabs to form new windows or consolidate them into a single window.
4 Self-Generating SSH Profiles
Your New Sysadmin Sidekick
If you frequently SSH into remote servers, this feature could change your workflow entirely. The latest iteration of Windows Terminal includes automatic SSH profile generation. It seamlessly reads your OpenSSH config files and populates profiles for frequently accessed hosts.
This means you can say goodbye to the tedious process of manually editing JSON files; your SSH hosts now appear conveniently in the tab menu, ready for connectivity.
3 Efficient Path Translation
No More File Hunting
One feature that can save users countless hours is path translation. When you drag and drop a file into Windows Terminal, it automatically translates the file paths accordingly. Users can select from multiple translation modes—Windows, WSL, MSYS2, or Cygwin—ensuring compatibility with various shells.
When you drop a file into PowerShell, it converts it to a Windows path, whereas a drop in a WSL bash session gives you a Unix-compatible path. This feature may seem minor, but it significantly reduces the time spent navigating the terminal to execute specific files.
2 An Intuitive Settings Interface
Streamlined Customization Options
Prior to the latest update, customizing Windows Terminal meant wading through a JSON configuration file. Microsoft has eliminated this complexity by introducing a user-friendly settings interface where users can tweak options previously limited to JSON.
Configurations such as bell sounds, compatibility settings, cell dimensions, profile-specific colors, and padding can now be adjusted directly through the settings interface, which features a visual icon picker and drag-and-drop functionality for organizing tabs.
1 Context Menus That Add Genuine Value
Right-Clicking as an Empowering Tool
Right-clicking on a tab in Windows Terminal now prompts a context menu filled with practical options, including splitting panes, moving, zooming, changing tab colors, renaming tabs, and more. Inside the terminal window, right-clicking allows for straightforward text pasting.
Moreover, the terminal has been enhanced with small quality-of-life features such as a search function and the ability to export text to a file, rendering it more accessible to new users who may be hesitant to abandon their mouse. Additionally, there are various apps that can serve as productivity enhancements for regular Windows Terminal users.
The Windows Terminal Is Thriving
With Windows Terminal designated as the default command-line application in Windows 11, Microsoft is clearly committed to its ongoing evolution. The array of features and improvements reflects a dedication to user satisfaction and functionality.
The user experience has improved immensely without necessitating significant changes to established workflows. Users can launch the terminal and continue their work seamlessly, enjoying increased efficiency without the need to relearn old habits.
If it’s been a while since your last update or if you’ve been relying on the outdated console, now is the perfect time to experience the latest enhancements in Windows Terminal. Microsoft has crafted an exceptional tool that truly elevates the command-line experience.
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