How to Change the Default Terminal Application in Windows 11

Starting with Windows 11 version 22H2, Microsoft established modern Windows Terminal as the operating system’s default command-line experience. When you launch Command Prompt, PowerShell, WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), or run an automated batch script, Windows opens the session inside a modern, tabbed, GPU-accelerated Windows Terminal window.

While Windows Terminal offers custom colour themes, split panes, and unicode font rendering, certain legacy enterprise tools, console development utilities, or automated build chains require the traditional, standalone Windows Console Host (conhost.exe). Windows 11 provides built-in toggles allowing you to designate your favoured terminal environment.

Method 1: Changing Default Terminal via Windows Settings

You can set your default console handler system-wide through the Settings app:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings in Windows 11.
2. Click System in the left pane, then scroll down and click For developers. (Alternatively, navigate to Privacy & security > For developers).
3. Locate the Terminal section.
4. Click the drop-down menu next to Terminal and select either:
   • Windows Terminal: Modern tabbed terminal client.
   • Windows Console Host: Traditional legacy command prompt window.
   • Let Windows decide: Automatically selects Windows Terminal on modern installations.

Method 2: Changing Default Terminal Inside Windows Terminal Settings

If you already have Windows Terminal open, adjust the handler directly from its internal configuration:

1. Open Windows Terminal from your Start menu or taskbar.
2. Click the downward-pointing arrow (⌵) next to the new tab button and click Settings (or press Ctrl + ,).
3. Ensure the Startup tab is selected on the left navigation menu.
4. Locate the setting titled Default terminal application.
5. Click the drop-down menu and choose your preferred default host.
6. Click the Save button in the bottom-right corner to commit your selection.

Configuring Default Startup Profile Inside Windows Terminal

If you choose to keep Windows Terminal as your default application but prefer it to launch directly into Command Prompt or Ubuntu WSL rather than PowerShell:

1. In Windows Terminal Settings > Startup, locate the Default profile setting.
2. Select Command Prompt, PowerShell, or your installed Linux distribution from the list.
3. Click Save.