How To Set Command Prompt as the Default in Windows Terminal
Once Windows Terminal is up and running, it’s pretty common for PowerShell to be the default shell that pops open. If you’re more used to Command Prompt or think it’s simpler, you might want to switch that default profile. This is handy because on some setups, it’s kinda annoying having to switch manually every time or launching the wrong shell and wasting time. Changing the default profile to Command Prompt effectively means every time you open Windows Terminal, it just lands straight in cmd.exe.
Windows Terminal is a tool that’s become super useful for those who rely on the command line on Windows 11. Whether it’s for scripting, managing servers, or just quick commands, it’s flexible. But sometimes, the default can be a pain. So, here’s a way to set Command Prompt as the default instead of PowerShell or any other shell you tend to use. It’s mostly a matter of tweaking the settings, which are stored in a JSON file, but Windows Terminal has a pretty decent GUI for this now.
How to Set Command Prompt as Default in Windows Terminal
Opening the Settings and Navigating to Profile Preferences
- Right-click on the Start button.
- Choose Windows Terminal from the menu. Sometimes you might need to open it first if it’s pinned or not showing up instantly.
- On the top bar, click the downward arrow and pick Settings. Alternatively, press Ctrl +, to open settings directly. If that shortcut isn’t working, you can also find Settings in the menu or in the sidebar if you’re using the new UI in Windows 11.
Changing the Default Profile to Command Prompt
- Once the settings tab opens, you’ll see a JSON styling layout or a GUI (depends on your version).On the left, look for Startup (or similar tab).
- In the Default profile dropdown menu, you’ll see options like PowerShell, Command Prompt, and maybe WSL if installed.
- Select Command Prompt from that list.
- Click the Save button to lock in your choice. Sometimes, you might need to confirm or restart Windows Terminal for it to fully apply.
Now, each time you open Windows Terminal, it should load into Command Prompt directly instead of PowerShell. The reason this works is because Windows Terminal uses a profile system where each shell has its own configuration, and setting the default profile points it at your preferred shell.
Extra tip: Customizing Profiles
If you want to make Command Prompt look nicer or behave differently, you can customize the profile in the settings. For example, change the color scheme, font, or even add startup commands. Just look for the profiles section and find the Command Prompt entry. Adjust away—it’s kinda fun to fine-tune this stuff.
Ersetzt Windows Terminal CMD?
Das ist etwas seltsam, aber Windows Terminal ersetzt weder die Eingabeaufforderung noch PowerShell. Es handelt sich weiterhin um separate Anwendungen. Windows Terminal bietet lediglich eine einheitliche Oberfläche, die alle Anwendungen sowie WSL- und SSH-Sitzungen ausführen kann. Im Grunde ist es nur ein schönerer Shell-Wrapper. Sie können CMD weiterhin manuell starten, aber jetzt können Sie es als Standard in Windows Terminal festlegen, wenn Sie das bevorzugen. Denn natürlich muss Windows die Dinge manchmal komplizierter machen als nötig.