What Is Windows Terminal?

A Home for Every Shell

Windows Terminal is Microsoft's modern command-line host. It runs PowerShell, CMD, Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), Git Bash and SSH sessions side by side in one app, with tabs, split panes and rich theming.

Why It Replaced ConHost

• Tabs and panes - Multiple shells arranged freely.
• GPU-accelerated rendering - Smooth, modern text.
• Profiles - Each shell keeps its own settings.
• Customizable - Themes, fonts and acrylic blur.

Terminal, Not a Shell

Windows Terminal is a terminal emulator hosting shells; PowerShell or CMD inside it stay the same. You get all commands plus a better interface over them.

The Settings Model

Everything is configured through a settings.json file (and a friendly UI above it). This makes preferences portable, scriptable, and perfect for dotfiles-style syncing.

Key Points

• Windows Terminal hosts PowerShell, CMD, WSL and more.
• Tabs and panes organize several shells at once.
• GPU rendering makes the console crisp.
• settings.json drives nearly every behavior.