Windows Terminal Preview for Windows

Quick summary and purpose

Windows Terminal Preview is a modern, consolidated terminal app for Windows 10 and 11 that brings multiple command-line environments together in a single window. It lets developers, administrators, and advanced users run PowerShell, WSL, Azure Cloud Shell, SSH sessions and other shells side-by-side, simplifying workflows and reducing context switching.

How the interface works

The application focuses on multitasking and flexible window management.

• Split views let you run several terminals in one window so you can monitor or interact with different shells simultaneously.
• Tabbed sessions make it easy to keep multiple command-line instances organized without opening separate windows.
• Context menus are available from a right-click and have been gradually expanded across preview releases; their exact options can vary by version.

These controls support drag-and-drop tab rearrangement and offer quick access to common actions, although some features continue to be refined in successive previews.

Profiles and appearance controls

You can tailor how each shell starts and looks, making the terminal fit project-specific needs.

• Command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P by default) provides an easy way to discover commands and navigate the application with the keyboard.
• Custom keybindings allow power users to map frequently used operations to shortcuts.
• Visual tweaks such as background transparency, color themes, and font choices let you create a consistent, recognizable environment for different tasks.

Profiles are configurable per shell, so you can assign a unique startup directory, theme, or connection type (for example, an Azure Cloud Shell or an SSH target) to each profile.

Settings storage, portability, and sharing

Configuration is stored in a JSON file, while a basic graphical editor is also available for common options.

• All low-level settings are kept in a settings.json file, which advanced users can edit directly to reproduce or share configurations across machines.
• A GUI settings editor covers many everyday adjustments, but not every advanced option is exposed there.
• Exporting and synchronizing the JSON lets teams or individuals replicate preferred setups across environments.

This combination provides both precision for experienced users and convenience for those who prefer point-and-click configuration.

Productivity advantages

Combining tabs, splits, profiles, and custom shortcuts reduces friction and speeds up routine tasks.

• Work across multiple shells for a single project without switching windows.
• Launch shells into project folders or remote targets automatically via profiles to avoid repetitive navigation.
• Use consistent color schemes and shortcuts to minimize cognitive load and speed up terminal-based workflows.

These features help create predictable, efficient environments tailored to specific development or operations needs.

Trade-offs and things to know

While powerful, some aspects require a bit of technical familiarity.

• Reliance on the JSON settings file for full customization can be intimidating for newcomers who aren’t used to editing structured configuration files.
• The graphical settings interface is improving but still misses some advanced controls, so there’s a small learning curve for users who want deep customization.
• Feature behavior—such as context menu items—may change between preview builds as Microsoft experiments with improvements.

Bottom line

Windows Terminal Preview brings multiple shells together in a modern, customizable interface that enhances multitasking and productivity. It’s especially strong for users who want fine-grained control over their terminal environment, although those who prefer purely graphical configuration may need some time to get comfortable with the JSON settings file.