Windows Terminal is not built into Visual Studio 2022 by default, but you can add it as an integrated tool in under five minutes

Visual Studio 2022 comes with its own command-line interface called Developer PowerShell, but many developers prefer Windows Terminal because it handles multiple shells (PowerShell, Command Prompt, Git Bash) in one window with better customization. You can launch Windows Terminal directly from Visual Studio 2022 without leaving the IDE, and it will automatically load your project's environment.

The process involves two steps: installing Windows Terminal itself (if you do not have it already), then configuring Visual Studio to open it as an external tool. Both take minutes and require no coding.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Terminal installs from the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 and 11, or you can download it directly from GitHub if your system cannot access the Store.
  • After installation, you add Windows Terminal to Visual Studio 2022 through Tools > External Tools, which creates a menu item you can click anytime.
  • The external tool command should point to your Windows Terminal executable file, usually located at %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\WindowsApps\wt.exe.
  • Once configured, you can launch Windows Terminal from Visual Studio with a single click, and it will open in your project's root directory.

Installing Windows Terminal from the Microsoft Store

The easiest installation method is through the Microsoft Store, which handles updates automatically. Open the Microsoft Store app on Windows 10 or 11, search for "Windows Terminal", and click the blue Install button. The download is about 50 MB and takes a minute or two depending on your connection.

After installation completes, you can launch Windows Terminal from your Start menu or by pressing the Windows key and typing "terminal". The first launch takes a few seconds as it initializes your default shell.

Installing Windows Terminal from GitHub if the Store is unavailable

If your organization blocks the Microsoft Store or you need a specific version, download Windows Terminal directly from the GitHub releases page. Go to github.com/microsoft/terminal, click the Releases section on the right side, and download the file named WindowsTerminal.zip (not the source code). The file is typically 50 to 100 MB.

Extract the ZIP file to a folder you can find later — many developers use C:\Program Files\WindowsTerminal or a folder in their user directory. Inside the extracted folder, you will see wt.exe. This is the executable you will point Visual Studio toward in the next section.

Adding Windows Terminal as an external tool in Visual Studio 2022

Open Visual Studio 2022 and go to Tools in the menu bar, then select External Tools. A dialog box opens with a list of existing external tools. Click the Add button to create a new entry.

Fill in the following fields:

  • Title: Windows Terminal (or any name you prefer — this is what appears in your Tools menu)
  • Command: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\WindowsApps\wt.exe (if you installed from the Store) or the full path to wt.exe if you downloaded from GitHub, such as C:\Program Files\WindowsTerminal\wt.exe
  • Arguments: Leave this blank
  • Initial directory: $(ProjectDir) (this tells Windows Terminal to open in your project's root folder)

Check the box labeled "Use Output window" if you want output to appear in Visual Studio's output pane, though most developers leave this unchecked so Windows Terminal opens in its own window. Click OK to save.

Launching Windows Terminal from Visual Studio

After you save the external tool, go to Tools in the menu bar and you will see "Windows Terminal" listed. Click it to launch Windows Terminal in your project directory. The first time you do this, Windows Terminal may take a few seconds to initialize.

If you use Windows Terminal frequently, you can assign it a keyboard shortcut. Go to Tools > Options > Environment > Keyboard, search for the command name (it appears as Tools.ExternalCommand1, Tools.ExternalCommand2, etc., depending on the order you added it), and assign a key combination like Ctrl+Alt+T.

Troubleshooting the command path if Windows Terminal does not launch

If clicking the Windows Terminal menu item does nothing or shows an error, the command path is likely incorrect. The most common issue is that the path to wt.exe differs from the default location.

To find the correct path, open File Explorer and navigate to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\WindowsApps (paste this into the address bar). Look for a file named wt.exe. If it is there, copy the full path from the address bar and paste it into the Command field in External Tools. If it is not there, you installed from GitHub and need to use the path where you extracted the ZIP file instead.

Another common issue is that the Initial directory field uses the wrong variable. Make sure it says $(ProjectDir) exactly — if you leave it blank, Windows Terminal opens in your user home directory instead of your project folder.

Customizing Windows Terminal after installation

Windows Terminal stores its settings in a JSON file you can edit directly. Open Windows Terminal, press Ctrl+, (comma) to open the settings file, and you can change the default shell, color scheme, font size, and transparency. Changes save automatically.

Common customizations include setting PowerShell 7 as your default shell (instead of Windows PowerShell), changing the color scheme from the default blue to something like "One Half Dark" or "Dracula", and increasing the font size if you find the default hard to read. All of these changes are optional — Windows Terminal works fine with its defaults.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a keyboard shortcut to open Windows Terminal from Visual Studio?

Yes. After adding Windows Terminal as an external tool, go to Tools > Options > Environment > Keyboard, search for the command (usually Tools.ExternalCommand1 or similar), and assign a key combination. Ctrl+Alt+T is a common choice that does not conflict with other Visual Studio shortcuts.

Will Windows Terminal open in my project folder automatically?

Yes, if you set the Initial directory field to $(ProjectDir) in the External Tools dialog. Without this, Windows Terminal opens in your home directory instead. You can then navigate to your project manually, but the variable saves you that step.

What is the difference between Windows Terminal and Developer PowerShell?

Developer PowerShell is built into Visual Studio and runs inside the IDE. Windows Terminal is a separate application that runs outside Visual Studio and supports multiple shells (PowerShell, Command Prompt, Git Bash) in tabs. Many developers prefer Windows Terminal for its flexibility and appearance, but Developer PowerShell is faster if you only need PowerShell.

Do I need to install Windows Terminal if I already have PowerShell?

No. PowerShell and Windows Terminal are different things — PowerShell is the shell itself, and Windows Terminal is a container that runs shells. You can use PowerShell without Windows Terminal, but Windows Terminal gives you a better interface and the ability to switch between shells in tabs. It is optional but widely preferred.

Can I use Windows Terminal with other IDEs like Visual Studio Code?

Yes. Visual Studio Code has Windows Terminal built in as the default terminal. You can also add it as an external tool to other IDEs using the same method described here — find the Tools or External Tools menu and point it to your wt.exe file.