Did you know that you have more than one way to open Terminal in Windows 11?
Terminal (formally Windows Terminal) is now the default command-line tool in Windows 11. It brings together Command Prompt, PowerShell, and even tools like the WSL shell in one place. What’s more, it has a ton of helpful features like profiles and customization options, to suit your specific use case. Because Terminal is so useful, knowing different ways to open it is helpful for everyday tasks. Here are four easy methods to open Terminal in Windows 11. Depending on your needs, choose the method that works best for you. Let’s get started.
Before You Begin
A quick note about naming: In older versions of Windows 11, the app is called “Windows Terminal,” while in newer versions, it’s simply “Terminal. Both names open the same application.
1. Open Windows Terminal Using Windows-X Menu
The easiest way to open Terminal is through the Windows-X menu (WinX or Power User menu). Here’s how:
- Press the Windows key + X or right-click the Start button on the taskbar to open the WinX menu.
- Select “Terminal” to open it.
- To open Terminal as an administrator, select “Terminal (Admin).”
Note: On older versions of Windows 11, you’ll see “Windows Terminal” instead of “Terminal”.
2. Open Terminal Using ‘wt’ Run Command
As with most programs, you can launch the terminal tool using the Run dialog. Here’s how.
- Press “Windows key + R” to open the Run dialog box.
- Enter “wt” in the run field.
- Click the “OK” button or press “Enter” on your keyboard.
- As soon as you do that, the terminal window opens instantly.
Search for “Terminal” in the Start Menu
The age-old way of opening any program in Windows is to search for it in the Start menu, terminal is no different.
Method 1:
- Open the Start menu by pressing the “Windows key” on your keyboard.
- Enter “Terminal” in the search bar.
- Click the “Open” option.
- Select the “Run as administrator” option to open the terminal as an admin.
Method 2:
Alternatively, you can also open it from the “All Apps” screen. To do that, open the Start menu, click on the “All Apps” button on the top right corner, scroll down the list to find the “Windows Terminal” entry, and click on it.
- Open the Start menu by pressing the “Windows key” on your keyboard.
- Click the “All” button in the top-right corner of the Start menu to open all apps in the Start menu.
- Scroll down to the “T” section and click the “Terminal” option to open it.
Good to know: How to open All Apps by default in the Windows 11 Start menu
Open Windows Terminal from File Explorer
Want to open Windows Terminal directly in a specific folder? You can use File Explorer to launch the terminal in your chosen directory, saving you the hassle of manual folder navigation. Here’s how:
- Press “Windows key + E” to open File Explorer.
- Open the folder of your choice in the File Explorer window.
- Right-click in the File Explorer.
- Select the “Open in Terminal” option to open the terminal in that specific folder.
Good to know: Windows Terminal keyboard shortcuts
Conclusion — Learning To Open Terminal in Windows 11
As you’ve seen, there are several ways to open Windows Terminal in Windows 11. The Windows-X menu is often the fastest, particularly for opening it in administrator mode. If you are looking for an alternative method, choose one of the other three methods. No matter which method you choose, you’ll have a new Terminal window open instantly.
If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.
Update: The tutorial is updated to reflect the changes in Windows 11.
