Windows Terminal is a powerful command-line interface in Windows that combines the capabilities of Command Prompt, PowerShell, and WSL. It is available on Windows 11, Windows 10, and provides users with a modern and customizable environment for managing various tasks in their operating system. As an essential tool for developers, administrators, or anyone who likes to use command lines, knowing multiple ways to open Windows Terminal quickly can save time and improve productivity.
Multiple Ways To Open Windows Terminal
This section discusses multiple ways to open the Windows terminal. We will be going through 7 different methods. So whether you wish to access the Windows terminal through a shortcut key, or menu, there’s a method for each. Here’s all that’s covered:
- Start Menu Search
- Windows Power Menu
- The Run Box
- Task Manager
- File Explorer
- Right Click Context Menu
Let’s now have a detailed look at each of these menus.
1] Start Menu Search
If you have been a Windows user long enough, you know that the Start menu is one of Windows’s most widely used features. It can be used to access any software or utility on the operating system. Here’s how to access Windows Terminal from the Start menu:
- Click the Start button or hit the Windows key.
- Type terminal into the search box.
- Click Open from the right pane.
To run as administrator:
- Click the small arrow on the right pane of the Start Menu options.
- Select Run as Administrator.
2] Windows Power Menu
As the name suggests, the Windows Power User Menu gives users more power and control on the Windows operating system. You can access tools like Device Manager, Windows Terminal, Event Viewer, and many others from the menu. Here are the steps:
- Right-click on the Start button or press the Windows+X keys simultaneously.
- Select either Windows Terminal or Windows Terminal (Admin).
- Alternatively, press the I key to open the standard terminal window once you have opened the power user menu.
- Or, press the A key to open Admin terminal window.
3] The Run Box
The Run box in Windows is primarily used to run basic commands and access programs without having to go through multiple menus and settings. Here’s how to use the Run box to open Windows Terminal:
- Press the Window+R keys together.
- Type wt into the text box.
- Hit Enter for standard privileges OR Ctrl+Shift+Enter for administrative privileges.
4] Task Manager
The Task Manager in Windows is used to access and manage all the tasks, applications, and services running on the system currently. You can also use it to track your PC’s performance and run applications and tasks. Here’s how to use it to open the Windows terminal:
- Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift +Esc keys simultaneously.
- Select the Run New task option at the top.
- Type wt, then press Enter/Ok button at the bottom right corner
- To run with admin privilege, check Create This task With Administrative Privileges checkbox before clicking ok
5] File Explorer
File Explorer is used to access various user and system files stored on a Windows computer. You can also use File Explorer to open the Windows terminal. Here’s how to do it:
- Open a File Explorer window
- Click on the address bar.
- Type wt and hit Enter.
6] Right-click Context Menu
You can open Windows Terminal inside any folder or directory from the right-click context menu. This will allow the terminal to run using the files in the folder or directory. Here’s how to do it:
- Right-click on any folder or space within a folder.
- Select Open In Terminal from the context menu.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed multiple easy and comprehensive ways to access the powerful Windows Terminal’s command line interface to make advanced changes to your computer, troubleshoot, and gain more access to your system.
Before executing any command in the Windows terminal, ensure you have verified the trustability of the command, as hackers can gain complete control over your system with a simple Windows terminal command. We hope you found the article helpful; please ensure you share it with everyone.