How to Open Windows Terminal at Startup in Windows 11

This article explains how to open the Windows Terminal app automatically when you log in to Windows 11.

Why would you want to do this? Windows Terminal is a modern tool for command-line shells, including Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, and bash (via Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)). It lets you run commands and scripts on your computer.

The Terminal app in Windows allows many customizations. You can change the language, adjust the launch size, set the default profile, change the startup behavior, open the admin window, and more.

If you use the terminal regularly, you can set it to open automatically when you log in. This saves time and makes your workflow faster.

Why Automate Terminal Launch?

Configuring the Terminal app to launch automatically when you log in to Windows saves time. You won’t have to manually open it every time you start your computer. This is especially helpful if you use the command-line interface frequently.

Additionally, if you have customized your Terminal app with specific settings, having it launch automatically ensures that those settings are applied every time you log in to Windows.

How to Automatically Launch the Terminal App on Windows

Step 1: Open the Windows Terminal App

First, open the Windows Terminal app. Click on the Start menu and search for “Terminal.” Under Best match, select and open the Windows Terminal app.

Step 2: Access Terminal Settings

When the Terminal app opens, click the down arrow button on the top bar and select Settings (Ctrl +,).

Step 3: Enable Startup Launch

On the Settings window, click on the Startup tab. Then, select the “Launch on machine startup” tile and toggle the switch button to the On position.

What happens when you enable this? Windows Terminal will now open automatically every time you log in to your computer.

Step 4: Save Your Changes

Click the Save button at the bottom to save your changes, then exit.

That’s it! Your Terminal app will now launch automatically on startup.

Want to Turn It Off?

To disable automatic launch, simply toggle the switch button back to the Off position in the Startup settings.

Summary

Configuring the Windows Terminal app to launch automatically on Windows startup is a convenient time-saver for frequent command-line users. When enabled, Terminal opens automatically every time you log in, and all your customized settings are applied right away. The process is simple: open Terminal, go to Settings, find the Startup tab, and toggle “Launch on machine startup” to On. You can disable it anytime by toggling the switch back to Off.

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