Enable Shield Icon in Windows Terminal Admin Mode

terminal/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="20318">Windows Terminal is a modern tool for running command-line programs like Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, and bash via Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). You can customize many parts of the app, including the language, adjust the launch size, set the default profile, change the startup behavior, open the admin window, open Terminal automatically at startup, add copy selection to the clipboard automatically, and automatically hide the Terminal window.

Starting with Windows Terminal Preview version 1.23.10353.0, Microsoft added a feature to show a shield icon in the title bar when the app is running with high-level permissions, also known as runs as Admin.

Why show the shield icon?

The shield icon acts as a visual warning. It lets you know at a glance that you are currently working in Administrator mode. This helps prevent accidental changes to important system files.

What happens when you are done?

Once you enable this setting, a small shield icon will appear in the top bar of your Terminal window whenever you open it with elevated permissions. If you turn it off, the icon will disappear, even when using admin rights.

How to toggle the shield icon

Note: This process does not require administrator privileges to change the setting itself, but you will need them if you want to run the Terminal in that mode later.

1. Open the Windows Terminal app. You can find it by clicking the Start menu and searching for “Terminal.”

1. Click the down arrow button at the top of the window and select Settings (or press Ctrl + , on your keyboard).

1. Click the Appearance tab on the left side of the menu.
2. Look for the option labeled “Display a shield in the title bar when Windows Terminal is running as Administrator.”
3. Toggle the switch to On to see the shield or Off to hide it.

1. Click the Save button at the bottom of the window to apply your changes.

Reference: Microsoft

Summary

• The shield icon is a visual indicator that your Terminal has elevated “Administrator” rights.
• You can easily turn this icon on or off through the Appearance section of the Terminal settings.
• This feature helps you stay aware of your current permission level to keep your system safe.
• Changes take effect immediately after you click the Save button.