How to Automatically Hide the Windows Terminal Window
Windows Terminal focus mode (a feature that hides the standard window frame and title bar) lets you turn your command-line interface into a slide-out panel that appears instantly with a single keyboard shortcut. Press the Win plus the backtick key (`) to make the hidden panel slide onto your screen and tuck away again.
Setting up this option takes less than 2 minutes inside the settings menu of Windows Terminal version 1.18 or later. This built-in feature keeps your desktop neat by hiding the tool until you need it.
Open Windows Terminal, go to Settings , then Appearance. Toggle the “Automatically hide window” option to your preference. Save your changes to enable or disable this feature, which hides the Terminal when you switch applications.
What is Windows Terminal?
Windows Terminal is a Microsoft app that brings Command Prompt, PowerShell, and other command-line tools together in one tabbed window. It lets you run multiple command-line environments side by side, use custom themes, and set up shortcuts, including features like windows terminal auto hide to keep your desktop clear.
You can change its language, size, startup settings, and more. One handy option is to make the Terminal window automatically hide when you click away to another program.
Why Use Automatically Hide Window?
Do you switch between programs a lot? Hiding the Terminal window can keep your desktop less crowded.
Do you want the Terminal window always visible? You can turn this feature off.
It really depends on what works best for you!
How to Turn On or Off Automatically Hide Window
- Open Windows Terminal. Click the Start menu button. Type
Terminalin the search box. Then click Windows Terminal from the results.
Open the Windows Terminal app - Once Terminal is open, click the down arrow (˅) next to the tabs at the top. Then choose Settings. Or press
Ctrl + ,on your keyboard.
Open the Windows Terminal Settings - In the Settings window, click the Appearance tab on the left side.
- Find the option called "Automatically hide window." Click on it to toggle the switch.
- Toggle the switch to On to enable automatic hiding.
- Toggle the switch to Off if you want the Terminal window to stay visible all the time.
Automatically hide Terminal window setting To set up windows terminal auto hide, open the app, go to Settings from the dropdown menu, and select the Appearance tab on the left. From there, you can turn on the setting that makes the window hide itself automatically when it loses focus, keeping your screen clutter-free while you work.
- Click the Save button at the bottom to keep your changes. Then close the Settings window.
That's it! Now your Terminal window will hide automatically when you switch apps. Or it will stay visible if you turned the feature off.
Summary
Using windows terminal auto hide keeps your desktop tidy and prevents distraction by tucking the window away when you are not using it. Combined with other appearance tweaks and profile settings, this feature helps you set up a cleaner and more efficient workspace for all your command-line tasks.
Customizing Windows Terminal offers many benefits. For users seeking to personalize their experience, Microsoft provides at least three helpful guides. These guides explain how to change the appearance, set up profiles, and manage keyboard shortcuts, allowing for a more efficient workflow.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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