How to Add or Remove Scrollbar in Windows Terminal
Scrollbars in Windows Terminal let you view older text in Command Prompt or PowerShell by moving a slider on the right side of the window. You can turn this scrollbar on or off by changing a single line of code in your settings.json profile setup file.
Open Windows Terminal, click the down arrow, select Settings, then navigate to Defaults Appearance Under the Window section, choose your desired scrollbar visibility from the dropdown menu and click Save.
What is Windows Terminal?
Windows Terminal is a modern app that brings Command Prompt, PowerShell, and WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux, a feature that lets you run Linux tools on Windows) together in one place. You can use tabs, split panes, and change how things look. A key part of this setup is the Windows Terminal scrollbar, which helps you move through long command outputs quickly.
Windows Terminal offers extensive configuration for its overall appearance and behavior. Adjusting this sidebar helps readers process long command lists efficiently.
Why Change the Scrollbar?
Three different display states keep the interface clean while ensuring navigation remains accessible. Interface preferences include showing the bar permanently, hiding it completely, or revealing it dynamically when the pointer approaches the edge.
How to Change the Scrollbar Visibility in Windows Terminal
Open Windows Terminal: Click the Start menu , type Terminal, and click Windows Terminal from the results.
You can turn the Windows Terminal scrollbar on or off by editing the settings file or using the settings menu. Hiding the scrollbar gives you a cleaner look, while showing it helps you track your place in long lists of text. Open the settings page, find your profile settings, and toggle the scrollbar option to match what you prefer.
Open Settings : Once Terminal is open, click the small down arrow (˅) near the top, then select Settings. Or pressCtrl + ,on your keyboard.
Navigate to the specific profile you want to change under the Profiles section in the left sidebar.
Go to Defaults & Appearance: In the Settings window, find and click on Defaults under the Profiles section on the left side. Then click on the Appearance section on the right to open it.
Click on Appearance in the profile sub-menu to view visual settings for that terminal environment.
Change Scrollbar Visibility: Scroll down until you see Scrollbar visibility under the Window section. Click the dropdown menu and choose one of these options:
- Visible (default): Scrollbar appears only when you move your mouse near the edge.
- Hidden: Scrollbar is always hidden.
- Always: Scrollbar is always visible.
Locate the Scrollbar visibility setting and choose your preferred display state from the dropdown menu.
Save your changes: Click the Save button at the bottom right to apply your new scrollbar setting.
Closing the settings window applies the new behavior immediately.
Summary
Windows Terminal settings control when scrollbars appear. This adjustment impacts how readers navigate long outputs, offering a visual guide to viewing more content.
Questions or tips can go in the comments below.
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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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