How to Enable Automatically Hide Window in Windows Terminal
Automatically hide window in Windows Terminal makes the app disappear the moment you click away from it. Added in version 1.19.10922.0, this tool keeps your screen clear of clutter while you work on other tasks.
You turn on this setting by editing your settings.json file. It saves screen space and keeps the command line out of your way until you need it again.
Open Windows Terminal, click the down arrow, and select Settings. Navigate to the Appearance tab and toggle “Automatically hide window” to On. Click Save.
What is Windows Terminal?
Windows Terminal is a Microsoft app that brings together command-line tools like Command Prompt (a text-based interface for running commands), PowerShell (a task automation shell), and WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux, which lets you run Linux on your PC) into a single tabbed window. It lets you run multiple command environments side by side and customize their appearance, shortcuts, and startup behavior.
Flexibility remains built into the design, letting users alter appearance and behavior. Settings management covers language, initial size, default profile, and startup behavior.
Other available settings include startup behavior, automatic startup, and clipboard options.
Why Use Automatically Hide Window?
Leaving multiple apps open often creates screen clutter. Toggling this setting keeps the workspace clear by tucking the Terminal away during multitasking.
Disabling the preference restores permanent visibility for constant reference work.
How to Enable Automatically Hide Window
To automatically hide Terminal window actions, you need to turn on a hidden setting in the JSON configuration file since there is no toggle switch in the menu yet. You can open Settings from the dropdown menu, click Open JSON file at the bottom left, and add a specific command line that makes the app vanish from your screen when it loses focus.
- Open the Windows Terminal app. Click the Start menu and search for "Terminal." Select and open the Windows Terminal app from the results.
- Click the down arrow button at the top of the Terminal window. Then click Settings (or press Ctrl + ,).
- In the Settings window, click the Appearance tab on the left side.
- Find the "Automatically hide window" option. Toggle the switch to the On position to enable it. Toggle it to Off to disable it.
- Click the Save button at the bottom to save your changes. Then close the Settings window.
Your terminal will now hide automatically whenever you click outside the window.
What Happens When You Enable This?
Active hiding conceals the window upon clicking external applications, maintaining an organized desktop.
Summary
Hiding unused command windows preserves desktop organization effectively.
How do I hide a terminal window?
Press Win + X and then select Terminal. Press Ctrl + comma key (,) to open Windows Terminal settings. Click Appearance on the left, then locate the notification area setting on the right pane.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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