Windows Terminal is the new experience on Windows 10 to run Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Linux distros within a single window using tabs.

By default, the app opens on PowerShell, but if you’re a Command Prompt person, Windows Terminal allows to change the settings using the “profiles.json” configuration file.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to configure the Windows Terminal app to start on Command Prompt by default, instead of PowerShell on Windows 10.

How to change PowerShell for Command Prompt as default profile on Windows Terminal

To make Command Prompt the default console when opening Windows Terminal, use these steps:

  • Open Windows Terminal.
  • Click on the down arrow button from the tabs section and select the Settings option to open the “profiles.json” file.
  • Windows Terminal settings option
  • Select, right-click, and copy the guid for “cmd”.
  • Windows Terminal Command Prompt guid
  • At the top of the files, replace the current guid in the “defaultProfile” field.
  • Windows Terminal set Command Prompt as the new startup default
  • Click the File menu.
  • Click the Save option.

Once you complete the steps, restart the Windows Terminal, and it should open open Command Prompt by default.

Open Windows Terminal.

Click on the down arrow button from the tabs section and select the Settings option to open the “profiles.json” file.

Windows Terminal settings option

Select, right-click, and copy the guid for “cmd”.

Windows Terminal Command Prompt guid

At the top of the files, replace the current guid in the “defaultProfile” field.

Windows Terminal set Command Prompt as the new startup default

Click the File menu.

Click the Save option.