In this comprehensive guide, we will guide you through the steps to change your default command prompt and explore the key benefits of doing so.
To begin with, here is a quick step-by-step guide to change the Windows default command prompt:
- Open Windows Terminal: Find it in the Start menu or search for it.
- Go to Settings: Click the gear icon at the top of the window.
- Navigate to “Default Profile”: Locate the “Default Profile” section.
- Change the “Commandline” Property: Replace “cmd.exe” with the desired command-line interface path (e.g., “powershell.exe”).
- Save and Restart: Click “Save” and restart Windows Terminal to apply the changes.
However, this is just an overview of the steps. Therefore, we encourage you to continue reading the full blog, as we have mentioned additional methods with their detailed step-by-step instructions to change the Windows default command prompt further in the article.
Benefits of changing the Windows default command prompt
Changing the Windows default command prompt can offer several advantages, depending on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some of the key benefits:
Customization and Personalization
- Tailored Experience: to begin with, you can select a command-line interface that aligns better with your workflow and preferences.
- Enhanced Aesthetics: Additionally, some command-line interfaces offer customizable themes, colors, and fonts for a more visually appealing experience.
Improved Functionality
- Access to Advanced Features: Moreover, different command-line interfaces may provide unique features and capabilities, such as enhanced scripting, automation, or integration with other tools.
- Specialized Tasks: Furthermore, for specific tasks or workflows, a specialized command-line interface might be more suitable.
Efficiency and Productivity
- Streamlined Workflows: In particular, a well-configured command-line interface can help you automate repetitive tasks and improve your overall productivity.
- Integration with Other Tools: Finally, some command-line interfaces offer seamless integration with other applications, making it easier to manage your work environment.
Also Check: How to fix Windows update error 80072f8f ?
How to change the Windows default command prompt ?
Understanding the Default Command Prompt:
Before we dive into the methods, it’s important to clarify what we mean by the “default command prompt.”
Essentially, this typically refers to the command-line interface that opens when you type “cmd” in the Start menu or search bar. By default, this is usually the Command Prompt (cmd.exe) application.
Methods to Change the Default Command Prompt:
First, let’s look at the Steps to change Windows default command prompt Using Windows settings.
Steps to change Windows default command prompt Using Windows settings
To change the default Command Prompt using Windows Settings in Windows 10 and Windows 11, follow these steps:
Open Windows Settings:
- To begin with, press Windows + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
Navigate to System Settings:
- Next, in the Settings window, click on System.
Access About Section:
- Then, scroll down in the left sidebar and select About.
Open Advanced System Settings:
- After that, in the About section, look for Advanced system settings on the right side and click on it. This will open the System Properties window.
Open Environment Variables:
- Subsequently, in the System Properties window, click on the Environment Variables button located at the bottom.
Edit the Path Variable:
- Now, in the Environment Variables window, find the Path variable in the System variables section. Select it and click on Edit.
Add New Command Prompt Path:
- Following this, in the Edit Environment Variable window, you can add a new path for the command-line interface you want to set as default. For example, if you want to set PowerShell as the default, you can add: C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\
- Click OK to save your changes.
Set Default Terminal Application (Optional):
- Optionally, if you want to set Windows Terminal as the default terminal application, you can do this by opening Windows Terminal, clicking the dropdown arrow next to the tabs, selecting Settings, and then setting the defaultProfile to your desired profile.
Restart Your Computer:
- Finally, to ensure that the changes take effect, restart your computer.
Also Check: How to fix Windows update error 0x80072ee2 ?
Change Windows default command prompt Using Windows Terminal
Open Windows Terminal:
- Firstly, click on the Start menu (Windows icon) and type Windows Terminal in the search bar. Select it from the search results to open it.
Access Settings:
- Secondly, once Windows Terminal is open, click on the dropdown arrow located next to the tabs at the top of the window.
- Then, from the dropdown menu, select Settings. This will open the settings interface, which may appear in a new tab or a separate window.
Locate the Default Profile Section:
- Next, in the Settings interface, you will see a sidebar on the left. Look for the section labeled Profiles.
- Following this, click on Defaults or Default Profile to access the default profile settings.
Change the Default Profile:
- Subsequently, in the Default Profile settings, you will see a property labeled Commandline. This is where you can specify which command-line interface you want to use as the default.
- To change the default to Command Prompt, you can set the Commandline property to: cmd.exe
- Alternatively, if you want to set it to PowerShell, you can use: powershell.exe
- Moreover, if you have a specific profile for another terminal (like Ubuntu or any other shell), you can select that profile.
Save Changes:
- After making your changes, look for a Save button, usually located at the bottom right of the settings window. Click on it to save your modifications.
Close and Restart Windows Terminal:
- Finally, close the Windows Terminal and reopen it. The next time you launch a new tab, it will use the updated default profile settings.
Change Windows default command prompt Using Registry (Advanced):
Note: Editing the registry can be risky. Incorrect changes can lead to system instability. Make sure to create a backup of your registry before proceeding.
- Open the Registry Editor: Firstly, press Win + R, type “regedit,” and press Enter.
- Navigate to the key: Secondly, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Command Processor.
- Find the “DefaultCommand” value: Next, right-click on the “DefaultCommand” value and select “Modify.”
- Change the value: After that, replace the current value with the path to your desired command-line interface.
- Save and restart: Finally, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
Additional Notes:
- Other command-line interfaces: Moreover, besides Command Prompt and PowerShell, you can also use other command-line interfaces like Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) or custom shells.
- Temporary changes: Furthermore, if you want to temporarily change the default command prompt without modifying the registry, you can create a shortcut to your desired command-line interface and set it as the default application for “.cmd” files.
By following these methods, you can customize your Windows experience to use the command-line interface that best suits your needs and preferences.
Also Check: How to fix the OneDrive Sync Error 0x8007016a ?
Conclusion
Customizing your default Windows command prompt is a simple but powerful way to improve your computing experience.
To begin with, whether you prefer the classic command prompt, the more versatile PowerShell, or another specialized interface, the choice is yours.
By following the methods described in this guide—using Windows Settings, Windows Terminal, or even advanced registry editing—you can tailor your command-line environment to better suit your needs and workflow.
Moreover, remember, changing your default shell isn’t just about personal preference; it can increase your productivity, streamline your tasks and give you access to advanced features.
As a result, as you become more comfortable with your chosen interface, you’ll likely find new ways to optimize your work and maybe even discover features you didn’t know existed.
Source: [ makeuseof, reddit, tenforums, microsoft ]
Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)
The default command line interface in Windows is the Command Prompt, or cmd.exe, which allows users to execute commands and run scripts. While it has been a long-standing feature, users can also use Windows PowerShell and Windows Terminal for more advanced functionalities and scripting options.
The default Command Prompt in Windows 11 is cmd.exe, offering a text-based interface for executing commands and managing files. It allows users to perform system tasks through command-line instructions. Windows 11 also supports Windows PowerShell and Windows Terminal for enhanced command-line functionality.
To reset the Command Prompt to default settings, open it, right-click the title bar, and select Defaults. In the Defaults window, restore all settings to their original values and click OK to apply the changes. This will revert the Command Prompt to its default configuration.
