Why Windows Terminal Is Now the Default Terminal in Windows 11

In July this year, Microsoft tested setting the system default terminal to Windows Terminal in the Windows 11 Beta. Now the setting is in the stable version; starting with Windows 11 22H2, Windows Terminal will be the default.

The default terminal is the terminal emulator launched when opening command‑line apps. Since Windows began, the default terminal has been conhost.exe. This update means all command‑line apps on Windows 11 will automatically open in Windows Terminal.

Windows Terminal has many modern features; it is new (first released May 2019 at Microsoft Build) and draws inspiration from modern terminals. It supports multiple tabs and panes, a command palette, and extensive customization options such as start directory, profile icons, custom background images, color schemes, fonts, and transparency.

Of course, if you don't want to use Windows Terminal, you can adjust the default terminal setting in Windows Settings → Privacy & Security → Developer mode and Windows Terminal settings (the update uses "Let Windows decide" as the default, i.e., Windows Terminal).

Also, if you had set another default terminal before the update, this update will not overwrite your preference.

For more details see the Microsoft blog: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/commandline/windows-terminal-is-now-the-default-in-windows-11/