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Sean Killeen
Sean Killeen

Posted on • Originally published at seankilleen.com on

Getting Started With PowerShell Core in Windows Terminal

I believe in scripting and automation, and I have come to love PowerShell for its eloquence, especially in a Windows environment.

PowerShell Core really takes this to the next level. It is what PowerShell will be going forward. It is cross-platform (works on Windows, Mac, Linux), and is open-sourced (something I particularly love).

So, I wanted to work it into my Windows Terminal installation and make sure I’m using it by default so I can get used to any differences. Here’s how I did it!

  • I use [the Chocolatey package manager], so I installed windows terminal via choco install windows-terminal.
  • I installed PowerShell Core by running choco install powershell-core.
  • I opened Windows Terminal and check the list of shells. Great, PowerShell Core is in there!

The shell list in Windows Terminal, showing PowerShell Core in the list

But, it’s not yet my default. Let’s fix that.

  • Click the settings icon in the terminal, which opens a settings file (in VS code, in my case, because it’s a .json file.)

The settings link in in the shell list

  • Find the section that lists my profiles:

The settings file showing the location of the profiles list

  • Find the entry for Windows.Terminal.PowershellCore and copy the GUID

The profile entry for powershell core in the terminal settings, showing the unique identifier for it

  • Scroll up to the defaultProfile setting, and paste the GUID.

The unique identifier pasted into the default profile setting

  • Restart Windows Terminal, and bingo – my default shell is now PowerShell Core!

Windows terminal opened with an icon that indiciates that powershell core is the default

Happy shelling!

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