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!

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.)

• Find the section that lists my profiles:

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

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

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

Happy shelling!