Windows Terminal is a powerful and fast command-line application that supports multi-tabs released in Windows 11 and Windows 10. It lets you access and uses Command Prompt, PowerShell, and also Windows Subsystem for Linux on it. Whenever you open Windows Terminal, you see a default starting directory. In this guide, we show you how you can change Starting Directory in Windows Terminal.

When you open Windows Terminal, you see C:%USERPROFILE%  as the default starting directory. You can change the default starting directory to the custom path you set in a few steps. Let’s see how we can change the default starting directory on Windows Terminal.

How to change Starting Directory in Windows Terminal

To change the starting Directory in Windows Terminal:

1. Open Windows Terminal as Administrator
2. Click on the drop-down button beside the tab
3. Select Settings
4. Click on Defaults under Profiles
5. Uncheck the box beside Use parent process directory
6. Browse the new directory
7. Click on Save

Let’s get into the details of the process.

Open Windows Terminal as Administrator using Win+X keyboard shortcut. Then, click on the drop-down arrow beside the tab and select Settings.

On the Settings page, click on Defaults under the Profiles section. Then, uncheck the button beside the Use parent process directory. It enables the Browse button to select a new directory.

As said earlier %USERPROFILE% is the default starting directory. To change it you need to click on the Browse button. Then, select the folder or directory you want and click OK on the explorer window.

The path for the new default starting directory would be visible in the Starting directory box. Then, click on the Save button at the bottom-right of the window.

Restart Windows Terminal to confirm the changes. The starting directory now will be set to the new directory you have set. This is how you can change the starting directory on Windows Terminal.

How do I change the main directory in the Terminal?

The main directory or the default starting directory is the same in the Windows Terminal. You need to go to Settings and click on Defaults under the Profiles section. Then, you have to uncheck the button beside the Use parent process directory and browse the directory to change. Then, save the changes.

How do I change the default Terminal in Windows Terminal?

To change the default Terminal in Windows Terminal, you need to open Windows Terminal and then go to Settings. In the settings, click on Startup and then click on the dropdown button under Default Terminal application and select your choice from the two available options like Windows Console Host or Windows Terminal. Then, click on Save to save the changes.

Read: How to use Windows Terminal Beginners Guide.