What is WindowsTerminal.exe?

WindowsTerminal.exe is the executable file for the Windows Terminal, a modern terminal application developed by Microsoft for Windows 10 and later. It is a legitimate Microsoft application, typically located in a folder such as C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_<version>__8wekyb3d8bbwe.

Windows Terminal is a powerful tool for users who work with command-line tools and shells. It is not a shell itself, but rather a host application that can run various command-line shells in a multi-tabbed interface. This includes traditional shells like Command Prompt (cmd.exe) and PowerShell, as well as shells for the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), such as bash. Its key features include multiple tabs, panes, custom themes, and configurations, making it a significant upgrade over the traditional Windows Console Host.

This file is needed to run the Windows Terminal application. For developers, system administrators, and power users who frequently use command-line interfaces, WindowsTerminal.exe is an essential component for a more efficient and customizable workflow. It provides a centralized and enhanced experience for managing various command-line environments.

A user might consider removing it if they do not use command-line tools and prefer to free up a small amount of disk space. For a typical user who only interacts with the graphical user interface of Windows, the Windows Terminal might be unnecessary. However, as it is now the default command-line experience in recent versions of Windows, removing it might cause minor issues if other applications expect it to be present. As with any executable file, there is a small chance that malware could disguise itself with the same filename. If you suspect the file is malicious, it might be located in a different directory than the official one. For further analysis and to verify the legitimacy of the process, you can use the Security Task Manager, which can provide more detailed information about the file's origin and behavior.