How to Add or Remove Scrollbar in Windows Terminal

Customizing the scrollbar visibility in Windows Terminal can enhance your user experience by making your workspace cleaner or providing easier navigation. Whether you prefer to hide the scrollbar for a minimalist look or want it always visible for quick scrolling, adjusting this setting is straightforward. Before you start, ensure you have Windows Terminal installed on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 device. The process involves editing the settings JSON file, which gives you granular control over the terminal’s appearance and behavior.

What You’ll Need

• Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC
• Windows Terminal installed (preferably the latest version)
• Basic familiarity with editing JSON files (optional but helpful)

Step-by-Step

1. Open Windows Terminal. You can do this by clicking the Start menu, typing “Windows Terminal,” and selecting the app from the results.
2. Access the Settings. Click on the downward arrow next to the tab bar or press Ctrl + , (comma) to open the Settings UI.
3. Locate the Settings JSON file. In the Settings UI, scroll down and click on “Open JSON file” or “Open settings.json.” This opens the configuration file in your default text editor.
4. Find the profile you want to modify. Profiles are listed under the “profiles” object. Usually, the default profile is named “Command Prompt,” “PowerShell,” or similar.
5. Within the profile object, locate or add the “scrollbar” settings. To add or modify scrollbar visibility, include the following lines:

   {
     "scrollbar": {
       "show": true/false
     }
   }

6. Set the “show” property to either true or false:
   • To add a scrollbar: “show”: true
   • To remove (hide) the scrollbar: “show”: false
7. Save the changes in your JSON file and close the editor.
8. Reload Windows Terminal or restart it to apply the new settings. The scrollbar will now appear or be hidden based on your configuration.

Common Mistakes

• Editing the wrong JSON file: Ensure you are modifying the correct settings.json file linked to your Windows Terminal instance.
• Incorrect JSON syntax: Missing commas, brackets, or quotes can cause errors. Use a JSON validator if needed.
• Forgetting to save changes: Always save the file after editing before restarting Windows Terminal.
• Not restarting Windows Terminal: Changes won’t take effect until the application is restarted or the profile is reloaded.

Tips

• Backup your settings.json before making significant changes to prevent accidental misconfigurations.
• Use the Settings UI for easier customization if you’re not comfortable editing JSON directly.
• Explore other scrollbar settings such as “scrollbarState” which can control whether the scrollbar auto-hides or remains visible.
• Combine scrollbar customization with other appearance settings like themes and font sizes for a tailored experience.

Troubleshooting

If your scrollbar setting does not seem to work as expected, try the following:

• Double-check the syntax in your settings.json file. Use a JSON validator to ensure there are no errors.
• Ensure you are editing the correct profile. Some profiles may have their own scrollbar settings.
• Restart Windows Terminal completely after saving changes to apply new settings.
• If using Windows Terminal Preview, verify that your version supports the scrollbar settings. Update to the latest version if necessary.
• Reset your settings to default and reapply your desired changes if issues persist.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I hide the scrollbar only for specific profiles?

Yes, you can customize each profile separately by editing its settings in the JSON file and setting the “scrollbar”: { “show”: false } for that profile.

2. How do I enable the scrollbar if it’s hidden by default?

Set “show”: true in the profile’s scrollbar settings in your settings.json file and restart Windows Terminal.

3. Is it possible to auto-hide the scrollbar?

Yes, Windows Terminal supports “scrollbarState” settings like “auto” to hide the scrollbar when not in use. Add “scrollbarState”: “auto” in your profile settings.

4. Will changing scrollbar settings affect performance?

Typically no. Customizing scrollbar visibility is a visual setting and does not impact terminal performance.

5. Can I customize scrollbar appearance beyond visibility?

Currently, Windows Terminal’s customization options for scrollbar appearance are limited to visibility. More advanced styling may be supported in future updates.

6. How often do I need to update the settings.json file?

Only when you want to change the scrollbar visibility or other appearance options. Regular updates are not necessary unless you customize frequently.

By following these steps and tips, you can easily add or remove the scrollbar in Windows Terminal, tailoring your environment to your preferences and improving your workflow efficiency.

Related

• How to Add a Checkbox in Google Sheets on iPad
• How to Add a Check Box in Word for Forms and Lists
• How to Add a Check Box in Microsoft Word for Office 365