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How to Change Windows Terminal Launch Size

By metsPosted on Posted in Sport Gear

How to Change Windows Terminal Launch Size

Adjusting the launch size of Windows Terminal allows you to customize your workspace, making it more comfortable and efficient for your daily tasks. Whether you want a larger window for better visibility or a smaller one to save space, changing the default size is straightforward once you know the steps. This guide walks you through the process, ensuring you can tailor your terminal experience to your preferences quickly and easily. Before starting, ensure you have Windows Terminal installed on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 device. If not, download it from the Microsoft Store.

What You’ll Need

  • Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC
  • Windows Terminal installed from the Microsoft Store
  • Basic familiarity with Windows settings and JSON configuration files

Step-by-Step

  1. Open Windows Terminal: Click on the Start menu, search for “Windows Terminal,” and launch the app.
  2. Access Settings: In Windows Terminal, click the downward arrow icon next to the tabs or press Ctrl + , to open the Settings menu. Alternatively, you can click the dropdown arrow and select “Settings” from the menu.
  3. Locate the Profile to Edit: In the Settings UI, select the profile you wish to modify (such as PowerShell, Command Prompt, or WSL). If you prefer editing the JSON directly, click on “Open JSON file” at the bottom of the Settings window.
  4. Modify the Launch Size: In the profile’s JSON configuration, find or add the initialRows and initialCols settings. These control the default window size in terms of rows and columns. For example: 
      "initialRows": 30,
  "initialCols": 100

    Adjust these numbers to set your preferred window size. Higher numbers result in a larger window, while lower numbers make it smaller.

  5. Save Your Changes: If editing JSON directly, save the file (usually settings.json) and close the editor. If using the UI, click “Save” or simply close the settings tab, which applies the changes automatically.
  6. Test the New Size: Restart Windows Terminal to see if the launch size matches your settings. If not, revisit the configuration and tweak the initialRows and initialCols values until satisfied.
  7. Optional – Set a Custom Startup Size: To have the terminal always open at a specific size, ensure your configuration includes the size parameters as described. You can also set different sizes for different profiles if needed.

Common Mistakes

  • Editing the wrong JSON file: Make sure you’re modifying the correct settings.json file, especially if you have multiple configurations or use a custom profile.
  • Incorrect JSON syntax: Ensure all brackets and commas are properly placed to avoid errors that prevent Windows Terminal from loading correctly.
  • Forgetting to save changes: Changes made in the UI might require clicking “Save,” while JSON edits need to be saved explicitly.
  • Not restarting the app: Changes to the configuration usually require restarting Windows Terminal to take effect.

Tips

  • Use the initialRows and initialCols parameters for precise control over window size.
  • Experiment with different sizes to find what works best for your workflow.
  • Backup your settings.json file before making significant changes, so you can revert if needed.
  • Combine size adjustments with other profile customizations for a personalized terminal experience.

Troubleshooting

If your changes do not take effect or the terminal does not launch with your preferred size, try the following:

  • Ensure you saved the settings.json file correctly and did not introduce syntax errors.
  • Close all instances of Windows Terminal and reopen it after making changes.
  • Check if the profile you’re editing is the one launching by default, especially if you have multiple profiles.
  • Reset the profile settings to default and then reapply your size adjustments.
  • If using Windows Terminal Preview, ensure you’re editing the correct configuration file for that version.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I set different launch sizes for different profiles?

Yes, you can specify initialRows and initialCols for each profile in the settings.json file, allowing customized sizes per profile.

2. What is the difference between initialRows/initialCols and window resizing?

These parameters set the default size when the terminal launches. Users can still resize the window manually afterward.

3. Is it possible to set the window size using a shortcut or command?

Not directly through commands, but you can create a custom shortcut that launches Windows Terminal with specific size parameters by scripting or using command-line arguments.

4. Will changing the size affect my terminal sessions or only the launch window?

Changing the size via configuration only affects the initial launch window. Ongoing resizing can still be done manually without affecting your saved settings.

5. Can I restore the default size if I make a mistake?

Yes, you can delete or reset the initialRows and initialCols settings in your profile configuration to revert to default behavior.

6. How often do I need to update these settings?

Only when you want to change the default launch size. Otherwise, manual resizing remains the easiest way to adjust window dimensions on the fly.

By following these steps, tips, and troubleshooting advice, you can easily customize the launch size of Windows Terminal to suit your workflow and screen setup. Enjoy a more comfortable and tailored command-line experience every time you open your terminal!

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