How to Change the Default Directory in Windows Terminal

Windows Terminal is a very useful tool in the Windows system. Further, it is a command-line front-end for Windows 10. In addition, you can do modifications to it. This application uses the current directory as a default one. Moreover, it is possible to change it for various directories. But, many users don’t know ‘How to Change the Default Directory in Windows Terminal?’. Do not worry at all. We are here for you people. We are providing thorough information regarding the same. You can apply it to your system. We assure you that this data will provide you with many benefits. Thus, let’s have a look at ‘How to Change the Default Directory in Windows Terminal?’. You can also check How to See When Apps Access Your Camera and Microphone on Android?

How to Change the Default Directory in Windows Terminal?

There is a facility to change the directory for PowerShell & Command Prompt. So, you can have better access to this directory. We are delivering here a tutorial on ‘How to Change the Default Directory in Windows Terminal?’. This comprehensive data will give you many advantages in various aspects. You will satisfy with the results you get. Thus, let’s start this amazing journey of information.

Methods Used to Change the Default Directory in Windows Terminal

There are various methods available for this purpose. We are providing here some of them for.

Method – 1 ) Changing Default Directory in Windows Terminal For PowerShell

You can change PowerShell’s directory easily. Moreover, this also uses the default directory for operation. So, just follow the steps given below to do so.

1 ) Select the ‘Windows Terminal’ Option

First of all, click on the ‘Start Menu’ on the left bottom side of the window. Then, search for the ‘Windows Terminal’ option & select it.

method 1 How to Change the Default Directory in Windows Terminal step 1

2 ) Select the ‘Settings’ Option

After that, click on the downward arrow symbol available on the window screen. Then, scrolling down, click on the ‘Settings’ option from the list.

settings window display
Image Source: howtogeek

3 ) Choose the ‘Notepad’ Option

Moving ahead, you should choose the code-editor application for editing purposes. Notepad is very convenient to use. Thus, click on the ‘Notepad’ option.

notepad selection window

4 ) Making Changes to the powershell.exe Profile

In addition to the above, this step is an important one. So, the setting file opens in Notepad. Then, reach the ‘Make changes to the powershell.exe profile’ segment. Now, place your cursor at the end of the last value. Add a comma (,) sign there.

Notepad editor for PowerShell

5 ) Provide the Path

Now, press the enter key to have a new line. Here you should provide the path. Keep in mind to enter the path in a double inverted comma. Further, replace the single slash with the double slash in the path.

The path should follow the structure “starting directory”: “C:\Users\Username\Desktop”. Replace the username with your own.

Path providing for PowerShell editor

6 ) Save the Changes

Now, click on the ‘File’ menu in your notepad. Then select the ‘Save’ option. So, this will make changes in the directory. Next time PowerShell will use this directory.

Saving the changes window

Thus, you can go for this method.


Method – 2 ) For Command Prompt

You can change the directory of Command Prompt also. You should follow the steps below to do so.

1 ) Open Windows Terminal Settings

The first thing you should do is to open the windows terminal settings. Follow the same procedure as above. So, follow the path ‘Windows Terminal > Settings’ for this.

Image Source: howtogeek

2 ) Provide the Path

You should do the changes as explained above. Now, provide the path here following the given structure.

“startingDirectory”: “PATH”

“startingDirectory”: “C:\Users\Username\Desktop”.

path providing window for command prompt

3 ) Save the Changes

Then, select the ‘File’ option. Then, click on the ‘Save’ option from the list. Thus, the command prompt will use this directory the next time.

saving changes window

Thus, you can use it this way.


In this way, following the above-mentioned methods, you can change the default directory in Windows Terminal.

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