1Install Windows Terminal
Windows Terminal is Microsoft's own tabbed terminal app — a standalone window you open on its own, separate from any editor. It comes straight from the Microsoft Store, the safe, official place to install it.
- Open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu.
- Search for "Windows Terminal."
- Click Install, then open it once the install finishes.
- You'll see a tabbed window with a command prompt — the PS C:\Users\YourName> text where you type. It waits until you press Enter.
2Set PowerShell as the Default Profile
Windows Terminal can open several different shells. This course uses PowerShell throughout, so set it as the default profile — the shell the terminal opens automatically.
- Click the small dropdown arrow next to the + (new tab) button.
- Select Settings.
- Under Startup, set Default profile to Windows PowerShell.
- Close Settings and open a new tab to confirm — it should open directly into a PowerShell prompt.
The "PS" in the Prompt
Once PowerShell is your default, every new tab starts with PS in the prompt. That's your confirmation it's set correctly.
Verification
Windows Terminal is installed and opens cleanly
A new tab opens directly into a PowerShell prompt (starts with "PS")
Related Resources
- claude.ai — Sign up and use Claude in your browser
- Claude documentation — Official documentation
- Claude support — Help center and account support
Lesson complete
You have a standalone terminal installed and set to PowerShell — one less unfamiliar thing when Module 3's install walkthrough gets there.