Windows Terminal brings together the best command-line interfaces for Windows, including PowerShell, Command Prompt, and various Linux distributions through Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). One of its standout features is the ability to customize the appearance, including setting a custom background image. This visual enhancement can make your terminal sessions more engaging and personalized.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to set a custom background image in Windows Terminal:
Step 1: Open Windows Terminal. You can do this by searching for “Terminal” in the Windows Start menu or using the keyboard shortcut Windows key + X and selecting “Windows Terminal” from the menu.
Step 2: Click on the downward-facing arrow next to the new tab button and select “Settings” from the dropdown menu. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + , to open the Settings directly.
Step 3: In the Settings window, you’ll see a list of profiles on the left side. These profiles represent different command-line environments like PowerShell, Command Prompt, or WSL distributions. Select the profile for which you want to set a background image.
Step 4: After selecting a profile, click on the “Appearance” tab on the right side of the Settings window. Scroll down until you find the “Background image” section.
Step 5: Click on the “Browse” button next to the “Background image” option. This will open a file explorer window. Navigate to the location of the image you want to use as your background and select it. Windows Terminal supports common image formats like .jpg, .png, and .gif.
Step 6: Once you’ve selected an image, you can adjust its appearance using the additional options provided:
- Background image opacity: Use the slider to adjust how transparent or opaque the background image appears. A lower opacity allows more of the terminal’s base color to show through.
- Background image stretch mode: Choose how the image fits in the terminal window. Options include “none” (image stays its original size), “fill” (image covers the entire window), “uniform” (image fits within the window while maintaining its aspect ratio), and “uniformToFill” (image fills the window while maintaining its aspect ratio, potentially cropping parts of the image).
- Background image alignment: Select where the image should be positioned within the terminal window if it doesn’t fill the entire space.
Step 7: If you prefer to use your current desktop wallpaper as the terminal background, you can simply check the box next to “Use desktop wallpaper” instead of browsing for a specific image.
Step 8: After making your selections, click the “Save” button at the bottom of the Settings window to apply your changes.
Now, when you open a new tab or window with the profile you’ve customized, you’ll see your chosen background image behind your command-line interface.
Setting a custom background image in Windows Terminal is a simple way to add a personal touch to your command-line environment. Whether you choose a serene landscape, a motivational quote, or a sleek abstract design, this visual customization can make your terminal sessions more enjoyable and uniquely yours.