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Asked: 2024-09-27T04:56:16+05:30 In:

Is there a way to have several tabs open within a single PowerShell terminal window on Windows?

I’ve been diving deep into PowerShell lately and I’ve hit a bit of a snag that I hope some of you might be able to help me with. So, I’ve got this workflow where I’m often running multiple scripts and commands at the same time, and it’s becoming a real hassle having to juggle several separate PowerShell windows. I mean, I’m sure some of you can relate – trying to keep track of what’s happening in each one is like herding cats!

I’ve seen some folks mention features like tabs in other terminal applications, and it got me wondering — is there a way to open multiple tabs within a single PowerShell terminal window on Windows? I know there are quite a few terminal emulators out there, but I’m looking specifically for something that integrates smoothly with PowerShell without needing to run a whole different program.

There are times when I’m running a backup script in one tab, querying data in another, and maybe even setting up some scheduled tasks in yet another. If I could just switch between them seamlessly without having to minimize and maximize all the time, it would save me so much hassle and make everything feel a lot more organized.

I’ve tried searching around, but most of the solutions I find either involve opening a separate terminal or involve some heavy modifications that I’m not quite ready to dive into. I did come across something about Visual Studio Code’s integrated terminal supporting tabs, but I’m curious if there’s a way to get something similar in the standard PowerShell window.

As an alternative, I’ve been considering using Windows Terminal because I hear it’s pretty handy and allows for tabs — but then that poses another question: does it run just as smoothly with PowerShell scripts as the default console?

Anyway, if anyone has found a way to set this up or has tips on managing multiple PowerShell tasks effectively, I’d love to hear about it! Just looking for any insights or experiences you might have. Thanks!

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    2 Answers

    1. Using Windows Terminal is indeed one of the best solutions for managing multiple PowerShell scripts within a single interface. Windows Terminal allows you to open multiple tabs, and each tab can run a different instance of PowerShell. This enables you to keep your scripts organized—such as running a backup script in one tab while querying data in another—without having to deal with the chaos of multiple windows. To set up Windows Terminal, you can download it from the Microsoft Store or directly from GitHub, where it’s actively maintained. Once installed, you can easily create new tabs by pressing Ctrl + Shift + T, and you can customize each tab to run different shells, including PowerShell, Command Prompt, and even WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux).

      Regarding integration with PowerShell scripts, Windows Terminal runs smoothly with PowerShell just as the default console does. It has excellent performance, and you won’t encounter issues that would hinder script execution. Additionally, it supports features like color schemes, text formatting, and the ability to split panes, which further enhances your experience when managing multiple tasks. If you are already considering Visual Studio Code, you should know that it comes with a robust integrated terminal that supports tabs as well. However, for a more dedicated terminal experience with enhanced features like tabs and splits, Windows Terminal is the way to go. It’s specifically designed to improve the command line experience on Windows and aligns well with the PowerShell ecosystem.

    2. Hey, I totally get you! Swapping between multiple PowerShell windows can be super annoying.

      So, first off, if you haven’t checked out Windows Terminal, it’s pretty awesome for what you want! You can easily open multiple tabs there, each running its own PowerShell session, and it integrates with PowerShell seamlessly. Just download it from the Microsoft Store and you should be good to go!

      Once you’ve got Windows Terminal open, you can create a new tab by using the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + T or just click on the dropdown arrow in the title bar and select PowerShell. Super easy!

      I’ve found that it runs PowerShell scripts just as smoothly as the default console, maybe even faster! It even has some cool customization options, so you can tweak it to your liking with different colors and fonts.

      If you wanna stick with Visual Studio Code, you’re also in luck! The integrated terminal there supports tabs too, and it’s great for running scripts. Just hit Ctrl + ` to open the terminal, and you can easily switch between tabs.

      As for managing multiple tasks, you might want to use background jobs in PowerShell as well. You can run commands in the background with Start-Job which lets you keep track of everything without needing to open multiple windows. You can use Get-Job to check on them!

      Hope this helps you get more organized with your scripts. Happy scripting!

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