Opening a terminal depends on your operating system

A terminal is a text-based window where you type commands to control your computer. The steps to open one are different on Windows, macOS, and Linux, but the process takes less than a minute on any of them. Once open, you'll see a blank screen with a blinking cursor — that's where you type.

The terminal itself doesn't do anything until you give it a command. It's just the doorway to the command line. What matters is knowing where to find that doorway on your specific system.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 and 11, press the Windows key and type "Terminal" or "Command Prompt" to find and open it immediately.
  • On macOS, open Spotlight by pressing Command+Space, type "Terminal", and press Enter.
  • On Linux, right-click the desktop or use your application menu to find Terminal, or press Ctrl+Alt+T on most distributions.
  • Once open, you'll see a prompt (usually a $ or >) where you can start typing commands.
  • If you're new to the terminal, start by typing simple commands like pwd (show current folder) or ls (list files) to get comfortable.

Opening Terminal on Windows

Windows has two terminal programs: Command Prompt (the older one) and Windows Terminal (the newer one). Windows Terminal is faster and more flexible, so start there if you have Windows 10 or 11.

Press the Windows key on your keyboard. Type "Terminal" and you'll see Windows Terminal appear at the top of the search results. Click it or press Enter. A new window will open with a dark background and a blinking cursor. That's your terminal.

If you don't see Windows Terminal, you have Command Prompt instead. Press the Windows key, type "Command Prompt", and press Enter. It works the same way — you'll get a window where you can type commands. The difference is mostly cosmetic; both do the job.

You can also right-click on the Start menu and select "Terminal" or "Command Prompt" directly, depending on your Windows version.

Opening Terminal on macOS

On a Mac, the terminal program is called Terminal. The fastest way to open it is through Spotlight, which is the search tool built into macOS.

Press Command+Space (hold Command and tap Space). A search box will appear in the center of your screen. Type "Terminal" and you'll see the Terminal application listed. Press Enter or click it. A new window opens with a white or dark background (depending on your settings) and a prompt that usually looks like your computer name followed by a dollar sign ($).

You can also open Terminal through Finder. Click the Finder icon in your dock, go to Applications, then Utilities, and double-click Terminal. This takes longer, so Spotlight is usually faster once you get used to it.

Opening Terminal on Linux

Linux distributions vary, but most have a terminal program you can open in one of three ways. The easiest depends on which Linux desktop you're using.

On Ubuntu, Fedora, and most other distributions, press Ctrl+Alt+T. A terminal window will open immediately. If that doesn't work, right-click on your desktop and look for an option that says "Open Terminal Here" or "Open in Terminal". Click it and you're done.

If neither of those works, open your application menu (usually a button or icon in the top-left or bottom-left corner of your screen), search for "Terminal", and click the result. The terminal will open with a prompt, usually showing your username and computer name followed by a dollar sign ($).

What you'll see when the terminal opens

Regardless of your operating system, a terminal window looks similar: a dark or light background with text. At the bottom or top, you'll see a prompt — a line of text that ends with a symbol like $, #, or >. This is where you type.

The prompt usually includes your username and the name of the folder you're currently in. For example, it might say james@computer:~$. The tilde (~) means you're in your home folder. Don't worry about what all of this means yet — the important thing is that the cursor is blinking and waiting for you to type.

If you see a prompt, the terminal is ready. You can now type a command and press Enter to run it. If you don't see a prompt or the window is blank, wait a moment — it may still be loading.

Closing the terminal

When you're done, close the terminal the same way you'd close any other window: click the X button in the top-right corner (on Windows and Linux) or top-left corner (on macOS). You can also type exit and press Enter, which will close the window automatically.

Closing the terminal doesn't delete anything or cause problems. It just shuts down that window. Any files you created or changed while using the terminal remain on your computer.

Troubleshooting if the terminal won't open

If you follow the steps above and nothing happens, try these fixes. On Windows, make sure you're pressing the Windows key (the key with the Windows logo), not another key. On macOS, confirm you're holding Command (the key with the Apple logo), not Control. On Linux, try opening your application menu manually instead of using the keyboard shortcut.

If the terminal opens but immediately closes, you may have accidentally typed a command that exited it. Try opening it again and don't type anything — just let it sit. If it stays open, you're good. If it closes again, your system may have a configuration issue, and you should check the documentation for your specific Linux distribution or Windows version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to use the terminal?

Yes, as long as you only type commands you understand. The terminal does exactly what you tell it to do, so if you copy and paste a command from the internet without understanding it, you could accidentally delete files or change settings. When you're learning, stick to simple commands like ls (list files) or pwd (show current folder).

Can I have multiple terminal windows open at once?

Yes. Open the terminal again using the same steps, and a second window will appear. You can have as many terminal windows open as you want. Each one is independent — a command in one window doesn't affect the others.

Why does my terminal look different from the examples I see online?

Terminal appearance varies by system, version, and custom settings. The prompt might be a different color, the background might be different, or the text might look different. None of this matters — if you see a prompt and a blinking cursor, it works the same way. The commands you type will behave identically.

What should I type first if I'm new to the terminal?

Try typing pwd and pressing Enter. This shows the folder you're currently in. Then type ls (on Mac or Linux) or dir (on Windows) and press Enter. This lists the files in that folder. These are harmless commands that let you explore without changing anything.