The command line on Windows has long been viewed as an intimidating frontier for the average user. Its appearance can evoke feelings of obsolescence, often perceived as a tool reserved for developers. However, with the right selection of tools, the command line can transform into a streamlined experience, enhancing speed and efficiency beyond the traditional point-and-click methods of navigating menus and managing files. The default Command Prompt and PowerShell may serve their purpose, but they lack the intuitive design that modern users expect. Enter Windows Terminal, a game changer that redefines the command line experience.
Windows Terminal introduces features such as tabbed browsing, enhanced text rendering, and improved copy-and-paste functionality, all while supporting multiple shells in one unified interface. This evolution shifts the command line from a relic of the past to a contemporary application, making it the starting point for power users. With a fast, readable, and flexible interface, the command line ceases to be a barrier and instead becomes a valuable asset. As users become more comfortable with it, they find that other tools become less daunting and significantly more beneficial.
Install all your apps at once instead of one by one
Queue everything up, let it run in the background, and skip the usual routine
Winget revolutionizes the often tedious process of setting up a new Windows PC by allowing users to install multiple applications simultaneously in the background. Gone are the days of opening a browser, searching for each app, and navigating through a series of installation prompts. With Winget, users can queue up their desired applications and let the system handle the rest.
This means you can install several applications at once while engaging in other tasks. By chaining installations or utilizing a simple script, you can kick off the process and return to find your essential tools—like browsers, utilities, and core applications—already configured. This method replaces the monotonous “next, next, finish” routine with a swift and consistent experience.
Winget covers a wide array of commonly installed applications, making it an effective starting point for any new setup. Instead of hunting for individual installers, everything is managed in one streamlined process. Here’s a quick example of how to install popular applications in one go:
winget install 7zip.7zip
winget install VideoLAN.VLC
winget install Google.Chromewinget
winget install Mozilla.Firefox
winget install Git.Git
winget install Spotify.Spotify
winget install SlackTechnologies.SlackTo check if your PC has Winget installed, simply open Windows Terminal and run winget --version.
Make the terminal easier to read and actually useful
A cleaner prompt with helpful context turns the command line into something you’ll want to use
Oh My Posh enhances the default PowerShell prompt, transforming it into a more informative and visually appealing interface. Instead of a basic path and cursor, it can display your current folder, Git status, and other contextual information directly in the prompt. With a variety of themes available, users can choose a simple layout or opt for a more detailed view as needed. This customization makes the terminal feel less opaque and more responsive, providing valuable feedback without extra effort.
While it does require a small setup step, the immediate benefits are worth it. To get started, install it using winget install JanDeDobbeleer.OhMyPosh, then open your PowerShell profile with notepad $PROFILE and add the following line:
oh-my-posh init pwsh | Invoke-ExpressionAfter saving the file and restarting Windows Terminal, users will notice a significant improvement in the terminal’s appearance and functionality.
Track changes and undo mistakes for any files
Git works with documents, scripts, and notes, giving every folder a built-in safety net
Often associated with software development, Git is fundamentally a tool for tracking changes and reversing mistakes, making it invaluable for anyone managing files. Whether editing scripts, maintaining notes, or organizing configuration files, Git provides a reliable safety net. Users can revert to previous versions, review changes, or recover deleted items, allowing for experimentation without the fear of permanent loss.
Getting started with Git is straightforward. Install it via winget install Git.Git, navigate to any folder in the terminal, and run git init. From there, basic commands like git add, git commit -m "message", and git status enable users to track their changes effectively. Even without delving into advanced workflows or using GitHub, users can leverage Git’s capabilities to manage and safeguard their files efficiently.
View files instantly without opening Notepad
Syntax highlighting and clean formatting make text files easier to read at a glance
Typically, opening a file on Windows involves launching Notepad and confronting a wall of unformatted text. The bat command simplifies this process by allowing users to view files directly in the terminal, complete with syntax highlighting, line numbers, and clean formatting. This enhancement makes it easier to scan logs, configuration files, scripts, and other text documents.
While bat is not a full-fledged editor and does not aim to replace applications like Notepad or VS Code, it excels at providing a quick and efficient way to inspect files. To install it, use winget install sharkdp.bat, and then simply type bat filename.txt whenever you need to quickly view a file. This small upgrade addresses one of the most basic yet frustrating aspects of the default Windows experience.
This simple setup is how power users make Windows faster and easier
While none of these tools are mandatory, together they significantly enhance the Windows user experience. This setup minimizes the small frictions that accumulate over time, allowing applications to install seamlessly in the background, files to be more accessible, and the command line to become a tool users actively want to engage with. Adopting even one or two of these tools can lead to a faster, more predictable, and ultimately more efficient Windows environment.
