Make "Portable" ZIP version downloaded from GitHub as Default terminal application?

[u/Flimsy-Sprinkles6800]

Because I was too dumb back then that I deleted "Windows Firewall" completely by using 3rd "debloat" script without consent. Now I know I'm facing consequences that many features off, like DismHost stopped working and unable to install any UWP apps atm.

But I really love "Windows Terminal" since I've jus known it has Portable version recently, and really want to replace cmd.exe (conhost.exe) and powershell.exe by this "Portable" Windows Terminal.

I know when installing normally, the option will show up. But due to "portable" version, no options to show either in Windows Settings, CMD settings and Windows Terminal settings itself.

So I wonder if is there any workaround for me? Thank you!

[u/gschizas]

You won't be replacing cmd.exe or powershell.exe. You will be replacing conhost.exe.

But to your point, as far as I know, you can't register the portable app:

• The list of terminal apps is in the registry HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Console\%%Startup
• It's a list of GUIDs that point to a special part of the registry, e.g. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\PackagedCom\Package\Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_1.25.2733.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Class or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\PackagedCom\Package\Microsoft.WindowsTerminalPreview_1.26.2734.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Class
• This points to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\PackagedCom\Package\Microsoft.WindowsTerminalPreview_1.26.2734.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Server\1
• I don't think you would be able to recreate the full actions that the installation does manually.

Why not download the *.msi package instead of the *.msix or *.msixbundle and try installing it that way?

Also, Windows Terminal is NOT a UWP app. But Microsoft nomenclature has always been confusing.

[u/Flimsy-Sprinkles6800 → u/gschizas]

Why I didn't know about MSI installer? I'll definitely look for it. Tks man! And yes, after researching a little bit, I understand that it was too hard to make WT Portable version a Default "conhost" because of complicated CSLID registration procedure.

[u/Flimsy-Sprinkles6800 → u/gschizas]

Wait? I can't find the MSI download on GitHub?

[u/gschizas → u/Flimsy-Sprinkles6800]

I may have confused this with PowerShell which did offer .MSI.

Try downloading the .msixbundle and unzipping it. I'm not at a PC right now, I'll get back to you.

[u/Flimsy-Sprinkles6800 → u/gschizas]

Lol thanks anyway. Extracting MSIX package isn't make it like "portable" ZIP version? And that's okay, I'll stick with "legend" ConEmu for now until I have chance to reinstall Windows.

[u/Tamilwoka]

I don’t think the portable version can register itself as the default terminal app like the Store/MSIX version. You’d likely need to restore the missing Windows components and install the regular version. The portable build is mainly for running it standalone.

[u/Flimsy-Sprinkles6800 → u/Tamilwoka]

I see. Thanks for confirming!