Guide to Restoring Classic Blue PowerShell in Windows Terminal on Windows 11

The default aesthetic for Windows Terminal features a dark theme across all profiles, but users have the option to revert to the classic PowerShell colors.
Customization is possible via the Settings UI or by editing the settings.json file. Utilizing the “Campbell PowerShell” scheme will bring back the iconic blue background.

On Windows 11, the Windows Terminal comes equipped with a cohesive set of visual configurations, including a dark background that is consistently applied to all command-line profiles. This design decision enhances user experience by providing a seamless transition between Command Prompt, PowerShell, and other terminal shells within the same interface.

Nevertheless, this uniformity can be a drawback for seasoned users accustomed to distinct environments. Previously, Command Prompt and PowerShell operated as separate applications, with PowerShell’s unique blue backdrop serving as a quick visual indicator of the active environment. With the introduction of a singular dark theme in the Windows Terminal, this instant visual distinction has faded, leading to potential confusion for users switching contexts.

If you yearn for the nostalgic blue background that PowerShell is known for, the Windows Terminal allows you to effortlessly restore it. Users can assign a legacy color scheme specifically to the PowerShell profile by either utilizing the graphical settings interface or by directly modifying the settings.json file. This flexibility enables users to enjoy the modern functionality of the Terminal while maintaining their preferred visual style.

This guide will walk you through the steps to revert the default PowerShell color scheme within the Windows Terminal on Windows 11.

Restore classic PowerShell colors via the Terminal settings UI
Restore classic PowerShell colors by editing the Terminal settings.json file

Restoring Classic PowerShell Colors via the Settings UI

To return PowerShell to its traditional blue background using the settings UI, follow these steps:

Launch Windows Terminal.
Navigate to the main menu and select Settings (Ctrl+, ).
In the left pane, click on Windows PowerShell (or simply PowerShell for PowerShell 7 users).
On the right side, choose the Appearance settings.
Select the Campbell PowerShell option from the “Color scheme” dropdown.
Finally, click the Save button in the bottom-right corner.

After completing these steps, initiate a new PowerShell session, and you will see the traditional blue background restored.

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Restoring Classic PowerShell Colors by Editing the settings.json File

To revert to the classic color scheme using the settings.json file, please follow these steps:

Open Windows Terminal.
Click on the main menu and select Settings (Ctrl+, ).
From the bottom left corner, click on “Open JSON file”.
Edit the file to modify the color scheme accordingly.
Press Ctrl + S to save your changes.

Once you have executed these steps, the command-line interface will display the classic blue background associated with the traditional version of PowerShell.

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