Windows Terminal gets Quake Mode feature for quick startup via shortcut

Microsoft has released a preview of Windows Terminal version 1.9. Among other things, the terminal is provided with a Quake Mode function, which allows users anywhere in Windows to open a terminal window via a shortcut.

The Quake Mode feature allows users to use the Win+` shortcut to open a terminal window, Microsoft wrote in a blog post. This Quake window will then appear in the top half of the screen. Users can close the Windows Terminal using the same shortcut. The feature will not work if users are already using the Win+` shortcut for another shortcut.

In addition, version 1.9 of the Windows Terminal adds a menu that allows users to customize their terminal settings. Currently, this is only possible by manually modifying a JSON file. Users can further set the Windows Terminal as the default terminal app. The Cascadia Code font will also receive an italic version.

Microsoft is also releasing preview 1.0 of its previously announced Windows Package Manager. This allows Windows 10 users to install, update or import packages via commands. According to Microsoft, the Windows Community repository currently contains more than 1,400 packages, including Visual Studio Code and PowerToys. The REST API also allows users to create private repos.

Users running an Insider build of Windows 10 can install the Windows Package Manager from the Windows Store. According to Microsoft, the software will be available “soon” for Windows 10 devices running version 1809 or later.

In addition, Microsoft is introducing a preview version of its Azure Communication Services Calling SDK, which will allow developers to add voice and video calling capabilities to their Windows applications. That feature should work on Windows devices with UWP support.

The Quake Mode feature. Image via Microsoft