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Windows cannot find wt.exe | Windows Terminal not opening[Fixed]

Avatar image of Sadique Hassan Sadique Hassan•Updated May 6, 2022

In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix the Windows cannot find wt.exe error wherein the Windows Terminal is not opening. The latest iteration of the OS has bought in a multi-tabbed terminal emulator that houses the likes of Command Prompt, PowerShell, WSL, SSH, and Azure Cloud Shell Connector. Apart from that, it also beholds tons of intriguing features, as well as a dedicated shortcut for near about every task that it could carry out, thereby streamlining the entire process.

Windows cannot find wt.exe Windows Terminal not opening

However, you could only make full use of these feature sets if you are able to access them in the first place. But according to various user reports, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Numerous users have voiced their concern that they are unable to open Windows Terminal. Whenever they are trying to do so, they are instead being greeted with the Windows cannot find wt.exe error message. If you are also in the same boat, then this guide shall help you resolve this bug. Follow along.

Fix Windows cannot find wt.exe | Windows Terminal not opening

Windows cannot find wt.exe

It is recommended that you try out each of the below-mentioned workarounds and then see which one spells out success for you. So with that in mind, let’s get started.

FIX 1: Manually Access Windows Terminal

If Windows is unable to launch the Terminal from the Start Menu then you should take the matters into your own hands. In other words, go to the app’s installation directory and then try manually launching it from there. Here’s how it could be done

  1. Bring up the Run menu via the Windows R shortcut, type in the below location, and hit Enter.
    %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps

    Windows cannot find wt.exe

  2. Then go to Microsoft.WindowsTerminal folder and double-click on the wt.exe file.Windows cannot find wt.exe
  3. Check if it opens the Windows Terminal and hence fixes the Windows cannot find wt.exe error.
  4. If it does, then let’s create its shortcut on the desktop for ease of access. So right-click on it and select Send to Desktop.Windows cannot find wt.exe
  5. That’s it. You could now easily access it directly from the Desktop as and when the need arises.

FIX 2: Re-Enable Windows Terminal

Next up, you should disable and re-enable the Terminal window. Doing so will refresh its underlying settings and this in turn might resolve the underlying issue as well. So let’s put it to the test and check out the results

  1. Bring up the Settings menu via Windows I shortcut keys
  2. Then go to Apps Apps and Features and click on More Settings.Windows cannot find wt.exe
  3. After that, select App execution aliases, scroll to Terminal, and turn off the toggle next to it.Windows cannot find wt.exe
  4. Now wait for a few seconds and then re-enable the toggle.
  5. Check if Windows Terminal is opening now and if it fixed the Windows cannot find wt.exe error.

FIX 3: Use SFC and DISM Commands

System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management are two command-line utility tools that scan for corrupt Windows files and then replace them with their working counterpart. The major difference between the two is whereas the SFC replaces the corrupt files with the working ones from the cached directory on your PC, DISM does so by downloading the working files from the online Microsoft servers. And as of now, we would be making use of both these tools to fix the underlying issue.

  1. Head over to the Start Menu, search Command Prompt, and launch it as an administrator.
  2. Then copy-paste the below command to open the SFC Tool:
    sfc /scannow

    Windows cannot find wt.exe

  3. Once the SFC Scanning is complete, it’s time to use the DISM Tool. So copy-paste the below command:
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

    Windows cannot find wt.exe

  4. Once DISM finishes the scanning, it is recommended to reboot your PC.
  5. Check if Windows Terminal is opening now and if the Windows cannot find wt.exe error has been fixed or not.

FIX 4: Repair and Reset Windows Terminal

If the app’s settings or configurations might have got corrupted, then you will have to reset the app back to its factory default state, just as it came out of the box with the OS. So proceed with the below steps to perform a reset and then test out the results.

  1. Bring up the Settings menu via Windows I shortcut keys
  2. Then go to Apps Apps and Features and scroll to Terminal.
  3. After that, click on the overflow icon next to it and select Advanced Options.Windows cannot find wt.exe
  4. Now click on Repair and check if it rectifies the issue. If it doesn’t, then go ahead and click Reset.Windows cannot find wt.exe
  5. Verify if Windows Terminal is opening now and if the Windows cannot find wt.exe error has been fixed.

FIX 5: Re-Install Windows Terminal

If none of the aforementioned methods spelled out success, then you will have to take the nuclear approach of uninstalling and then reinstalling the Terminal. Here’s how it could be done

  1. Bring up the Settings menu via Windows I shortcut keys
  2. Then go to Apps Apps and Features and scroll to Terminal.
  3. After that, click on the overflow icon next to it and select Uninstall.Windows cannot find wt.exe
  4. Agin click Uninstall in the confirmation dialog box.Windows cannot find wt.exe
  5. Then download and install the Terminal app from Microsoft Store [link].Windows cannot find wt.exe
  6. Now launch it and the issue should have been rectified.

So with this, we round off the guide on how you could fix the Windows cannot find wt.exe error wherein the Windows Terminal is not opening. We have listed five different methods for the same. Do let us know in the comments which one spelled out success for you. Likewise, all your queries are welcomed in the comments section below.

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