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Copilot AI commented Dec 18, 2025

Users were confused about which Windows versions support Terminal, particularly regarding build numbers and Windows Server compatibility. The README mentions build 19041, but comprehensive OS requirements were not documented.

Changes

distributions.md

  • Added System Requirements section at top with support matrix showing Windows 10/11 and Server versions
  • Included both friendly version names ("Windows 10 version 2004") and build numbers ("19041+") for clarity
  • Added explanation of why Server 2016/2019 are unsupported (based on older builds lacking required platform APIs)

install.md

  • Added System Requirements callout linking to detailed matrix

Result

| Operating System | Version | Build Number | Supported |
|------------------|---------|--------------|-----------|
| **Windows 11** | All versions | 22000+ | ✅ Yes |
| **Windows 10** | Version 2004 (May 2020 Update) and later | 19041+ | ✅ Yes |
| **Windows 10** | Version 1909 and earlier | 18363 and earlier | ❌ No |
| **Windows Server 2022** | All versions | 20348+ | ✅ Yes |
| **Windows Server 2019** | All versions | 17763 | ❌ No |
| **Windows Server 2016** | All versions | 14393 | ❌ No |

Addresses microsoft/terminal#15864 feedback requesting PowerShell-style requirements documentation.

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Original prompt

This section details on the original issue you should resolve

<issue_title>Need a clear doc page that shows which OS versions Terminal will run on</issue_title>
<issue_description>from microsoft/terminal#15864

Coming from this issue in the PowerShell Repo (that I created) I found PowerShell has this nice easy to understand document section for supported versions of windows

This Doc is the closest similar one & I think could be updated to show where you expect Terminal to actually run, like as show above would provide much needed clarity going forward.

I mean, it's pretty front and center at the top of the README

Windows Terminal requires Windows 10 2004 (build 19041) or later

But we can just add a note at the top of that docs page too. No need to have a whole matrix of options - it's just >10.0.19041 for all terminal versions.

Sorry but this is what I mean by it's not clear & why just using build numbers makes it unclear & would with a matrix with clearer notes as to why it's unsupportable on those os'es would likely have stopped you having ever had the support 2016/2019 issues being raised. It also does not help that Windows 11 still shows up as Windows 10 in many places being crystal clear helps stop confusion, and your docs in this case aren't crystal clear, hence the ask for a matrix. I know to you & others within & outside Microsoft that build numbers make a lot of sense, but the way they are right now is super confusing to many of us, especially if we are managing mixed estates.

Just trying to give some honest and useful feedback here that would definitely help many going forward for what isn't really a big ask in much needed clarity.

</issue_description>

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Learn Build status updates of commit d7985b2:

✅ Validation status: passed

For more details, please refer to the build report.

Co-authored-by: mattwojo <7566797+mattwojo@users.noreply.github.com>
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Learn Build status updates of commit b997869:

✅ Validation status: passed

File Status Preview URL Details
TerminalDocs/distributions.md ✅Succeeded View
TerminalDocs/install.md ✅Succeeded View

For more details, please refer to the build report.

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Copilot AI changed the title [WIP] Add documentation for supported OS versions of Terminal Add OS requirements matrix to documentation Dec 18, 2025
Copilot AI requested a review from mattwojo December 18, 2025 20:17
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Need a clear doc page that shows which OS versions Terminal will run on

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