New instance behavior: Attach to the most recently used window doesn't work

[stanio]

Windows Terminal version

1.19.10821.0

Windows build number

10.0.19045.4170

Other Software

Using Clink v1.6.10.d5dce0 with Command Prompt (cmd) – unsure if it makes any difference.

Steps to reproduce

1. Open a new Windows Terminal window (close any previously opened)
2. Ensure Settings / Startup / New instance behavior: Attach to the most recently used window
3. Run a console app/command (f.e. Win+R: cmd /c pause)

Expected Behavior

A new tab in the existing Windows Terminal window is opened to handle the console application.

Actual Behavior

A new Windows Terminal window is opened to handle the console application.

[github-actions]

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Open similar issues:

• New instance behavior doesn't work as expected with multiple monitors (#14130), similarity score: 0.82

Closed similar issues:

• Windows Terminal as default terminal doesn't play well with existing windows (#16189), similarity score: 0.79
• Opening new instance of CLI apps opens new window in Windows terminal instead of opening a new tab in the existing window (#11102), similarity score: 0.78

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[zadjii-msft]

At any point, is anything here running as admin? Or a quake mode window/?

(#15509 and #16487 both have instances where I think defterm plays weird with the remoting we need for glomming)

[stanio]

Not running as admin (elevated) and no quake-mode window – I've verified there's no "WindowsTerminal.exe" process in the Task Manager details, before launching the Terminal, and Win+~ doesn't open a quake-mode window, at this point.

All console applications/commands open in the same new window, if I keep it open otherwise – that's what I'm currently doing as a workaround: Start Terminal using Win+R: cmd /c pause, then I open a new tab use just that window. All console apps open in that same window, then.

[stanio]

All console apps open in that same window, then.

Ah, and then other instances like "Open in Terminal" Explorer context menu start opening in a new window. 😕