How do I set the global PATH environment in a batch file?

Question

The group policy in our environment overwrites the PATH variable every time I log on and, as I run a 'non-standard' computer, it gets it completely wrong (C:\Windows vs C:\WINNT, missing directories etc). Currently, I manually change it every time I log on, but that is starting to get tiresome.

If I use the SET command to change the PATH variable in a batch file, it only has local scope so the change only applies to the commands in the batch file.

set PATH=C:\WINNT;C:\WINNT\System32
set PATH

This batch file will output the new path, but if I run set PATH on the command line afterwards, it will still be the original path.

How do I set the global PATH environment in a batch file? Or is there another technique I can use?

score 10 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 25 '09 at 22:16

10

You can use the setx command:

setx PATH C:\WINNT;C:\WINNT\System32 /m

Setx is available in Windows 2003 and later, but can be downloaded in the Support Tools for Windows XP.

answered Nov 25 '09 at 22:16

Phil Ross

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score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 25 '09 at 22:01

0

This is edited in system preferences -> [Environment variables]. There you add paths to $PATH

answered Nov 25 '09 at 22:01

kolypto

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That's what I'm doing at the moment, every time I log on. I want to do it in a batch file so it can be done automatically. – TallGuy Nov 25 '09 at 22:17

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 25 '09 at 22:28

To set your path in the registry so that it propagates to , you can create a PowerShell script that uses some variation of this:

[System.Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("PATH", $Env:Path + ";newpart", "user")

But when I tried it just now then looked at System Properties>Environment Variables it not only added my test path, but doubled the existing one. So that problem needs to be worked out.

Based on this page.

How do I set the global PATH environment in a batch file?

3 Answers3