How to set environment variables in Windows 11

Information about the operating system environment is stored in Environment Variables. Different settings are required for different programs and processes to run. Windows must ensure that all programs and processes on a single computer have access to the environments they require. This data includes details such as the operating system path, the number of processors used by the operating system, and the location of temporary files. In short, environment variables are simply data storage mechanisms. Let’s learn how environment variables work and how to add, change, and delete them correctly in this article.

What are environment variables?

An environment variable is a dynamically designated value that can influence the behavior of computing processes. They store the data and are a component of the process environment. The environment variable WINDIR, for example, specifies the location of the Windows installation directory. Programs can use this variable value to determine where Windows operating system files are stored. Some of the most common and significant environment variables are PATH, HOMEPATH, and USERNAME on Windows. All these variables store values ​​that any user or process in the system can access at any time.

Setting the environment variables

To use and configure environment variables, we need to get permission from the system administrator and have privileges. Therefore, you should inform the system administrator and seek their help if it is not. After you have these privileges, follow the steps below to configure Environment Variables.

Step 1: press simultaneously «Windows + R» and write «Sysdm.cpl».

Let’s look at an example to understand how to set environment variables. You have installed Audacity and want to add its path to Environment Variables (EV)

Step 1: click New in User Variables to create the EV.

Step 2: The new user variable box opens. Writes AUDACITY in the variable name.

Step 3: Now, click Browse directory and select where Audacity is installed.

Step 4: This will fill in the path in the variable value. Finally, click on it’s okay.

Step 5: This will create a new EV called AUDACITY and will be shown below.

Change environment variables

Step 1: Write « edit Env «In the search bar and click on Edit the environment variables for your account.

Step 2: click Environment Variables.

Step 3: Select any variable you want to change and click “Edit”.

Step 4: The Edit Environment Variable panel opens. Here, you can modify the value of the variable if you want and also the name and click on OK.

Step 5: You can also remove an environment variable by selecting that particular EV and clicking ” Delete”.

Variable PATH de Windows

What is the Windows PATH variable?

The PATH variable is simply an address book of your computer’s programs and commands. You must provide the address of any new software on your computer that you want to start from the command line interface in the PATH variable.

Windows looks up the address of a particular command as part of the process. When you issue a command from the command line, Windows looks for it first in the current directory. If the operating system cannot locate it in the current directory, it looks for the address in the PATH variable.

How to add to PATH variable?

Follow the steps below to modify the PATH in Windows

Step 1: Write «Edit Env» in the search bar and click Edit the environment variables for your account.

Step 2: click Environment Variables.

Step 3: Click the Variable PATH in system variables and click Edit.

Step 4: The Edit Environment Variable window opens. Now click New and add the new route you want to add. Finally, click on it’s okay.

NOTE: Along with this, you can also do many more modifications like edit, reorder or delete.

Step 5: you may need to RESTART your system for the changes to be reflected and the system will make sure all applications are running with this PATH change.

It’s about using environment variables in Windows.

I hope this article is informative.

Comment below and tell us about your experience.

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