Set Environment Variable in Windows with PowerShell

Setting environment variables is an essential task for software development, system configurations, and various applications. Environment variables store critical information like file paths, system settings, or software configurations, enabling programs to run smoothly and interact with the system efficiently.

In this blog post, we will learn how to set environment variables using PowerShell on Windows in simple and detailed language. This guide is perfect for beginners who want to understand how to manage environment variables with PowerShell commands.

Environment variables are special placeholders in the operating system that store information about system configurations, software installations, and user preferences. These variables help programs understand how the system is configured and where to find important files or directories.

• PATH: Specifies directories where executable files are located.
• TEMP: Stores the location of temporary files.
• JAVA_HOME: Points to the installation directory of Java.
• USERNAME: Stores the name of the logged-in user.
• SystemRoot: Represents the Windows system directory.

Environment variables are used in many situations, such as:

• Configuring software installations.
• Defining file paths for third-party tools.
• Sharing information between applications.
• Automating tasks in software development.
• Setting up development environments (like Python, Node.js, or Java).

PowerShell is a powerful command-line tool developed by Microsoft. It allows users to automate tasks, manage configurations, and interact with the Windows operating system. PowerShell provides built-in commands (called cmdlets) to manage environment variables easily.

Temporary environment variables only exist during the current session. Once you close PowerShell or restart your computer, these variables are deleted automatically.

$env:MY_VARIABLE = "Hello World"

To check the value:

echo $env:MY_VARIABLE

Output:

Hello World

Permanent environment variables remain available even after restarting the computer.

[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("MY_VARIABLE", "Hello World", "User")

To check the value:

Get-ChildItem Env:MY_VARIABLE

System-level environment variables are available to all users on the computer. These variables require administrative privileges.

[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("MY_VARIABLE", "Hello World", "Machine")

Restart your session if the variable doesn't appear immediately.

Get-ChildItem Env:

• Use descriptive names for custom variables.
• Use System Level variables for global configurations.
• Always back up existing variables before making changes.

Setting environment variables with PowerShell is a crucial skill for developers and system administrators. Whether you need temporary or permanent variables, PowerShell provides simple yet powerful commands to manage them.

With the detailed steps and examples in this guide, you can now set, modify, and delete environment variables confidently on your Windows system.