Windows 7 Custom Environment Variable Disappears

Question

I am trying to set a custom environment variable in Windows 7, which needs to be done programmatically as it must be set on multiple computers.

I have been testing one a single machine, but When I create it programmatically, it exists for that session (i.e. in DOS when the command window is open, or in Powershell when the ISE is open) - however, when I close the session the variable disappears?

How do I make it permanent?

Thanks,

Ben

tony roth · Answer 1 · 2010-07-16T21:24:25.507

3

for users
wmic environment create name='test', variablevalue='air',username='domain\username'

for computer
wmic environment create name='test', variablevalue='air',username='system'

can work remotely by using the /node: paramter

maybe overkill but

http://blogs.technet.com/b/heyscriptingguy/archive/2010/06/03/hey-scripting-guy-can-i-use-windows-powershell-to-read-a-text-file-and-update-an-environment-variable-on-remote-computers.aspx

edited Jul 16 '10 at 21:24

answered Jul 16 '10 at 16:42

tony roth

3,884
18
14

As tony has suggested, add it to the user or system environment variables in the advanced system properties. – joeqwerty Jul 16 '10 at 17:38
Sorry - didn't make it clear in the question: This needs to be done programatically as I need to roll out the variable to multiple laptops. – Ben Jul 16 '10 at 19:58
@ben see the updated answer for more details – tony roth Jul 16 '10 at 21:24
use @shay's method! – tony roth Jul 19 '10 at 20:09

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 18 '10 at 19:58

1

The basic syntax is:

[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable(<name>,<value>,<EnvironmentVariableTarget>)

This will create a new permanant env variable for the logged on user:

[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("NewVar","NewValue","User")

And this one for the system:

[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("NewVar","NewValue","Machine")

answered Jul 18 '10 at 19:58

Shay Levy

969
1
5
5

This needs a reboot to become "visible", right? Is there a way for it to become available instantly? – Ben Jul 20 '10 at 11:33
Basically yes, if you want it to be visible to a certain application then just restart that app. – Shay Levy Jul 21 '10 at 14:57

Windows 7 Custom Environment Variable Disappears

2 Answers2