Environment variable behavior in Windows

Question

I have a question regarding environment variables in Windows. So, I set an environment variable using SETX command:

SETX my_var VAR

After that, I use SET m to see if my variable is set. It shows it isn't. However, the variable appears in HKCU\Environment. I exit the command prompt window and open a new one. Typing SET m again makes my variable appear. I restart explorer.exe and open a new command prompt window. When using SET m, my variable isn't there anymore, but it is in HKCU\Environment.

I don't understand this behavior. Shouldn't it appear also after restarting explorer.exe, giving the fact that it is still in HKCU\Environment? I am missing something, I just don't understand what.

Later edit: I have tried doing the same thing on a computer running Windows 7 and I found out there is no problem. Don't know what is wrong in my case. I want anyway to thank everybody for their help.

possible duplicate of [how do I retrieve a value after using setx?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/24059311/how-do-i-retrieve-a-value-after-using-setx) — Loïc MICHEL, Aug 20 '14 at 09:04
I've already done that (opening another command prompt window - it is working indeed). My problem is why it is not working anymore after restarting explorer.exe? — pixie, Aug 20 '14 at 09:06
try using `/m` : /m Specifies to set the variable in the system environment. The default setting is the local environment. — Loïc MICHEL, Aug 20 '14 at 09:21
I ran it with Administrator privileges. Is it this what you are referring to? — pixie, Aug 20 '14 at 09:33

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 20 '14 at 09:03

0

Works for me on windows 8.1 What windows version are you on?

answered Aug 20 '14 at 09:03

nire

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8.1 pro for me too. I am seeing the exact same things you see. However, after restarting explorer i do see my_var when executing set m in a cmd box. You're pc/user account is not on some policy that resets the env variables? – nire Aug 20 '14 at 09:24
That I do not know [not my personal home computer]. But if it were, shouldn't the variable no longer appear in HKCU\Environment after restarting explorer.exe? I will investigate on your remark anyway. – pixie Aug 20 '14 at 09:30

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 20 '14 at 09:40

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setx sets the variable for future sessions, not any existing session (including this one).

No-one ever claimed that there was any logical reason for the 'not this one' quirk. It's eacy to overcome though - just add SETXX.BAT somewhere on your path

SETXX.BAT

SETX %1 %2
set "%1=%2"

and execute it as

call SETXX my_var VAR

(you may need to play around with quotes if you are attempting to set(x) a value containing spaces)

answered Aug 20 '14 at 09:40

Magoo

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Still not working. Restarting explorer.exe is the problem, although I cannot see why this is happening. – pixie Aug 20 '14 at 09:57

Environment variable behavior in Windows

2 Answers2