Windows PATH Variable

Ever wonder why some programs you can launch from the command line or from Start > Run without entering the full path and others you can’t? Well it’s because the locations of those programs have their full directory path stored in the Windows Path variable. We can add our own locations to these, here is how:

Right Click My Computer > Properties > Advanced > Environment Variables
Under System Variables, highlight the entry for Path and click Edit.

In the value portion of the pop-up you can enter locations containing programs and batch files you want to quickly launch applications from. Make sure you separate them with a semicolon (;).

Example:
C:\My Stuff\Programs contains a program called Some_Program.exe. Normally to launch this program from Start > Run, you would have to enter C:\My Stuff\Programs\Some_Program. Just add the location C:\My Stuff\Programs to the Path variable, reboot your computer, then try just entering Some_Program into Start > Run.

Free eBook!

Like what you read?

If so, please join over 28,000 people who receive our exclusive weekly newsletter and computer tips, and get FREE COPIES of 5 eBooks we created, as our gift to you for subscribing. Just enter your name and email below:

Post A Comment Using Facebook

Discuss This Article (Without Facebook)

Leave a Reply

PCMech Insider Cover Images - Subscribe To Get Your Copies!
Learn More
Every week, hundreds of tech enthusiasts, computer owners
and geeks read The Insider, the digital magazine of PCMech.

What’s Your Preference?

Daily Alerts

Each day we send out a quick email to thousands of PCMECH readers to notify them of new posts. This email is just a short, plain email with titles and links to our latest posts. You can unsubscribe from this service at any time.

You can subscribe to it by leaving your email address in the following field and confirming your subscription when you get an email asking you to do so.

Enter your email address for
Daily Updates:

Weekly Newsletter

Running for over 6 years, the PCMECH weekly newsletter helps you keep tabs on the world of tech. Each issue includes news bits, an article, an exclusive rant as well as a download of the week. This newsletter is subscribed to by over 28,000 readers (many who also subscribe to the other option) - come join the community!

To subscribe to this weekly newsletter simply add your email address to the following field and then follow the confirmation prompts. You will be able to unsubscribe at any time.

Enter your email address for
Free Weekly Newsletter: