I'm setting up a custom command line utility, and the 'installer' adds a PATH entry. It works after this for the current session. After I close and open the command prompt, the PATH is reset and the command line isn't available any more. What's this about and how do I permanently set it from CMD?

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1 Answer

How do I permanently set the PATH from a cmd shell?

You need to use setx instead of set.

Example:

SetX PATH "c:\my dir;%PATH%"

Notes:

• "s are recommended in case any of the path elements contain spaces.
• The cmd shell should be run as Administrator.
• Use /m to set the PATH in the system environment instead of the user environment.

Warning:

• See my answer Why does Windows have a limit on environment variables at all? for a discussion on how long the PATH is allowed to be without errors.

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Further Reading

• An A-Z Index of the Windows CMD command line - An excellent reference for all things Windows cmd line related.
• setx - Set environment variables permanently, SETX can be used to set Environment Variables for the machine (HKLM) or currently logged on user (HKCU).

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