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Is there anyway to change the PATH environment variable (or variables in general) on Windows 7 Exterprise (64 bit) and have it take effect in PowerShell or the command prompt (cmd.exe) without requiring a restart?

I don't mind having the reopen the shell/prompt, but having to restart is too much.

I'm currently changing variables through Advanced Systems settings ->Environment Variables`.

HopelessN00b
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Danielb
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3 Answers3

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The requirement really isn't "must restart", it's "must log out/log back in" -- mostly for your current user processes to pick up the change.

If all you're interested in is for the variable changes to take effect in a command window or power shell, starting a new shell after making said changes should be all that's needed.

quack quixote
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In my Win7 (64-bit) the console command

path=drive:\dir;%path%

adds drive:\dir to the beginning of the current console's path without starting a new console. No idea why your Win7 should behave differently. I'd like to know how some programs add themselves to the %path% variable for every instance of the console, though.

To change the Windows 7 path manually, check: http://geekswithblogs.net/renso/archive/2009/10/21/how-to-set-the-windows-path-in-windows-7.aspx

Glorfindel
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TJGeezer
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2

I solved this problem by choosing Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell from the start menu, right clicking and choosing "Run as administrator". Then the new command window will recognize the changes to PATH, otherwise it does not. I don't know what will happen after a restart.

Rob
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