what are path and environment variables, and how I set or use them?

Question

I have tried to set the environment variables through command prompt and through control panel. but when i run the echo command its not showing the added path. Please help me to add the path.

Answer 1

The path environment variable is a list of directories. When you run a command, say ipconfig, Windows will try to find ipconfig in all directories present in the variable (i.e. C:\windows\system32;C:\windows;C:\windows\System32\Wbem;C:\windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\).

To add a new directory to %PATH%: set PATH=%PATH%;C:\your\directory. This is just for the current session. To add a path once and for all: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000549.htm