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Permanently altering a user's %PATH% environment variable via batch or Python

Asked 2009-07-21T00:31:34.547
9

I've been having difficulty with getting my users to set the PATH environment variable manually, I'm looking for a way to do this automatically. A batch file would be preferable, since that would require them to run it themselves (with a warning as to what they're doing), but an addition to the setup.py is acceptable as well.

Other information: SET only affects the current and derivative shells; the permanent values seem to be stored in the Registry somewhere (a place where I dare not tread).

windows batch-file environment-variables
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As David said, there is the SETX tool that you can get from the Windows Resource Kit.

However, I have found that SETX has trouble (like crashing) sometimes. I have not figured out exactly what the problem is, but I suspect it is a size issue (for example if you try to set a variable—in my case it was PATH—to a value that is too big, eg >1024 some odd characters).

I have found two other executables that can do the same thing. My favorite in particular is SetEnv by Jonathan “Darka” Wilkes over at CodeProject. He has made it quite useful, with good functionality, and it is compatible with all Windows systems—I suggested some features too. :)

Another option, if you are up to it, is to do it manually (actually adding the item to the registry and then either broadcasting a WM_SETTINGCHANGE to top-level windows, or restarting the shell/rebooting). However I think that SetEnv in a BATCH file is your best bet. ;)

answered 2009-07-21T02:44:21.700

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