Set-EnvironmentVariable

Creates or sets an environment variable.

Syntax

Set-EnvironmentVariable [-Name] <String> [-Value] <String> [-ForProcess] [-ForUser] [-ForComputer] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

Description

Uses the .NET Environment class to create or set an environment variable in the Process, User, or Machine scopes.

Changes to environment variables in the User and Machine scope are not picked up by running processes. Any running processes that use this environment variable should be restarted.

Related Commands

Parameters

Name Type Description Required? Pipeline Input Default Value
Name String

The name of environment variable to add/set.

true false
Value String

The environment variable's value.

true false
ForProcess SwitchParameter

Sets the environment variable for the current process.

false false False
ForUser SwitchParameter

Sets the environment variable for the current user.

false false False
ForComputer SwitchParameter

Sets the environment variable for the current computer.

false false False
WhatIf SwitchParameter false false
Confirm SwitchParameter false false
CommonParameters This cmdlet supports common parameters. For more information type
Get-Help about_CommonParameters.

EXAMPLE 1

Set-EnvironmentVariable -Name 'MyEnvironmentVariable' -Value 'Value1' -ForProcess

Creates the MyEnvironmentVariable with an initial value of Value1 in the process scope, i.e. the variable is only accessible in the current process.

EXAMPLE 2

Set-EnvironmentVariable -Name 'MyEnvironmentVariable' -Value 'Value1' -ForComputer

Creates the MyEnvironmentVariable with an initial value of Value1 in the machine scope, i.e. the variable is accessible in all newly launched processes.