If I add C:\Program Files (x86)\WinMerge
to the User PATH
variable(by right click on computer -> advanced system settings -> environmental variables), once I open a new cmd shell WinmergeU.exe is not recognized. If I add that path to the System PATH
variable, WinmergeU.exe is correctly recognized instead. I though there was no difference between User and System, beside the fact that if I set it on System all the users will see it, while the User PATH
is local. Am I doing something wrong?
EDIT 1:
In the follow you can see first the case in which C:\Program Files (x86)\WinMerge
is added to the System PATH
variable (but not to the User), then when it is added to the User PATH
variable (but not to the System). In the first case Winmerge window launch correctly (not shown) and as you can see the path is shown by the echo %PATH% command. In the second case it does not launch and the path it is not shown by echo %PATH%. (note that I clearly confirmed with OK and closed the environmental variable windows before taking these screenshots, and I opened a new cmd right after changing PATH and pressing ok). This issue might be related to my question here (Does echo %PATH% expand to only the system or also the user variables?) but since it might not be I posted two different question.
The PATH environment variable is an important security control. It specifies the directories to be searched to find a command. The default systemwide PATH value is specified in the /etc/profile file, and each user normally has a PATH value in the user's $HOME/.
To add a path to the PATH environment variableIn the System dialog box, click Advanced system settings. On the Advanced tab of the System Properties dialog box, click Environment Variables. In the System Variables box of the Environment Variables dialog box, scroll to Path and select it.
An environment variable is used by the operating system to find the executable files. An environment variable is used by the Java compiler to find the path of classes. 2. PATH setting up an environment for the operating system.
General Information. The PATH is the system variable that your operating system uses to locate needed executables from the command line or Terminal window. The PATH system variable can be set using System Utility in control panel on Windows, or in your shell's startup file on Linux and Solaris.
You must be getting something wrong, or have environmental problems with your machine. Adding a user PATH
environment variable does result in it being merged into the environment of a new process.
Update: Perhaps this comment from the MSDN topic on environment variables might be pertinent:
Found out that on Windows Server 2003, once the system PATH passes 1920 characters, the user PATH environment variable is no longer merged with it to set the process PATH environment variable, even though the full system PATH (even if larger) will be included in the process PATH variable.
On Windows 7, also make sure that the system path does not end with a backslash. If it does, the USER PATH is appended to the system path as per usual, but after a line break, which breaks things. In the latter case, the simple command "path" and "echo %PATH% " will print 2 different outputs.
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With