How to Set Environment Variables in PowerShell

Learn how to set environment variables in PowerShell with this step-by-step guide. Discover different methods to manage environment variables for session-specific and permanent use in Windows PowerShell.
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Setting environment variables in PowerShell is a common task for system administrators and developers. Environment variables are used to store configuration values that can affect the behavior of running processes. This guide will walk you through the different ways to set and manage environment variables in PowerShell.

Temporary Environment Variables

Temporary environment variables are session-specific and will be lost once the PowerShell session is closed.

Setting a Temporary Environment Variable

To set a temporary environment variable, use the $env: drive in PowerShell:

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For example, to set a temporary environment variable named MyVariable with the value MyValue:

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You can verify the variable has been set by displaying its value:

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Removing a Temporary Environment Variable

To remove a temporary environment variable, you can use the Remove-Item cmdlet:

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For example:

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Permanent Environment Variables

Permanent environment variables are persistent across sessions and require modifying the system or user environment variables stored in the Windows registry.

Setting a Permanent Environment Variable for the Current User

To set a permanent environment variable for the current user, use the Set-ItemProperty cmdlet to modify the registry:

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For example, to set a permanent environment variable named MyVariable:

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After setting the variable, you might need to restart your session or reload the environment variables:

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Setting a Permanent Environment Variable for All Users

To set a permanent environment variable for all users, modify the system environment variables in the registry:

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For example:

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As with user-specific variables, you may need to restart your system or session to apply the changes.

Viewing Environment Variables

To view all environment variables, use the Get-ChildItem cmdlet on the Env: drive:

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This will list all the environment variables and their current values.

Conclusion

Managing environment variables in PowerShell is straightforward, whether you need temporary changes for the current session or permanent modifications that persist across sessions. Understanding these methods allows for better configuration management and can enhance your PowerShell scripting and administrative tasks.