How to Set and Check Environment Variables on Windows

Set via GUI

1. Search “environment variables” → “Edit the system environment variables”
2. “Environment Variables” → select “Path” → “Edit” → “New”
3. Click OK → restart your terminal

Check via Command Line

$env:PATH -split ";"    # PowerShell
echo %PATH%             # Command Prompt

Set Temporarily

$env:MY_KEY = "my_value"    # PowerShell (session only)
set MY_KEY=my_value          # Command Prompt (session only)

Common Pitfalls

• Changes don’t apply until the terminal is restarted
• User environment variables only affect the current user account

If npm still doesn’t work after fixing the PATH, see npm Command Not Working on Windows.

Related Posts

• npm Command Not Working on Windows
• How to Install Git on Windows and Configure It
• Install WSL2 on Windows
• Set Up Windows Terminal

Recommended Services

• Fiverr - Find freelance developers and tech experts