Edit or Add to PATH Environment Variable in Windows 10

Why Add to PATH?

PATH is an environment variable and by adding something to PATH, you are telling your system where to look when it's looking for a particular file. In this tutorial, I will be adding Python to my path. In essence, by adding Python to my PATH, I'm telling Windows, "hey, look here for Python."

By doing this, I don't have to write a book in my command line every time I want to run a Python file, like this:

  C:/Python3/Python my_python_code.py

Instead, I simply type this into my command line:

python my_python_code.py
It seems like a minor difference, but remember that you'll otherwise have to remember the path to your Python installation! In this tutorial, I will be using Windows 10 to get the job done. Let's get started!

Note: In this guide, we will be modifying system variables.This can affect how your system operates. Before making changes, it's always a good practice to back up your current PATH. You can do this by copying what's in your PATH field and pasting it somewhere safe. That way, if you've made a mistake, you have a backup.

How to Add to Your PATH environment variable in Windows 10

Let's get started adding Python 3 to the PATH. You can follow along with whatever you're adding to your system's PATH.

On the lower left-hand side of your screen, where it says "Type here to search", type "control panel" and navigate to your Control Panel.



The window that pops up is the Control Panel. Click "System and Security" at the top left-hand side of this window. If you don't see "System and Security", on the top right, click the dropdown box next to the words "View by" and switch it to Category.



Once in the System and Security tab, click "System." This will open a new window.


In this window, click "Advanced system settings." This will be on the right or the left-hand side of the window, depending on your system. This will open a window called "System Properties."


In the System Properties window, click the "Environment Variables..." button.


If you already have a Path variable, you'll just add to the current one:
  1. In the user variables section, select "Path." Then right below it, select "Edit." Copy what's in the "variable value" field and paste it somewhere safe (such as in an email to yourself.)
  2. In the section titled "variable name", you can name your variable whatever you want but try to be descriptive. I'm going to name mine "python3path".
  3. At the end of the list of variable values, add a semicolon, then skip to the "Adding Your Variable" section below.
If you don't have anything called "Path", you'll need to create a new one: Select "New. " This will open the "New user variable" screen. You can enter whatever you want in the name field.

Adding Your Variable

This is where things get a bit more difficult. Before moving further, you'll want to know the location of the application you're looking to add to your path.

In my case, I'm adding Python 3 to the path. For me, Python 3 is located at

  C:\Python30

In the "Variable value" section, put the location of the application you want to add to your path. I will put:

  C:\Python30

Then press "ok" on this screen. Don't forget to hit "okay" on the Environmental Variables screen as well.


Troubleshooting

Sometimes things might not work as expected after modifying the PATH. Here are some common mistakes people make:
  • Forgetting to separate paths with a semicolon.
  • Mistyping the directory path.
  • Not restarting command prompt or the system after making changes.

Try It Out!

Now that you've added an application to your path, it's time to test it out. In my case, I have created a Python script. The Python logo shows up on my script, so I know it's connected to Python via the PATH variable I set. However, this is just one sign that it's working. The best way to try it out is to open the command prompt and run it from there.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below. If you're having trouble with a particular section of this tutorial, check out the video guide above where I walk viewers through the process, step-by-step, showing how I add a variable to my PATH.
Location: Chicago, IL, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Open a File in Terminal or Command Prompt (Windows, MacOS, & Unix)

Image
In the realm of computing, the command-line interface (commonly referred to as the terminal) provides a versatile and powerful means of file manipulation. Mastering the use of your terminal is an invaluable skill. In this tutorial, I will show you how to open various types of files using the terminal across a variety of operating systems. Why Use Terminal While your GUI is intuitive and user-friendly, the terminal is indispensable for a range of tasks that require precision, automation, and batch processing (my favorite.) Utilizing the terminal enables you to write scripts to automate repetitive tasks or execute operations on multiple files simultaneously. Before we delve into specific commands, you'll need to identify where the terminal application can be accessed on your operating system. Windows: Use PowerShell or Command Prompt. MacOS: Your Terminal can be found in the Utilities folder within the Applications directory. Linux: Your terminal can usually be opened using the Ctr...
Read more

Fixed: YouTube Video Stuck 99% on Upload or Processing

Image
  I've had quite a few people come to me with an issue relating to uploading on YouTube. Their video upload slows significantly or stops completely. I've been there too (and it sucks). I designed this guide to help you finish your YouTube upload by learning why it got stuck and what you can do to fix it without (hopefully) starting over. Let's get started! Why Is My YouTube Upload Stuck? Before diving into some solutions, let's first understand why your video might have stopped while you were uploading it. Here are a few potential reasons: Internet Connection - This is one of the most obvious reasons. A slow or unstable internet connection can slow down or even stop a YouTube upload. File Size - YouTube has a maximum upload limit. If your video exceeds this limit, you will definitely have some problems uploading. File Format - YouTube supports a wide range of video formats. However, if you're trying to upload a video format that they don't support, it might ...
Read more

How to write to a file in Ruby

Image
Ruby is used for web development, automation, and data processing. In this article, we'll explore how to create files in the Ruby programming language, covering various methods and best practices. File handling is an essential aspect of programming that allows you to read from and write data to files. In Ruby, the File class provides a set of methods that make file manipulation straightforward and efficient. Whether you're working with text files, binary files, or any other type of file, you'll want to know how to create, read, and write files in Ruby. Creating a file in Ruby is a simple process that involves using the File class and some of its associated methods. Let's start with the basics. File.new The File.new method is one of the primary ways to create a file in Ruby. Here are two examples of how to use it: Two examples using File.new   file_name = File.new("example.txt", "w")   # use the w flag as shown above if   # you want to write to a new...
Read more