Overview – Check Environment Variables in Windows
Environment variables in Windows are used to store information that are used by applications and services. The Windows operating system defines a number of environment variables, and user applications and services can also further add additional environment variables.
When you start a Windows program, the operating system creates several environment variables that the program can use. These variables include the path to the application’s directory and any additional folders that the program requires access to.
It seems that you want to check compatibility issues among the numerous environment variables stored on your computer. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to list all environment variables in Windows:
1. Check Environment Variables using System Properties
Step 1: In the Start menu, search for “Edit the system environment variables” (without quotation marks) and hit the enter key.
Step 2: In the “Advanced” tab, click the “Environment Variables” button and all the environment variables on your system will be visible..
2. Check Environment Variables using Command Prompt
Step 1: Run the Command Prompt as an administrator from the Start menu.
Step 2: To list all the environment variables using Command Prompt, type the command “set” (without quotation marks).
3. Check Environment Variables using PowerShell
Step 1: Run the PowerShell as an administrator from the Start menu.
Step 2: To list all the environment variables using PowerShell, type the command: “gci env:” (without quotation marks).
4. Check Environment Variables using Batch Script
Step 1: Right-click the desktop and add a new “Text Document”.
Step 2: Copy and Paste the following script in the text document:
@ECHO OFF
set
pause
Step 3: Click the “File” button on the top left corner of the window and click the “Save As” option.
Step 4: Change the file extension to “File-Name.bat’ (.bat is the new extension), choose the desired location where you want to save the file and click the “Save” button.
Step 5: Once the file is saved, double-click it to execute and you’ll see the environment variables listed in command prompt.
NOTE: If copying and pasting the script above doesn’t work, type the script in the text document instead.
5. Check Environment Variables using System Information
Step 1: In the Start menu, search for System Information and open it or press the “Windows Logo Key + R” key combination to open Windows Run, type “msinfo32” (without quotation marks) and hit the enter key.
Step 2: In the left sidebar, expand the “Software Environment” section by clicking the “+” icon, click the environment variables button and you’ll see the environment variables listed on the right pane.
6. Check Environment Variables using Registry Editor
1. Check System Environment Variables using Registry Editor
Step 1: In the Start menu, search for Registry Editor and hit the enter key or press the “Windows Logo Key + R” key combination on the keyboard, type: regedit and hit the enter key.
Step 2: To Check System Variables, navigate to the following path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment and you’ll find the system variables listed on the right pane.
2. Check Environment Variables for Current User using Registry Editor
Step 1: In the Start menu, search for Registry Editor and hit the enter key or press the “Windows Logo Key + R” key combination on the keyboard, type: regedit and hit the enter key.
Step 2: To check user variables, navigate to the following path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Environment and you’ll find the user variables listed on the right pane.
FAQs Related to Environment Variables
How does environment variables work in Windows?
Environment variables are the dynamic objects in form of key/value pairs that are responsible for instructing the programs to search for user profile settings, install files, and store temporary files in appropriate location in Windows.
What are types of environmental variables?
There are two types of environment variables: User environment variables and system environment variables. The system variables are shared and applied to all users on the computer, but the user variables are exclusive to each profile.
Where are environment variables stored in Windows?
In Windows, the user environment variables are stored in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Environment in the registry editor and the system variables are stored in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment in the registry editor.
Next Steps
We’ve covered how to check environment variables in Windows 11. To list environment variables in Windows, you can use any one of the methods listed above.
Further, configure the environment variables and other settings by referring the related articles below.
Related Articles
How To Set Path and Environment Variables in Windows
Learn How To Set Path Environment Variable in Windows manually.
How To Refresh Environment Variables in Windows
Refresh the environment variables without restarting your computer after adding new variables.
How To Make Windows Terminal Transparent
Increase or Decrease Windows Terminal Transparency in Windows based on your needs.
Hide Taskbar Automatically in Windows
Increase your display size slightly by some pixels by auto hiding taskbar when it’s not in use.
