Notes and Ramblings

The PATH statement in Windows (and DOS) controls the directories and the order in which they are searched for any executable (binary) command or file that is called from the command-line or from another program.

To add an directory to the beginning of your PATH environment variable (thereby insuring that your file is the one to be used if multiple versions are in the path):

1. Click
2. Right-click on "My Computer" to select Properties.
3. Click the "Advanced" tab.
4. Click the "Environment Variable" button.
5. Scroll down the "System variables" list to the "Path" variable.
6. Double click on "Path"
7. Press the "Home" key
8. Type (including the trailing semicolon) c:\bin;
9. Click "OK"
10. Click "OK" to close the System Properties window.

Verify the change:

1. Click
2. Click Run... for a Run window.
3. Type "cmd" in the Open: field.
4. Click "OK"
5. Type "set"
6. Locate the line starting with "PATH=" and verify that your directory is there
7. Type a command (executable) that is found in your directory
   

Originally found (and modified from) here