delete items from path environment variable

Question

I have a question regarding editing the path environment variable on my windows 7 Machine. I have been editing my path using SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe's dialog window, but the changes i make are not reflected when I type echo %PAtH% on the command line. It shows my additions of path variables, but does not remove the unwanted path variables I deleted. How do I get echo %PATH% and the advanced system properties to display the same path variables?

Thanks in advance,

dubbbdan

Solution

User environment variables

User environment variables can be viewed from Control Panel as well. The user may add, delete or modify the environment variables in the User Environment Variables for User field. These variables take precedence over system environment variables. The user path is appended to the system path.

Next commands could help to identify the problem (return system-level defined path and user-level defined path, respectively):

reg query "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment" /v Path
reg query HKCU\Environment /v Path

Comments

[Admin]

Just wanted to confirm that after making changes you are exiting and re-launching the command prompt where you are testing with your echo.

[Admin]

I have closed and reopened the cmd prompt. I think it has something to do with my user account. If i open the cmd prompt as an administrator I see the correct PATH, but as a standard user I see the correct PATH with all of the variables I have deleted from the SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe dialog window. I tried this solution with no luck.

[dubbbdan]

Thanks @JosefZ! That certainly seems to explain the difference between system and user path variables.