One Setting for Multiple Directories (Inside and Outside) for Environment Variables

Question

Can I set up a setting for multiple directories (inside and outside) in Environment Variables like any of these? "C:*" "C:^" "C:%PATH%" "C:_" "C:" Why am I showing these? Because I do not want to have so many directories in a path, otherwise the path will be full. I want the path name to be compressed, and that is what I want.

Answer 1

Hello R9I1,

Having faced a similar challenge with managing an extensive PATH environment variable in Windows, I found that direct methods like using wildcards or attempting to compress the PATH with symbols such as "C:*", "C:^", or others aren't supported by the operating system. Through some trial and error, I discovered a few effective strategies to streamline the PATH without overloading it with numerous directory entries.

Here's what worked for me:

Periodic Cleanup: I made it a routine to periodically go through the PATH environment variable and clean out any entries related to software I no longer used or needed. This simple step significantly reduced clutter and made the PATH more manageable.

Directory Junctions or Symbolic Links: One of the more innovative approaches I adopted was creating a single directory specifically to house junctions or symbolic links to other directories I needed in my PATH. By adding only this directory to the PATH, I significantly cut down on the number of entries. The mklink command in Windows was particularly handy for setting up these links.

Batch Files or Scripts: For less frequently used applications, I removed their paths from the PATH and instead created batch files or scripts to launch them. This allowed me to keep the PATH lean while still having easy access to these applications. The scripts could temporarily modify the PATH as needed or directly call the applications with their full paths.

Environment Variable Management Tools: I also explored some third-party tools designed for environment variable management. These tools offered a more user-friendly interface for editing and organizing the PATH, making it easier to manage without diving into system settings.

Implementing these strategies not only helped me resolve the issue of an unwieldy PATH but also improved my system's performance by reducing the number of directories it needed to search through. This experience taught me the importance of maintaining a clean and well-organized PATH, ensuring smoother operation and quicker access to necessary executables.

I hope this helps? If you have any questions please let me know.