Can I set an environment variable for an application using a shortcut in Windows?

Question

I have a feeling I should be able add a directory to the PATH environment variable on an application-lifetime basis, but I can't find out how to do this. Is it possible to add a parameter to a Windows shortcut that appends a directory to the current value of PATH for use by the application being linked?

Cheers.

Answer 1

Let the shortcut execute a batch file (.cmd), that

• Sets the environment variable
• execute the app
• You use "START" to execute the app, this will start the app in another process, but it will copy the environment. You do not wait for the app to finish.
• Now you can exit the batch file.

Should look like this:

@echo off
set path = %path%;C:\My Folder
start "Path to my exe"