Environment variables in PowerShell - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is an environment variable in PowerShell?

An environment variable is a named value stored by the operating system that programs can use to get information like paths or settings. In PowerShell, you can access them to customize scripts or system behavior.

beginner

How do you list all environment variables in PowerShell?

Use the command Get-ChildItem Env: or its alias gci Env: to see all environment variables and their values.

beginner

How can you read the value of an environment variable named 'PATH' in PowerShell?

Use $Env:PATH to get the value of the PATH environment variable.

beginner

How do you set or change an environment variable in PowerShell for the current session?

Assign a new value like $Env:MYVAR = 'Hello'. This change lasts only while the PowerShell window is open.

beginner

What happens if you set an environment variable in PowerShell and then close the window?

The environment variable change is lost because it was only set for the current session. To keep it permanently, you must set it in system settings or the registry.

Which PowerShell command lists all environment variables?

A Get-Process

B Get-ChildItem Env:

C Get-Content Env:

D Set-Variable Env:

Get-ChildItem Env: lists all environment variables and their values.

How do you access the value of the environment variable 'USERNAME' in PowerShell?

A $Env:USERNAME

B $Env.USERNAME

C Get-Env USERNAME

D Read-Env USERNAME

Use $Env:USERNAME to access the value of the USERNAME environment variable.

If you set $Env:MYVAR = 'Test' in PowerShell, when does this change disappear?

A Never, it is permanent

B Immediately after setting

C When you close the PowerShell window

D After restarting the computer

Changes to environment variables in PowerShell last only for the current session and disappear when the window closes.

Which prefix is used to access environment variables in PowerShell?

A $Env:

B $Env.

C $Env-

D $Env_

Environment variables are accessed with the $Env: prefix in PowerShell.

To permanently set an environment variable in Windows, you should:

A Run Get-ChildItem Env:

B Use $Env:VAR = 'value' in PowerShell

C Restart PowerShell

D Set it in system settings or registry

Permanent environment variables must be set in system settings or the Windows registry, not just in PowerShell.

Explain how to view, read, and set environment variables in PowerShell.

Think about commands to list, read, and assign environment variables.

Describe the difference between temporary and permanent environment variables in Windows and PowerShell.

Consider where variables are stored and how long they last.