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EnvFuncs

I made a quick, very small library (only 4 functions) to deal with permanently setting Environment Variables, rather than temporarily as commands like EnvSet does. Its not much, and wasn't hard to code, but I figured I'd share in case anyone is interested. I have tested in on XP, and would like to know if it works on Vista or 7, if anyone would be alright with testing it. BTW, it does stuff via the registry, to make changes permenant.

The functions are:



I think they're all fairly simple, but there is more info, as well as the parameters, in the gen.chm file in the archive, generated with fincs's GenDocs.

Hope this is useful to someone.

Update: Updated to v1.1.

Changelog:




Download: http://www.autohotkey.net/~SifJar/EnvFunc%20v1.1.zip

i know some would need this. I ask you to put an underscore after each env in the name of all functions. This make the lib available for standard library mechanism. Ill check this later. Thx for sharing.

ok will do. i also have another function to add which will get all env variables in two arrays (one for names, one for values), but it needs testing. i should have both done and uploaded in about 24 hours

I have only performed preliminary tests but these functions don't work on Windows XP. I'm fairly sure they don't work on any OS. You are given the illusion that it works because the EnvGet function is able to get a value you just updated using the EnvWrite function but all these functions are doing is reading and writing to the registry. The real environment variables are not being updated. You can duplicate my result by using the EnvWrite function to create a new environment variable and using the standard AutoHotkey EnvGet command to collect the value of this variable. In addition, you should also be able to see the new environment variable when you perform the Set command in a DOS shell.

I think the registry location is correct (very limited research on msdn) but the doc indicates that you have to send the WM_SETTINGCHANGE message in order to get the environment variables permanently updated. I have not tested or verified this information.

And then again, I might be completely off base and if so, I apologize.

Hmm, using my method seems to work for me in that I can add a folder to the Path registry entry, and then launch folders from there with AHK command Run or from Run box in windows...

How would I send that message? Would I just do that after changing the registry entry, and then all should work?

BTW, I tested on XP...

EDIT: Yeah, just did another test, DEFINITELY works for me on XP SP2. I can see the folder added to the Path by using the "set path" command in cmd.exe, and can open a file in the folder from Run box.

Using the following script:



I got the following output in a command window:


Note ;C:\test\ at end of output.

New version isn't quite ready yet, hopefully by tomorrow it'll be done.

If by message, you mean WM_SETTINGCHANGE, here's the link:
http://tinyurl.com/2cjqfpt


I repeated this test on my machine and I got everything except the additional ";C:\test".

Since there is a discrepancy, you might want to get a 3rd party to confirm the results. (Any volunteers?) Remember, you can't use the EnvGet function to confirm changes. Also, don't use the Path environment variable to confirm. Path is a special environment variable used by most programs and one of the programs/processes on you machine might be automatically updating the environment when the the Path is changed. Try something like SifJarTest.

Good luck!

Am I correct in thinking that the built-in AHK command EnvUpdate will do this task? From my reading of the help page on it, it seems so. I will add it to the end of each function, and then hopefully it should work for you. I should have this in the new version I will release later.

I had never seen the EnvUpdate command before now but it looks like what you need. Give it a try/see.

I added v1.1. This includes renamed functions (is that all I need to do to make this a Standard Library?), Env_ReadAll(), and EnvUpdate at the end of all functions which write/delete variables. Download link in the first post. I've also included all the examples from the help file as individual .AHK files in case anyone wants them.

Thanks for these! They work perfectly fine on my XP box. It would be cool to be able to remove a value from a variable, e.g. remove some path from the PATH var by searching for it.

I'll work on this later, if I get it working I'll post the code.

Ok, done. I just did a simple string-replace, it seems to work fine for manipulating the PATH variable. But it's a good idea to keep a backup of the environment variables (Rapid Environment Editor is pretty good for this).

Also, it doesn't keep track of the location of the string, so if you remove a value from the path and then want to add it again it gets appended to the end.

Here's the updated modules:

http://rapidshare.com/files/404906783/env_updated.zip (Can be downloaded 10 times max, where else can I host this?)

Host on autohotkey.net, free hosting, pretty cool.

SifJar and everyone... You must issue include this code after the reg changes if you expect any other apps to see the environment variable changes without a logout and log back in! I spent hours struggling to find the solution! A number of people (including here on AHK) had the right idea, to send the message WM_SETTINGSCHANGE but not had the right params! Without the "Environment" param below apps just seemed to ignore the message.



Hope it saves someone else the headache I had!

^ Quinxy

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