Environment variables in Windows 7: what is it and how to solve some problems with them?

The environment variables in Windows 7, as well as in any other system of this family, are unknown to most users. However, sometimes even during the upgrade, the system may refuse to install an update only because the environment variables are not configured correctly. And not every user knows what it is at all.

Environment variables in Windows 7 - what is it?

To begin with, we denote the very notion of variable media. In mathematical terms, this is a means of accessing some temporary files without specifying the absolute path when the TMP or TEMP folders are hidden from the user's eyes.

In principle, it is quite easy to find them if you enable the display of hidden objects in the view menu.

But you can do without it. The job paths will be discussed later (environment variables, path Windows 7), but for now look at using the main operator.

Using the primary operator

When accessing some functions of the system or even when searching in the same "Explorer", you can not specify absolute paths to files or folders. Environment variables in Windows 7 or any other system are designed to use the percent symbol. It is just the tool that allows you to bypass the restrictions when displaying hidden files and folders is turned off or use the so-called generalized search. The example below shows that it is produced by any user name.

In this case, you can simply specify a path, for example,% Username%, and the system displays all files and folders that have such a name, even hidden ones. As you already know, you do not need to specify a drive.

Incorrect Windows 7 Update Center environment variables

But the biggest trouble is to install updates, in which there are failures in some cases. Here the problem lies in the fact that temporary files are simply impossible to save on the hard drive. Of course, by default folders are configured, but overflowing them can lead to unpredictable consequences.

First of all, it is necessary to completely clear the disk cache and the browser, then use the disk cleaning tool that is available in the system itself. You can access it through the properties of the disk, where the corresponding button is selected in the menu.

To configure the variables themselves, the environment is accessed through the computer properties menu, where the Advanced Options tab is selected. From the bottom left there is a button to enter the settings of the environment variables.

By the way, if you install the same JAVA SDK package, the system will not automatically take the place reserved for temporary objects, so in the settings you have to configure the path manually by specifying the appropriate folder.

How do I restore settings?

Restoring the environment variables in Windows 7 can be quite simple. For that matter, there's nothing easier than using the system rollback (either from the Control Panel or from the boot menu called by the F8 key when the system starts, where the last working configuration is selected).

But you can change the parameters manually, by opening the properties of the specified environment with the parameter change button, after which you just need to specify the required path to the directory (for example, C: \ Temp). This works for both the TEMP folder and the TMP directory.

Instead of an afterword

As you can see, the environment variables in Windows 7 or in any other system can be configured quite simply. However, you need to clearly understand what they are used for. Of course, an ordinary user is unlikely to deal with changing such parameters, but for those who use additional platforms, one can not do without it, especially since some software products mean manual configuration, as with any SDK package.

In addition, if there are errors with the update of the system, you can use some additional tools. Many experts recommend installing some fixers like Microsoft Fix It! or something similar. By the way, it is the utility from Microsoft that allows you to get rid of many problems, including even problems with network connections.

And we are not talking about professional optimizer programs, which can eliminate any errors automatically and without the user's participation in the process itself. But among them you should choose exactly what you need. For example, recovery is best done with iObit software products, and fixing problems with the CCleaner utility.

Nevertheless, editing of the ways to access temporary folders in any case will have to be done only in manual mode, especially if for some reason there have been program failures due to the fault of the system. For these components, sometimes even a system restore does not help. And then you have to remove the update packages, which, in fact, can cause errors of this kind. And the SET command was not specifically considered here, which allows to control some parameters, since it will not be useful to most users.