Set environment variables via shell_exec php

Question

I need to make a php script to change/create the value of a windows environment variable

shell_exec("setx VAR_TEST '2' /M");

The command runs but does not change the value of the variable, I run using prompt as administrator.

Answer 1

In fact the value is altered, but the associated access of the volar updated occurs in a new instance/session.

The shell_exec("setx VAR_TEST '2' /M") will create the variable or change its value if the variable already exists.

Understand that the Setx only access the variable with its "updated" value in a new instance/session, before that so that you have "updated" access to the value of a created/changed variable in the same instance/session, or even to check that your creation/change action was correctly, recommend reading the values of the registry keys where the command setx will make the effective registration/creation of entries and their values:

HKLM\Environment == para todos usuários when used: /m

HKCU\Environment == para o usuário atual

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Hence the tip to write and read directly in the windows registry directly on php, you do not need to invoke the shell/cmd to execute the setx that will write, for only in the next instance/session you have updated access to the value/variable.

I suggest you check these links on how to read/write/delete variables/values in the Windows Registry via PHP:

• Access the Windows Registry with PHP

• Windowsuserenvironment.php