How do I set the global PATH environment in a batch file?

The group policy in our environment overwrites the PATH variable every time I log on and, as I run a 'non-standard' computer, it gets it completely wrong (C:\Windows vs C:\WINNT, missing directories etc). Currently, I manually change it every time I log on, but that is starting to get tiresome.

If I use the SET command to change the PATH variable in a batch file, it only has local scope so the change only applies to the commands in the batch file.

set PATH=C:\WINNT;C:\WINNT\System32
set PATH

This batch file will output the new path, but if I run set PATH on the command line afterwards, it will still be the original path.

How do I set the global PATH environment in a batch file? Or is there another technique I can use?

From serverfault TallGuy

• This is edited in system preferences -> [Environment variables]. There you add paths to $PATH

  TallGuy : That's what I'm doing at the moment, every time I log on. I want to do it in a batch file so it can be done automatically.
  From o_O Tync

• You can use the setx command:

  setx PATH C:\WINNT;C:\WINNT\System32 /m
  

  Setx is available in Windows 2003 and later, but can be downloaded in the Support Tools for Windows XP.

  TallGuy : Brilliant! Thank you.
  From Phil Ross

• To set your path in the registry so that it propagates to , you can create a PowerShell script that uses some variation of this:

  [System.Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("PATH", $Env:Path + ";newpart", "user")
  

  But when I tried it just now then looked at System Properties>Environment Variables it not only added my test path, but doubled the existing one. So that problem needs to be worked out.

  Based on this page.

  From Dennis Williamson