# The Environment

The Environment: Environment Variables and \`PATH\`.

Updated: November 10, 2026

1. [Environment Variables and \`PATH\`](https://www.ask-codey.com/lessons/powershell-environment-variables) (Apprentice): Environment variables are settings Windows hands to every program, read and set in PowerShell with $env:, and PATH is the one that lists the folders searched for a command, which is why a program outside them is not recognized until you run it by its path or add its folder for this session.

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/courses/powershell-in-depth/topics/powershell-the-environment