【Windows】Difference between User Environment Variables and System Environment Variables

When you install new language into your PC (e.g. PHP) , you need to register the path to its directory to set an environment variable for it.

If you set this variable, you will be able to use the command (such as "php") in your command prompt to order to your program. Otherwise, you will get the message that says "XXX is not recognized as an internal or external command."

There are 2 types of environment variables.

1.User Environment Variables

This is user-specific. It works only for the account that set this variable.

2.System Environment Variables

This is available for all users.