Display Path Configurations in MS-DOS 6.22

In MS-DOS 6.22, viewing the current search path configuration is a quick process that requires no external utilities. This article explains the exact command used to immediately display the active environmental path, how the command works, and alternative methods for viewing system environment variables.

The Primary Command: PATH

To display the current environmental path configuration instantly, type the following command at the prompt and press Enter:

PATH

When executed without any parameters, the PATH command outputs the exact search path currently stored in memory. The result will look similar to this:

PATH=C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\BIN

This output reveals the order of directories MS-DOS searches through whenever an executable file (such as .COM, .EXE, or .BAT) is called outside of the working directory.

Alternative Method: The SET Command

You can also view the path configuration using the general environment command:

SET

Typing SET without arguments displays all active environment variables, including PATH, COMSPEC, TEMP, and any user-defined variables.

To filter the output specifically for the path setting, use:

SET PATH

Like the standalone PATH command, this returns only the active directory search list.

Notes on Path Management

  • Session-Only: Running PATH [directories] modifies the path only for the current command line session.
  • Permanent Changes: To permanently change the environmental path configuration so it applies on every boot, the PATH command must be edited inside the AUTOEXEC.BAT file located in the root directory (C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT).