How to Clear Environment Variables Using Setx.exe

This article describes how to use the Setx.exe tool to clear both user and system environment variables. Setx.exe is included with the Windows NT 4.0 Resource Kit.

To clear an environment variable using Setx.exe at a command prompt:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, and then click Command Prompt.
2. If you want to clear a user environment variable, type the following line
   
   setx <variable> ""
   
   where <variable> is the user environment variable.
3. If you want to clear a system environment variable, type the following line
   
   setx <variable> "" -m
   
   where <variable> is the system environment variable.
4. Close the command prompt.

When you use Setx.exe to clear an environment variable value, the environment variable name is not affected.