# Setting Environment Variables for Computers

**Last Updated On**: 07 Jul 2026  
**3 minutes read**

## What is an environment variable?

An environment variable is a value set in an operating system or software environment which can be accessed by applications that are running within the same environment. A lot of programs use environment variables to configure themselves or interact with other applications because these variables contain insightful information about the operating system, hardware and software configurations. They play a pivotal role in the aspect of system configuration and can be used to modify the functionalities of applications and services running in that particular environment specific to the user.

## Where can environment variables be used?

The most common usage of environment variable is when you want to set up different configuration options specific to each environment. They help you configure the third party services depending on the environment they are hosted by changing the API key, endpoint and so on.

## How to configure an environment variable?

![environment variable for computers in endpoint central](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/environment-variable-computer.webp)

1. In Endpoint Central Console, navigate to **Configurations** tab → **Add Configurations** → **Configurations** → **Windows**
2. Select **Environment variables** and choose **Computer**
3. Specify the name and description for the configuration
4. In the **Configure Environment variable** parameter, click to add environment variable
5. In the **Add environment variable** criteria:
   - Add the environment variable that needs to be modified or deleted
   - Enter the value that has to be stored in the environment variable.
6. Define the target
7. Specify retry options if required and deploy the configuration.
8. You can also enable notifications to receive emails based on the specified frequency.
9. Click on the **Deploy** button to deploy the configuration in all the target machines
10. To save the configuration as draft, click **Save as**

### Example

To set the **JAVA_HOME** environment variable under System variables

![environment-variable-example](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/desktop-central/help/configuration-management/environment-variable-example.webp)

You have successfully configured an environment variable for Windows machines.