#### 2.3.4.7 Customizing the PATH for MySQL Tools

[]()[]()

Warning

 You must exercise great care when editing your system `PATH` by hand; accidental deletion or modification of any portion of the existing `PATH` value can leave you with a malfunctioning or even unusable system.

 To make it easier to invoke MySQL programs, you can add the path name of the MySQL `bin` directory to your Windows system `PATH` environment variable:

* On the Windows desktop, right-click the My Computer icon, and select Properties.

* Next select the Advanced tab from the System Properties menu that appears, and click the Environment Variables button.

* Under System Variables, select Path, and then click the Edit button. The Edit System Variable dialogue should appear.

* Place your cursor at the end of the text appearing in the space marked Variable Value. (Use the **End** key to ensure that your cursor is positioned at the very end of the text in this space.) Then enter the complete path name of your MySQL `bin` directory (for example, `C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 8.0\bin`)

  Note

   There must be a semicolon separating this path from any values present in this field.

   Dismiss this dialogue, and each dialogue in turn, by clicking OK until all of the dialogues that were opened have been dismissed. The new `PATH` value should now be available to any new command shell you open, allowing you to invoke any MySQL executable program by typing its name at the DOS prompt from any directory on the system, without having to supply the path. This includes the servers, the [**mysql**](mysql.html) client, and all MySQL command-line utilities such as [**mysqladmin**](mysqladmin.html) and [**mysqldump**](mysqldump.html).

 You should not add the MySQL `bin` directory to your Windows `PATH` if you are running multiple MySQL servers on the same machine.

