Ways to Fix the “Not Recognized as an Internal or External Command” Error in Windows
If you’ve been working with Windows command-line interface, you might have encountered the error “not recognized as an internal or external command”. This error can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to run a specific command. The good news is that there are ways you can fix this error. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Check your system’s PATH environment variable
The PATH environment variable includes a list of directories where Windows searches for executable files when you enter a command. If you get the “not recognized as an internal or external command” error, it’s possible that the command isn’t in one of the directories included in the PATH environment variable. You can check your system’s PATH environment variable by following these steps:
– Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
– Type “sysdm.cpl” and press Enter to open the System Properties window.
– Click on the “Advanced” tab, then click on the “Environment Variables” button.
– Look for the “Path” variable under “System Variables” and click on “Edit”.
– Check if the directory where the executable file is located is included in the list. If it’s not there, click on “New” and type in the path to the directory.
- Check if the command is installed on your system
Another reason why you’re getting the “not recognized as an internal or external command” error is that the command is not installed on your system. Ensure that you have installed the command you are trying to execute. For example, if you’re trying to execute the “ipconfig” command, you need to ensure that the command is installed on your system. You can check if a command is installed by typing the command in the command prompt and pressing Enter. If the command is not recognized, it means it’s not installed on your system.
- Check if the command’s location is added to the PATH
You need to check if the command’s location is added to the PATH. If it’s not, you can add the command’s location to the PATH. You can do this by following the steps below:
– Right-click on “This PC” on your desktop and select “Properties”.
– Click on “Advanced system settings”.
– Click on the “Environment Variables” button.
– In the “System Variables” section, scroll down and look for the “Path” variable.
– Click on “Edit” and add the path to the directory containing the command.
- Restart your Command Prompt
If you’ve made changes to the PATH variable or installed a new command, make sure to restart your Command Prompt. This will ensure that the changes you made take effect.
- Check for typos
Finally, double-check your command for typos or errors in spelling. Ensure that you are entering the command correctly. A wrong spelling of the command or an error made while typing can cause an “not recognized as an internal or external command” error.