Environmental Variable - Path

[M]

I have been given an application at work to test and find that it makes two
additional entries to the System Path. The default entry is:

%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem

however this application add two further entries to its own location.

What is the significance of this and does it matter?

Thanks

 

[R. McCarty]

It extends the "Known" locations for executables, so that items can be
invoked by name only and not have to include the path to the items.

 

[M]

Is there any disadvantage? Why not make the path C:\ and be done with it?

 

[R. McCarty]

Not sure I understand how you mean disadvantage. Path variables
do not imply sub-folders are included. Making a Path Variable that
only references C:\ or the Root Folder wouldn't find executables to
run.

The functionality is there so that instead of C:\Windows\System\Calc.Exe
you simply make a call to Calc