Path Editor Native

Windows-native desktop app for editing PATH in the registry

Features

• Edit both User PATH and System PATH
• Add, browse, remove, and reorder entries
• Filter entries and multi-select with Ctrl+Click
• Dedupe and sort actions
• Expanded value preview (%VAR% expansion view)
• Save per-section or save both
• Elevation flow for System PATH writes
• Broadcasts WM_SETTINGCHANGE after save so new processes can see updates
• Bypasses default Windows PATH editor GUI max length

Tech Stack

• Rust (edition = 2021)
• UI: eframe / egui
• Windows integration:
  • winreg for registry access
  • windows crate for Win32 calls
  • rfd for native file/folder and message dialogs

Project Layout

• src/main.rs: Application logic and UI
• scripts/package.ps1: Build/package automation script
• installer/path_editor_native.iss: Inno Setup installer script

Requirements

• Windows
• Rust toolchain (cargo)
• Optional for installer output: Inno Setup 6 (ISCC.exe)

Run in Development

cargo run

Build Release

cargo build --release

Release binary output:

• target\release\path_editor_native.exe

Packaging

Build portable zip + installer:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\package.ps1

Build portable zip only:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\package.ps1 -SkipInstaller

Outputs (versioned):

• dist\PathEditorNative-<version>-win64.zip
• dist\PathEditorNative-<version>-win64.zip.sha256.txt
• dist\PathEditorNative-Setup-<version>.exe (when Inno Setup is available)

Notes

• User PATH updates do not require admin.
• System PATH updates require elevation.
• Existing terminals typically need restart to pick up new PATH values.