Software & Apps > Windows Systemroot Command (Recovery Console) How to use the systemroot command in the Windows XP Recovery Console By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Facebook Twitter Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the SVP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 14, 2023 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Availability Syntax Examples Systemroot vs Root Folder The systemroot command is a Recovery Console command that sets the current folder you're working in as the systemroot folder. Systemroot Command Availability The systemroot command is only available from within the Recovery Console in Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Systemroot Command Syntax systemroot This command has no additional switches or options. How to Read Command Syntax Systemroot Command Examples systemroot Entering systemroot will set the %systemroot% environment variable to the directory that you type the command from. For example, if you're working in the C:\Windows directory, the above command will set the %systemroot% environment variable to C:\Windows. Entering echo %SystemRoot% in Command Prompt displays the path the variable is currently set to. Systemroot vs Root Folder The systemroot command is different from a root folder/directory. That term refers to the "highest" directory in a folder structure, but it isn't used as a command like systemroot is. The Definition and Function of a 'System File' Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit