CmdPal: Applications are launched with an outdated PATH

[lpaulino07]

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.94.2

Installation method

WinGet

Area(s) with issue?

Command Palette

Steps to reproduce

• Launch PowerToys.
• Add binary to PATH (i.e. install something like Swift that updates PATH for new binaries).
• Launch VS Code

1. Through CmdPal:
   swift Will not be recognized.
2. Through Powershell or Start Menu:
   swift Will be recognized.

✔️ Expected Behavior

A new CmdPal-launched process should have access to an updated PATH.

❌ Actual Behavior

Processes are launched with outdated PATH unless PowerToys is restarted.

Additional Information

No response

Other Software

VS Code 1.106.0

[samrueby]

I would consider this a standard expectation in most software- it must be restarted to recognize an updated PATH. Powershell also will not recognize swift if it was launched prior to updating your PATH.

[lpaulino07]

Understandable. Just wanted to report it in case it wasn't expected behavior.

[jiripolasek]

@lpaulino07 Great point! Since Command Palette runs as a persistent process and launcher, it should keep its PATH environment variable up to date to ensure newly installed tools are immediately accessible without the need to restart itself.

[nWestie]

I would agree that the expected behavior would be for Command Palette to mirror the behavior of another launcher like the start menu itself, since it is supposed to be able to replace the start menu IMO.