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After downloading and installing MySQL 8.0.24 yesterday, I opened a command shell. In the command shell, I could access the MySQL Shell (mysqlsh.exe) but not the MySQL Client (mysql.exe). Typing in the following:

C:\WINDOWS\system32>mysql

It returned:

'mysql' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

The MySQL Client (mysql.exe) was installed because MySQL Workbench relies on it. However, the MySQL Microsoft Software Installer (MSI) does not put the mysql.exe file’s directory in the common Windows %PATH% environment variable. You can find the required %PATH% directory variable by opening the File Manager and searching for the mysql.exe file.

You should return several directories and programs but the directory you want is:

C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 8.0\bin

You can test it by using the SET command in the Microsoft Operating System, like this:

SET PATH=C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 8.0\bin;%PATH%

You can now call the mysql.exe program in your current shell session with the following syntax:

mysql -uroot -p

You will be prompted for the password and then connected to the database as follows:

Welcome to the MySQL monitor.  Commands end with ; or \g.
Your MySQL connection id is 19
Server version: 8.0.24 MySQL Community Server - GPL
 
Copyright (c) 2000, 2021, Oracle and/or its affiliates.
 
Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation and/or its
affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective
owners.
 
Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the current input statement.
 
mysql>

Unfortunately, the SET command only sets the %PATH% environment variable in the current session. You can set the system %PATH% environment variable globally by following these steps:

1. In Search, search for and then select: System (Control Panel)
2. In Settings dialog enter “Environment” in the search box and it will display:

   
   

3. Chose “Edit the system environment variables” option. You will see the following “System Properties” dialog:



4. Click the “Environment Variable” button to display the “Environment Variables” dialog. Click on the Path system variable before clicking the Edit button beneath.

   

5. Click the “New” button and enter “C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 8.0\bin, and click the “OK” button. The next time you query the computer system’s %PATH% environment variable, it will show you the list of path locations that the operating system looks at for command files. It’s actually stored as a semicolon-delimited list in Windows 10 (and, as a colon-delimited list in Linux or Unix).

   

The next time you open a command shell, the %PATH% environment variable will find the mysql.exe program. As always, I hope these instructions help the reader.