Windows 7 - 'ipconfig' is not recognized as an internal or external command, . . .

I am getting a message as above if I attempt to execute ipconfig. I tried another machine but the same message returns. What could be wrong?

where are you typing it and what switches are you using?

I am not sure if I understand your question. What I am doing is going from start, run, typing in cmd and typing in ipconfig.

If you mean you're typing ipconfig from a command prompt, and you get the error you mentioned above, I'd look for malware. Check to see if "ipconfig.exe" is in c:\windows\system32\ also. It may have been tampered with in some fashion.

The ipconfig.exe is in that path(c:\windows\system32).
I will check to see if the system is infested with virus.

In order to run the ipconfig tool you need to open an elevated command prompt not type commands in at the Start>Run command line.

First go to Start>All Programs>Accessories and right click on the command prompt icon to select "run as admin". Then type the "ipconfig /all" command to list all commands such as ipconfig /release or ipconfif /renew.

You will want to read the guide on this. Elevated Command Prompt

I ran a full virus scan but none found.

Elevated command prompt did not help.

Sorry..there seems to be some confusion here:
you don't need an elevated command prompt....a regular one works just fine



Besides to get all possible switches you should put in

ipconfig /?

ipconfig /all gives you just the verbose version of your actual configuration

-DG

It could be some Virus or a defective/incomplete path variable
against the first I would try some online scanners

http://www.eset.com/online-scanner

to find out about #2 open cmd, cd to C:\windows\system32 (or where ever ipconfig is supposed to be on your system and run it from there

The paths returned when "PATH" is executed on command prompt does not include "c:\windows\system32".

"ipconfig" command works if path is included as "c:\windows\system32\ipconfig".

How can I make "ipconfig" work without specifying the specific path for it?

Edit:
A solution has been found.
In the system properties, Value for Path is edited to include c:\windows\system32.
More specifically, navigate from system properties to Advanced System Settings, Advanced, Environment Variables, and Path in System Variables. Then Edit the Value to include c:\windows\system32.

I wonder why system32 isn't in the path...it should be.
So here is how to get it back in there

After you highlited Path and clicked the edit button go to the end of that edit line and add the following :
a trailing ; (in case there is none)

%SystemRoot%\system32;


If you want it to work without modifying the path variable, you have to be in the directory "\system32"
to use any of those commands.
-DG