This section allows you to set variables that the MySQL server reads on startup. These variables are stored in the option file of the server. On Windows, the option file is called my.ini, and it is located in the Windows installation directory (for example, C:\WinNT\my.ini). Note that it can alternatively be stored in C:\, in which case it is named my.cnf. Also note that there can be more than one option file. On operating systems other than Windows, the option file is called my.cnf, regardless of where it resides. On Windows, MySQL Administrator allows you to store the option file in any location you specify. See Using Option Files for more information.

Note that the server reads variables stored in the option files only at server startup. After changing an option file, you must restart the server for the changes to take effect. You can do this using the Stop Server and Start Server buttons in the Service Control section.