A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Node.js on Windows 11

So you're setting up a development environment on Windows 11 and you need Node.js. Good news - installing it on Windows is pretty straightforward. You've got two main paths: the official installer (simple, works for everyone) or NVM for Windows (preferred by developers who need to switch between versions). Both get you Node.js and npm, but NVM gives you more flexibility if you're working on multiple projects with different Node.js requirements.

Let's walk through both methods so you can pick what works best for you.

What You'll Need

Before we dive in, make sure you've got these basics covered:

• Windows 11: A 64-bit version of Windows 11 (Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education). While Node.js might work on older Windows versions, this guide specifically targets Windows 11.
• Administrator Privileges: You'll need administrator rights on your computer to run the installer or certain commands.
• Internet Connection: You'll be downloading Node.js, so a stable connection is essential.

Method 1: Using the Official Node.js Installer

This is the simplest method - just download a standard Windows installer package (.msi) and run it. Perfect if you want to get up and running quickly and you only need one version of Node.js.

Step 1: Download the Installer

1. Open your web browser and head to the official Node.js website: https://nodejs.org/
2. On the homepage, you'll typically see two download buttons:
   • LTS (Long-Term Support): Recommended for most users. It's stable and supported for a longer period.
   • Current: Includes the latest features but might be less stable than LTS.
3. Click the LTS button to download the Windows Installer (.msi) file.

Step 2: Run the Installer

1. Find the downloaded .msi file (usually in your Downloads folder) and double-click it to launch the installation wizard.
2. Click Next on the welcome screen.
3. Read and accept the license agreement, then click Next.
4. Choose the destination folder where Node.js will be installed. The default location (C:\Program Files\nodejs\) is usually fine. Click Next.
5. On the "Custom Setup" screen, make sure all components are selected, especially "npm package manager" and "Add to PATH". Click Next.
6. An optional screen may ask if you want to automatically install necessary tools like Chocolatey and Python. This can be helpful for compiling native addons. You can check this box if you anticipate needing these tools, or leave it unchecked if you prefer to install them manually later. Click Next.
7. Click Install to begin the installation process. You might be prompted by User Account Control (UAC) to allow the installer to make changes; click Yes.
8. Once the installation is complete, click Finish. If you checked the box in step 6, a PowerShell window might open to install additional tools; let it complete.

Step 3: Verify the Installation

To make sure Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager, which is included with Node.js) were installed correctly:

1. Open Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell. You can do this by clicking the Start button, typing cmd or powershell, and selecting the application.

Check the installed npm version:

npm -v

This should output the installed npm version (e.g., 10.2.4).

Check the installed Node.js version:

node -v

This should output the version number you just installed (e.g., v20.11.1).

If both commands display version numbers, Node.js is successfully installed and ready to use.

Method 2: Using NVM for Windows (Recommended for Developers)

NVM for Windows lets you install and manage multiple versions of Node.js on the same machine. This is super useful if you work on different projects requiring different Node.js versions - no more uninstalling and reinstalling when you switch between projects.

Note: If you previously installed Node.js using the official installer, it's recommended to uninstall it before installing NVM for Windows to avoid conflicts.

Step 1: Install NVM for Windows

1. Go to the NVM for Windows releases page on GitHub: https://github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows/releases
2. Scroll down to the "Assets" section of the latest release.
3. Download the nvm-setup.zip file.
4. Extract the contents of the zip file.
5. Run the nvm-setup.exe installer.
6. Follow the installation wizard steps, accepting the license agreement and choosing the installation directories for NVM and the Node.js symlink. Default locations are usually suitable.
7. Click Install and complete the installation.

Step 2: Install Node.js using NVM

1. Open a new Command Prompt or PowerShell window as Administrator. (Right-click the icon and select "Run as administrator"). This is important for NVM to have the necessary permissions.

To install a specific version (e.g., version 20.11.1), run:

nvm install 20.11.1

NVM will download and install the specified version.

To install the latest LTS version of Node.js, run:

nvm install lts

Step 3: Select the Node.js Version to Use

After installing one or more versions, you need to tell NVM which version to use. Run the following command, replacing <version> with the version number you want to activate (e.g., 20.11.1 or the version number shown after nvm install lts):

nvm use <version>

For example:

nvm use 20.11.1

You should see a confirmation message like Now using node v20.11.1 (64-bit).

Step 4: Verify the Installation

1. In the same Administrator Command Prompt or PowerShell window, verify the installation:

You can see all installed Node.js versions by running:

nvm list

The currently active version will have an asterisk (*) next to it.

Check the npm version:

npm -v

Check the active Node.js version:

node -v

If the node -v and npm -v commands show the version you selected with nvm use, then NVM and Node.js are correctly set up.

You're All Set

That's it! You've got Node.js and npm installed on your Windows 11 computer using either the official installer or NVM for Windows. You're ready to start building applications, running scripts, and utilizing the vast ecosystem of npm packages.

Helpful Resources

Want to dive deeper? These official resources are worth bookmarking:

• Node.js Official Site: https://nodejs.org/
• Node.js Documentation: https://nodejs.org/en/docs/
• NVM for Windows Repository: https://github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows
• npm Documentation: https://docs.npmjs.com/