How To Install Node.js and NPM On Windows & Linux (In-Depth Installation Guide)

Node.js and NPM Explained:

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime designed to run JavaScript outside a web browser. Nowadays, devs use Node.js to build server-side programming environments for APIs, backend services, and command-line tools for more complicated operations.

Its event-driven architecture and large ecosystem of NPM packages make Node.js a primary choice for development. Node.js is often used to build applications for various high-performance use cases, which makes knowing how to install it correctly a very important aspect. In short:

• Node.js provides the runtime needed to execute JavaScript on a server and build backend applications.
• NPM provides tools for installing and managing packages and dependencies used by Node.js projects.

Node.js is available for multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. The official Node.js installer is recommended for beginners to avoid command-line confusion. So, for a quick setup, users can download the LTS installer from the official Node.js download page.

See Also: ServerMania Application Hosting

How to Install Node.js and NPM on Windows:

When it comes to Windows, there are several options for installing Node.js and NPM. We’re going to go with the simplest option and most reliable method for a standard setup. The official installer includes NPM and automatically performs the needed configuration.

Here are the steps to install Node.js and NPM on Windows:

Step #1: Download Node.js

Head to the official Node.js website and make sure to correctly select the drop-down menus. This means choosing “Current Version” + “Windows” + “Docker” + “NPM“. To download your configuration, click on Windows Installer (.msi).

Step #2: Run & Install Node.js

To begin, simply open the Node.js installer and check that you agree to the terms and conditions. You can keep on clicking “Next” unless you want to change the directory, and pause for a second when you see the “Custom Setup” page during the installation.

The installer lets you choose which Node.js components to install. Keep the default selections, including the Node.js runtime and NPM package manager.

If using Windows, ensure the option to install NPM and add Node.js to PATH is selected during the setup. This tells Windows where to find the Node.js and NPM binaries, so you can run commands such as node and NPM directly from Command Prompt or PowerShell without entering their full installation directory.

🚀When there, click “Install“.

Tip: You can click the “Automatically install the necessary tools” checkbox at the very last prompt to ensure Windows completes the installation.

Let’s continue to the next section and see Node.js steps for Linux…

How to Install Node.js and NPM on Linux:

The installation of Node.js and NPM on Linux is a bit more complicated. Unless you’re using a GUI Linux distribution, there are a few additional steps. This guide uses Debian without a graphical user interface and covers an installation method using the apt package manager and Node Version Manager (NVM).

Node.js can be installed using package managers on Linux. We’re going to use NodeSource to install the latest Node.js version on Linux.

Note: So, if you are using Ubuntu, use ‘apt’ to install Node.js and NPM on Ubuntu. However, the Node.js version in Ubuntu repositories may not be the latest. For more details, check out the full installation guide.

Step 1: Update the Package List

First, update Debian’s package list and install curl, which we need to download NVM.

Use the following method:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install curl -y

The first command refreshes the available package information. Then, the second command installs curl if it is not already present. This is necessary.

Step 2: Download and Install NVM

NVM is essential for managing different Node.js project requirements. NVM can be installed using a simple curl command. Download and run the official NVM installation script:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.7/install.sh | bash

You should see “Downloading nvm as script to <destination>“.

The installation updates your shell profile, but the current terminal session might not have the changes yet. Load the profile with:

source ~/.bashrc

You can then check whether NVM is available:

command -v nvm

If the installation worked, the command returns:

nvm

Note: NVM allows installation without root access on Linux.

Step 3: Install and Load Node.js

You can now use NVM to install the latest Node.js release. Here’s an example:

nvm install node

NVM downloads and installs Node.js along with NPM. The first Node.js version installed through NVM becomes the default version for new shell sessions.

If a project requires a specific version, you can instead install it with:

nvm install 22

After installation, you should have Node.js, NPM, and a terminal ready for use.

Tip: This is one of the main advantages of NVM. You can install multiple versions of Node.js and switch between them for different projects.

Installation Verification for Windows & Linux

When you’re ready, it’s recommended to verify whether the installation is successful. You can verify the installation by checking versions after setup. If you’re using Windows, just verify the Node.js installation by running ‘node -v’ in the terminal or command prompt.

Run ‘npm -v‘ to check the NPM version:

npm -v

You can switch Node.js versions using the command ‘nvm use <version>’.

By the time you’re reading this, there may be more newer different versions. So, feel free to compare the version number you see with the latest version related to the source code on the official Node.js page.

Pro Tip: You can list installed Node.js versions with ‘nvm ls’. The Long Term Support version of Node.js provides greater stability for users.

How to Deal with Potential Installation Issues

Node.js and NPM installations usually complete without problems, but configuration errors or missing system permissions sometimes prevent the commands from working correctly. Most issues are easy to identify by checking the installed version, PATH configuration, or terminal output.

The troubleshooting steps below cover common problems on Windows and Linux. Check the section for your operating system and follow the relevant solution.

Windows Installation Issues

If the node or the NPM command is not recognized after installation, Windows might not have loaded the updated PATH yet. Close and reopen Command Prompt or PowerShell, then run:

node -v
npm -v

If the commands still fail, check if the Node.js installation directory is included in the system PATH. You may need to reinstall Node.js with the PATH option enabled also restores the required OS configuration.

Linux Installation Issues

The most common installation issue with Linux is permissions. Permission issues occur with global NPM installs. If NPM returns a permissions error when installing a package globally, you must check the NPM configuration and avoid running NPM commands with sudo.

This is unless the package documentation specifically requires it.

If you installed Node.js with NVM but the nvm command is not available after opening a new terminal, the NVM configuration might not have loaded.

If you see “NVM not found” after installing, if “not sourced” in your profile, try running:

source ~/.bashrc

Then verify the installation; run the following command:

command -v nvm
node -v
npm -v

If NVM works after sourcing .bashrc, make sure the NVM configuration exists in your shell profile so it loads automatically in future sessions.

Tip: Installing Node.js via a version manager can help avoid common permission errors on macOS and Linux, so it’s highly recommended for beginners.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the latest version of Node.js?

The latest version changes over time, while the LTS version is generally the preferred choice for a stable development environment. You can check the most recent version and latest LTS release on the official Node.js website before starting the installation node process.

Does Node.js include NPM?

Yes, a standard Node.js installation has the Node Package Manager (NPM) for package management. You can use NPM to install packages, manage dependencies, and add libraries to applications.

Do I need sudo privileges to install Node.js on Linux?

An installation using Debian’s package manager often requires sudo privileges, while NVM installs Node.js for the current user without requiring sudo. Using npm sudo commands for global packages often leads to permission problems, so configure NPM correctly instead to interact with all the files.

Should I use NVM or the NodeSource repository?

NVM is useful when you need to work with multiple Node.js versions, while the NodeSource repository provides another method for installing a specific Node.js release system-wide.

Where is Node.js used?

Node.js lets developers run JavaScript outside a browser and is widely used for APIs, backend services, and web applications. It provides the runtime needed to execute JavaScript, while NPM supplies the packages and dependencies used by the application.