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Core Runtimes

How to Install Node.js on Windows

Install Node.js on Windows so you can run node, npm, Vite, React, Next.js, and other JavaScript tooling from any terminal.

Priyanka Kasera
Priyanka Kasera·
April 2026·5 min read

Supported Versions

25.8.224.14.122.22.220.20.218.20.8

Official Source

nodejs.org (official)

Environment Setup

1 PATH entry

Verify Step

node -v

DevTools Installer is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the publisher of Node.js. All product names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners. Downloads are sourced directly from the official publisher.

Install With DevTools Installer

Use this path if you want DevTools Installer to download the official package and handle the Windows setup for you.

  1. 1Open DevTools Installer.
  2. 2In Core Programming Runtimes, select "Node.js" and choose the version your project needs.
  3. 3Click "Install Selected".
  4. 4Let the installer download the official MSI, run it silently, and add to PATH.
  5. 5Open a new terminal window after the install finishes.
  6. 6Run and to verify both commands work.

Download Source

DevTools Installer downloads from the official publisher:

https://nodejs.org/dist/v25.8.2/node-v25.8.2-x64.msi

PATH & Environment Variables

DevTools Installer sets the following automatically:

PATH entries

C:\Program Files\nodejs

Verification

DevTools Installer verifies the install by running:

node -v

Expected output: v25.8.2 (or whichever version you installed)

Manual Installation Steps

Use these steps if you want to run the installer yourself and apply the Windows PATH or environment changes manually.

  1. 1Download the official MSI from https://nodejs.org/dist/v25.8.2/node-v25.8.2-x64.msi
  2. 2Run the installer and keep the default install directory unless you have a reason to change it.
  3. 3If you need a silent install, run:
  4. 4The installer adds to PATH automatically.
  5. 5Open a new terminal and run .
  6. 6Run to confirm npm was installed with Node.js.

Need to upgrade, downgrade, or remove Node.js?

DevTools Installer can also upgrade Node.js to a newer version, roll back to an older one, or cleanly uninstall it — including PATH entries and environment variables. No manual cleanup required.

What Is Node.js Used For?

  • Running frontend build tools — Webpack, Vite, and esbuild all require Node.js.
  • Developing React, Angular, Vue, or Next.js applications.
  • Building server-side APIs and microservices with Express, Fastify, or NestJS.
  • Running npm or yarn to manage JavaScript package dependencies.
  • Executing scripts for task automation, testing, and CI/CD pipelines.

Common Issues And Fixes

Check the problem and the exact fix before you reinstall anything. Some guides also include the reason the issue happens.

Problem

"node" is not recognized after installation

Exact fix

Close and reopen your terminal. The MSI installer adds C:\Program Files\nodejs to PATH, but existing terminals will not see the change until they are restarted.

Problem

npm install fails with EPERM or permission errors

Exact fix

Run your terminal as Administrator, or install Node.js to a user-writable directory. Avoid installing global packages with plain "npm install -g" on restricted systems — use npx instead.

Problem

Version mismatch between Node.js and project requirements

Exact fix

Check your project's "engines" field in package.json. If you need a specific version, use DevTools Installer to install that version or consider using nvm-windows for version switching.

Problem

node-gyp build errors during npm install

Exact fix

Some native packages require Python and the Visual Studio Build Tools. Install Python via DevTools Installer and run "npm install --global windows-build-tools" from an Admin terminal.

Tips for Node.js

  • ✓LTS versions (even-numbered, like 22.x and 24.x) are recommended for production. Current versions (odd-numbered, like 25.x) include the latest features but may have breaking changes.
  • ✓npm is bundled with Node.js — you do not need to install it separately. Run "npm -v" after installing Node.js to confirm.
  • ✓If your project uses Yarn, install Node.js first (Yarn depends on it), then install Yarn separately through DevTools Installer.
  • ✓For monorepo or workspace-heavy projects, Node.js 22+ includes experimental support for the built-in package manager corepack.

Related Guides

Yarn

Install Yarn on Windows if a project uses yarn.lock or you want Yarn commands available alongside Node.js and npm.

Visual Studio Code

Install VS Code on Windows if you want a fast editor with extensions, terminal integration, and the code command available on PATH.

Git

Install Git on Windows so you can clone repositories, commit changes, use Git Bash, and run git from any terminal.

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