Install Node.js on Windows

What is Node.js?

JavaScript is a language that makes web pages interactive. Node.js lets you run JavaScript on your own computer or on a server, not only inside a browser. Many modern websites and tools use it. Node.js comes with npm. npm is a helper that downloads ready-made code packages for your projects.

Steps

1. Open your web browser and go to the official Node.js website, nodejs.org.
2. You will see two download buttons. Choose the one marked LTS. LTS means long-term support. It is the steady version that is best for most people.
3. Click the Windows installer button. The file ends in .msi.

   

4. Open the downloaded file.
5. Click Next on the welcome screen.
6. Read and accept the license, then click Next.

   

   

7. Keep the default folder and click Next.

   

8. Keep the default features. Make sure Add to PATH is on. PATH is a list of folders where Windows looks for programs. Without it, the commands will not work.
9. You may see an option to install tools for native modules. You can leave it unticked for now.

   

   

10. Click Install. Click Yes if Windows asks for permission.
11. Click Finish.

Check that it works

1. Close any open Command Prompt windows.

   

2. Click Start, type cmd, and open Command Prompt.
3. Type this and press Enter:

   node -v

   This shows the Node.js version.

   

4. Type this and press Enter:

   npm -v

   This shows the npm version.

If you see version numbers, it worked.

Run your first program

1. Open Notepad and type: console.log("Hello");
2. Save the file as hello.js in a folder, such as C:\test.
3. In Command Prompt, run:

   cd C:\test
   node hello.js

   The first line enters the folder. The second runs your program. It prints Hello.

Quick recap

• Node.js runs JavaScript outside the browser.
• Download the LTS Windows installer from nodejs.org.
• Run it and keep Add to PATH on.
• Check with node -v and npm -v.