Install Node.js on Windows with Cerewro

Node.js is the server-side JavaScript runtime based on Chrome's V8 engine. It is essential for developing web applications, APIs, command-line tools and games. This guide covers every way to install and configure it on Windows.

Installation options

Method	Command	When to use
Official installer	nodejs.org	Quick install on personal PC
winget	`winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS`	Windows 10/11, automated
Chocolatey	`choco install nodejs-lts -y`	Corporate Choco environments
nvm-windows	See below	Multiple projects, different versions
Scoop	`scoop install nodejs`	No admin permissions needed

Install with nvm-windows (recommended for dev)

1. Install nvm-windows

winget install CoreyButler.NVMforWindows

2. Install Node.js and switch versions

nvm install lts
nvm use lts
nvm install 20.11.0
nvm use 20.11.0
nvm list           # installed versions
nvm list available # all available online

Verify the installation

Check versions

node --version      # v20.11.0
npm --version       # 10.2.4
npx --version       # 10.2.4

Essential global npm tools

Tool	Install	Purpose
TypeScript	`npm i -g typescript`	Static typing for JS
nodemon	`npm i -g nodemon`	Auto-restart during dev
pm2	`npm i -g pm2`	Production process manager
vite	`npm create vite@latest`	Ultra-fast bundler
eslint	`npm i -g eslint`	JavaScript/TypeScript linter

LTS vs Current: Always use the LTS (Long Term Support) version for production. With nvm you can have both installed and switch between them per project.