node installation How to Install Node.js and npm on Windows 11 in 2026

How to Install Node.js and npm on Windows 11 in 2026

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Node.js is one of the most popular technologies for modern web development. It allows developers to run JavaScript outside the web browser and is widely used for building web applications, APIs, command-line tools, and backend services.

If you’re learning JavaScript, React, Next.js, Express.js, or full-stack development, installing Node.js is one of the first things you should do.

The good news is that installing Node.js and npm on Windows 11 is relatively simple.

In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn how to install Node.js and npm on Windows 11 in 2026, verify the installation, run your first Node.js program, install npm packages, and troubleshoot common problems.

What Is Node.js?

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime that allows JavaScript code to run outside a web browser.

Traditionally, JavaScript was primarily associated with browsers. Node.js made it possible to use JavaScript for server-side and command-line applications as well.

Node.js is commonly used for:

  • Backend development
  • REST APIs
  • Web applications
  • Real-time applications
  • Command-line tools
  • Automation
  • Build tools
  • React and frontend development
  • Next.js applications
  • Express.js applications

For example, developers can use Node.js to create a web server:

console.log("Hello from Node.js!");

What Is npm?

npm stands for Node Package Manager.

It is the package manager commonly used with Node.js projects.

With npm, developers can install thousands of JavaScript packages created by the community.

For example:

npm install express

This installs Express into your project.

npm is also used to:

  • Install dependencies
  • Manage packages
  • Run project scripts
  • Update packages
  • Remove packages
  • Create JavaScript projects

When you install Node.js using the official Windows installer, npm is normally installed along with it.

Node.js vs npm

Node.js and npm are related but they are not the same thing.

Node.jsnpm
JavaScript runtimePackage manager
Runs JavaScript outside browserInstalls JavaScript packages
Used for backend applicationsManages project dependencies
Executes .js filesRuns npm scripts

For example:

node app.js

runs a Node.js program.

While:

npm install express

installs a package.

Step 1: Download Node.js for Windows 11

The first step is to download Node.js from the official Node.js website.

Go to the official Node.js website and download the Windows installer.

For most developers, the LTS version is the best choice.

What does LTS mean?

LTS stands for Long-Term Support.

An LTS release is intended to provide a stable environment for production applications and long-term projects.

If you’re a beginner, use the current LTS release unless a particular project requires another version.

Step 2: Run the Node.js Installer

After downloading the Windows installer, open the .msi file.

The Node.js Setup Wizard will appear.

Click:

Next

Read the license agreement and accept the terms.

Then click:

Next

Step 3: Choose the Installation Location

The installer will ask where Node.js should be installed.

For most users, the default location is fine.

You can simply click:

Next

There is normally no reason for beginners to change the installation directory.

Step 4: Select Components

The installer will show several components.

Keep the default options selected.

These normally include:

  • Node.js runtime
  • npm package manager
  • Corepack
  • Documentation shortcuts
  • Add to PATH

The Add to PATH option is particularly important because it allows you to run node and npm commands from Command Prompt or PowerShell.

Click:

Next

Step 5: Install Node.js

Click:

Install

Windows may ask for administrator permission.

If prompted, allow the installer to continue.

Wait until the installation finishes.

Then click:

Finish

Node.js should now be installed on your Windows 11 computer.

Step 6: Open Command Prompt

Now we need to verify the installation.

Press:

Windows + R

Type:

cmd

and press Enter.

You can also use Windows PowerShell or Windows Terminal.

Step 7: Check the Node.js Version

Run:

node --version

You should see a Node.js version number.

For example:

v22.x.x

or another currently supported version depending on when you install it.

The exact version can change over time, so don’t worry if your version number differs from examples shown in older tutorials.

Step 8: Check the npm Version

Now run:

npm --version

You should see an npm version number.

For example:

10.x.x

Again, the exact version depends on the Node.js release installed on your system.

If both commands return version numbers, Node.js and npm are working correctly.

Step 9: Create Your First Node.js Program

Let’s create a simple Node.js application.

Create a folder:

mkdir node-demo

Enter the folder:

cd node-demo

Create a JavaScript file called:

app.js

Put the following code inside it:

console.log("Hello, Node.js!");

Save the file.

Step 10: Run Your Node.js Program

Open Command Prompt inside the project folder and run:

node app.js

You should see:

Hello, Node.js!

Congratulations! You have successfully run your first Node.js application.

Step 11: Create a Node.js Project with npm

Now let’s create a proper npm project.

Inside your project folder, run:

npm init

npm will ask you several questions, including:

  • Package name
  • Version
  • Description
  • Entry point
  • Test command
  • Git repository
  • Keywords
  • Author
  • License

For a beginner project, you can press Enter to accept the default values.

At the end, npm will create:

package.json

What Is package.json?

package.json is one of the most important files in a Node.js project.

It contains information about your project and its dependencies.

A simple example looks like:

{
  "name": "node-demo",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "description": "My first Node.js project",
  "main": "app.js",
  "scripts": {
    "start": "node app.js"
  }
}

It can also contain:

  • Dependencies
  • Development dependencies
  • Scripts
  • Project metadata
  • Version information

Step 12: Use npm init -y

If you don’t want npm to ask multiple questions, you can use:

npm init -y

This automatically creates a basic package.json.

For beginners, this is often the quickest way to start a Node.js project.

Step 13: Install an npm Package

Let’s install a popular Node.js package.

For example:

npm install express

npm will download Express and add it to your project’s dependencies.

Your package.json will contain something similar to:

"dependencies": {
  "express": "^5.x.x"
}

The exact version will depend on the package version available when you install it.

Step 14: Install a Development Dependency

Some packages are only needed while developing an application.

You can install a development dependency using:

npm install --save-dev nodemon

Modern npm also supports:

npm install -D nodemon

Development dependencies are stored under:

"devDependencies"

Step 15: Create npm Scripts

You can define commands inside package.json.

For example:

{
  "scripts": {
    "start": "node app.js"
  }
}

Now run:

npm start

npm will execute:

node app.js

This becomes especially useful for larger projects.

Step 16: Install Packages Globally

Some command-line tools are installed globally.

For example:

npm install -g nodemon

The -g option means global installation.

You can then run:

nodemon app.js

However, for project-specific dependencies, installing them locally is generally preferable.

Step 17: Check Installed Packages

To see packages installed in your current project:

npm list

For a simpler dependency tree:

npm list --depth=0

This can show packages such as:

node-demo
├── express
└── nodemon

Step 18: Update npm Packages

To check outdated packages:

npm outdated

To update packages according to the project’s configured version ranges:

npm update

Before updating dependencies in an important production project, check the package’s release notes and compatibility.

Step 19: Remove an npm Package

If you no longer need a package:

npm uninstall express

npm will remove the package from the project and update package.json.

Step 20: Install All Project Dependencies

Suppose you download a Node.js project from GitHub.

The project may contain:

package.json

but not the node_modules directory.

Run:

npm install

npm reads package.json and installs the required dependencies.

This is one of the most common commands you’ll use when working with existing JavaScript projects.

What Is node_modules?

When you install npm packages, npm creates a directory called:

node_modules

It contains installed packages and their dependencies.

For example:

my-project/
├── node_modules/
├── package.json
├── package-lock.json
└── app.js

You normally should not manually edit files inside node_modules.

For many projects, node_modules is also excluded from Git using:

node_modules/

inside .gitignore.

What Is package-lock.json?

When npm installs dependencies, it usually creates:

package-lock.json

This file records detailed dependency versions so installations can be reproduced more consistently.

In most application projects, you should commit package-lock.json to your Git repository.

Node.js Installation Not Working?

Sometimes Windows doesn’t recognize the node command after installation.

If you run:

node --version

and receive something like:

'node' is not recognized as an internal or external command

try the following solutions.

Solution 1: Restart Command Prompt

Close Command Prompt completely.

Open a new Command Prompt and run:

node --version

Sometimes the PATH environment variable isn’t recognized by an already-open terminal.

Solution 2: Restart Windows

If the command still doesn’t work, restart your computer and test again.

Solution 3: Check the PATH

Node.js needs to be available through the Windows PATH environment variable.

Open Windows search and search for:

Environment Variables

Open:

Edit the system environment variables

Then select:

Environment Variables

Check the Path variable.

The Node.js installation directory should be included.

How to Find the Node.js Installation

You can run:

where node

If Node.js is correctly available, Windows should show the executable location.

You can also run:

where npm

This helps determine whether Windows can find the Node.js and npm executables.

Node.js for React Development

If you’re planning to learn React, Node.js is useful because modern React projects commonly use Node-based development tooling.

For example, a Vite-based project can be created with:

npm create vite@latest

Then enter the project:

cd my-project

Install dependencies:

npm install

Start the development server:

npm run dev

The exact project setup can vary depending on the framework and tooling you’re using.

Node.js for Backend Development

Node.js can also be used to build backend applications.

A common stack is:

Node.js
   +
Express
   +
Database

Developers can build:

  • REST APIs
  • Authentication systems
  • Admin dashboards
  • E-commerce backends
  • Real-time applications
  • Microservices

For example, Express can be installed with:

npm install express

Node.js vs Browser JavaScript

JavaScript in a browser has access to browser APIs such as:

document
window
localStorage

Node.js runs outside the browser and provides APIs for server-side and system-level tasks.

For example:

const fs = require("fs");

can be used to work with files in Node.js.

This is one of the major differences between browser JavaScript and Node.js.

Useful Node.js and npm Commands

Here is a quick cheat sheet:

CommandPurpose
node --versionCheck Node.js version
npm --versionCheck npm version
node app.jsRun JavaScript file
npm initCreate package.json
npm init -yCreate package.json automatically
npm installInstall project dependencies
npm install packageInstall a package
npm uninstall packageRemove a package
npm updateUpdate dependencies
npm outdatedCheck outdated packages
npm listList installed packages
npm startRun start script
npm run devRun development script

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Node.js free?

Yes. Node.js is open-source and can be used without purchasing a license.

Does npm come with Node.js?

Yes. npm is normally installed along with Node.js.

Should I install Node.js LTS or Current?

For most beginners and production projects, the LTS release is the safer choice.

Can I install Node.js on Windows 11?

Yes. Node.js supports Windows and can be installed using the official Windows installer.

Do I need Node.js to learn JavaScript?

No. You can learn JavaScript directly in a web browser. However, Node.js becomes very useful when working with modern development tools, package managers, frameworks, and backend development.

Can Node.js run Python?

Node.js and Python are separate runtimes. Node.js runs JavaScript, while Python requires its own Python interpreter. They can communicate with each other in various application architectures.

What is npm used for?

npm is primarily used to install and manage JavaScript packages and run project scripts.

Conclusion

Installing Node.js and npm on Windows 11 is an important first step for modern web development.

The basic process is simple:

Download Node.js
       ↓
Install Node.js
       ↓
Open Command Prompt
       ↓
node --version
       ↓
npm --version
       ↓
Create a project
       ↓
npm init -y
       ↓
Install packages

Once Node.js is installed, you can start building applications with JavaScript, React, Express, Next.js, Vite, and many other development tools.

If you’re a beginner, focus first on understanding:

node --version
npm --version
npm init -y
npm install
npm start
npm run dev

After that, learning Git and GitHub will give you a much stronger foundation for professional web development.