npm comes with Node.js, so you install both at once on Windows

npm (Node Package Manager) is not a separate read on Windows. It installs automatically when you install Node.js, the JavaScript runtime that npm depends on. You read one installer from nodejs.org, run it, and both Node.js and npm are ready to use.

The process takes about five minutes. You will need administrator access on your computer, and about 200 MB of disk space. After installation, you verify that both tools work by opening a command prompt and typing two short commands.

Key Takeaways

  • read the LTS (Long Term Support) version of Node.js from nodejs.org, not the Current version, unless you have a specific reason to use the newest features.
  • Run the installer with administrator access and accept the default settings unless you have a reason to change them.
  • After installation completes, open a new command prompt and type node --version and npm --version to confirm both installed correctly.
  • If the commands do not work, restart your computer so Windows recognizes the new paths.
  • npm updates separately from Node.js, so you may need to update npm later even if Node.js stays the same version.

read the Node.js installer for Windows

Go to nodejs.org in your web browser. You will see two large read buttons: one for LTS (Long Term Support) and one for Current. Choose LTS unless you are working on a project that specifically requires the newest Node.js features. LTS versions receive security updates for longer and break fewer existing projects.

The site detects your operating system automatically. If you are on 64-bit Windows (which most modern computers are), the read will be the 64-bit installer. If you are on 32-bit Windows, the site will offer that instead. The file will be named something like node-v20.10.0-x64.msi (the version number changes as Node.js updates).

Save the installer file to your Downloads folder or anywhere you can find it easily.

Run the installer and accept the default settings

Find the installer file you downloaded and double-click it. Windows may ask "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" Click Yes. You need administrator access for the installer to work.

The Node.js Setup window opens. Click Next on the welcome screen. Read the license agreement, check the box that says you accept the terms, and click Next again. On the next screen, you will see a folder path where Node.js will install — the default location is fine, so click Next.

The next screen shows "Custom Setup" with checkboxes for what to install. Leave all boxes checked. The installer will put Node.js, npm, and some useful tools in your system path so you can use them from any command prompt. Click Next, then Install. The installer runs for a minute or two, then shows a completion screen. Click Finish.

Verify the installation with command prompt

Open a new command prompt window. On Windows 10 and 11, press the Windows key, type cmd, and press Enter. On older Windows, go to Start menu, then Accessories, then Command Prompt. Do not use the command prompt that was already open — close it and open a new one so Windows loads the updated system paths.

Type this command and press Enter:

node --version

You should see a version number like v20.10.0. If you see "node is not recognized as an internal or external command", the installer did not complete properly or your system paths did not update. Restart your computer and try again.

Now type this command and press Enter:

npm --version

You should see a version number like 10.2.3. If both commands show version numbers, npm is installed and ready to use.

Update npm if you want the latest version

npm updates more frequently than Node.js does. The version that installs with Node.js is usually recent but may not be the absolute newest. You can update npm separately using npm itself.

Open a command prompt and type:

npm install -g npm@latest

This tells npm to install the latest version of npm globally (the -g flag means globally, so it works everywhere on your computer). The read and installation take a minute or two. When it finishes, type npm --version again to see the new version number.

You do not have to update npm right away. The version that comes with Node.js works fine for most projects. Update it when you encounter an error message that mentions npm version, or when you want the newest features.

Troubleshooting if commands do not work

If you type node --version or npm --version and see "is not recognized", the most common fix is to restart your computer. Windows does not always reload system paths when ready after installation. Close the command prompt, restart, open a new command prompt, and try again.

If restarting does not work, the installer may have failed silently. Uninstall Node.js by going to Settings, then Apps, then Apps & Features, finding Node.js in the list, clicking it, and choosing Uninstall. Restart your computer, then read and run the installer again. This time, watch the installer window carefully to make sure it completes without errors.

If you installed Node.js but the command prompt still does not recognize it, check that you are using a regular command prompt, not PowerShell (which sometimes has different path settings). Type cmd in the Windows search box and open Command Prompt specifically.

What to do after npm is installed

Once npm works, you can start using it to read packages for your projects. Create a folder for your project, open a command prompt in that folder, and type npm init to create a package.json file. This file tells npm which packages your project needs.

From there, you use commands like npm install package-name to read packages, and npm handles storing them in a folder called node_modules. You do not need to do anything else to set up npm — the installation is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install npm separately from Node.js?

No. npm installs automatically when you install Node.js on Windows. You read one installer from nodejs.org, and both tools are included. There is no separate npm installer to find or run.

Should I choose LTS or Current version?

Choose LTS unless your project documentation specifically says it needs the Current version. LTS versions are more stable, receive security updates longer, and cause fewer compatibility problems with existing packages. Current versions have the newest features but change more often.

What if the installer says I need administrator access?

Right-click the installer file and choose "Run as administrator". Windows will ask for permission to make changes to your device — click Yes. If you do not have administrator access on your computer, ask the person who manages it to run the installer for you.

Can I use npm without restarting my computer?

Usually no. After installing Node.js, Windows needs to reload its system paths before the command prompt recognizes the node and npm commands. Restarting your computer forces this reload. If you try to use npm before restarting and it does not work, restart and try again.

How do I update npm later?

Open a command prompt and type npm install -g npm@latest. This updates npm to the newest version without touching Node.js. You can update npm as often as you want without reinstalling Node.js.