Installing npm on Windows is simpler than most tutorials make it look, mainly because you do not install npm on its own.
npm ships inside Node.js, so the moment you set up Node, npm lands on your machine with it.
This guide walks you through four proven ways to install npm on Windows 10 and 11, shows you how to confirm it worked, and fixes the two errors that trip up almost every first-timer.
What Is npm, and Why It Comes With Node.js?
Node.js is a JavaScript runtime that lets you run JavaScript outside the browser, so you can build APIs, command-line tools, and full web apps. npm, short for Node Package Manager, is the tool that installs and manages the open-source packages your projects depend on.
Here is the part that saves you time. npm arrives bundled with every Node.js install, so there is no separate npm download to hunt for. Set up Node, and you get both.
Before You Install npm on Windows
You will want a few things ready first:
- Windows 10 or 11, fully updated.
- Administrator rights for the official installer and most package managers.
- A terminal you are comfortable with, either PowerShell or Command Prompt.
As of 2026, Node.js 24 is the active LTS (long-term support) line, and Node.js 26 is the Current release. Pick LTS for stability unless a project asks for the newest features.
Method 1: Install npm on Windows With the Official Node.js Installer
This is the friendliest route for beginners and single-project setups.
- Open your browser and go to the official site, nodejs.org.
- Download the Windows Installer (.msi). Choose the LTS build for stable, long-supported releases.
- Run the
.msifile and follow the setup wizard. Accept the defaults, and leave the Add to PATH box checked, since that step lets Windows find Node from any folder. - Click Finish, then open a new PowerShell or Command Prompt window. Windows you already had open will not see the updated PATH.
- Confirm the install (steps in the verify section below).
Method 2: Install npm on Windows Using winget
Windows 10 and 11 come with the built-in winget package manager, which handles the whole job from the command line. Open PowerShell and run:
winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS
Swap OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS for OpenJS.NodeJS if you want the Current line instead. Once it finishes, close the terminal and open a fresh one before you check the version, because the old window keeps the old environment.
Method 3: Install npm on Windows With Chocolatey
If your machine already runs the Chocolatey package manager, a single command does the work. Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:
choco install nodejs-lts
Drop the -lts to grab the Current release. Chocolatey suits teams that manage software with scripts and want repeatable setups across many computers.
Method 4: Install and Manage npm With nvm-windows
Sooner or later, one project needs an older Node than the rest. A version manager solves that, and on Windows the tool for the job is nvm-windows, built by Corey Butler. Note that it is a separate project from the Linux and macOS nvm.
- Uninstall any existing Node.js first through Settings > Apps, since mixing installs leads to confusing conflicts.
- Download
nvm-setup.exefrom the releases page at github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows/releases. - Run the installer and follow the wizard.
- Open a new terminal and install the LTS build:
nvm install lts
nvm use lts
- List every version you have with
nvm list, and switch between them any time withnvm use <version>.
How To Verify Your npm Installation?
Open a fresh terminal and run these two commands:
node -v
npm -v
Both should print a version number, such as v24.x.x for Node and 10.x.x or 11.x.x for npm. For a final sanity check, run a tiny script straight from the terminal:
node -e "console.log('Node and npm are ready')"
If you see that message, your setup works.
How To Update npm to the Latest Version?
npm updates more often than Node.js, so it pays to refresh it now and then. Grab the newest release with:
npm install -g npm@latest
Then run npm -v again to confirm the new version. A version manager like nvm-windows handles this cleanly, since each Node version carries its own npm.
Fixing Common npm Installation Errors on Windows
“‘node’ is not recognized as an internal or external command.” Windows cannot find Node on your PATH.
Close every open terminal and open a brand-new one, because old windows keep the old settings. If it still fails, reinstall Node and make sure the Add to PATH box stays ticked.
npm is missing after installing Node. Reinstall Node.js, since npm ships with it. Never pull npm from a random third-party source.
Version conflicts or odd behavior. Do not run the official installer and nvm-windows side by side. Remove one before you use the other, and delete any leftover folders in C:\Program Files\nodejs.
Permission errors during install. Run PowerShell or Command Prompt as Administrator, then try again.
Which Method Should You Choose?
| Method | Best for | Command or action |
|---|---|---|
Official .msi installer | Beginners and single projects | Download and run from nodejs.org |
| winget | Command-line users on Windows 10/11 | winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS |
| Chocolatey | Teams already using Chocolatey | choco install nodejs-lts |
| nvm-windows | Running many Node versions | nvm install lts |
Common Questions About Installing npm on Windows
Do I need to install npm separately from Node.js?
There is no separate npm download. npm comes bundled with every Node.js install, so setting up Node gives you both at once.
Which Node.js version should I install?
Choose the LTS line for stability, which is Node.js 24 as of 2026. Pick the Current release, Node.js 26, only when you need the newest features and can accept quicker changes.
Can I install npm without admin rights?
The .msi installer usually needs administrator permission. nvm-windows installs per user, which often works better on locked-down office machines.
How do I check my npm version?
Open a terminal and run npm -v. A version number confirms npm is installed and reachable.
You Are Ready to Build
You now have four solid ways to install npm on Windows, from the click-through .msi installer to the flexible nvm-windows manager.
Start with the official installer if you are new, reach for winget or Chocolatey if you live in the terminal, and move to nvm-windows the day two projects need different Node versions.
Run node -v and npm -v, see two version numbers, and your Windows dev environment is good to go.
At DevGraphiq, we work with Node and npm every day, from WordPress build tools to custom sites for small businesses.
If you are setting up a development environment or planning a new website, our team in Hyderabad is glad to help.
