How to Install Node.js on Windows Server 2019 Using NVM: Step-by-Step Guide

Node.js Windows

Using another OS?

Select the desired version or distribution.

For the purposes of training or exploring the possibilities, you can install a Node.js directly in Windows. In this tutorial, we'll look at how to do this, using Windows Server 2019 as a basis.

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It is assumed that no Node.js have been installed on the system. If this is not the case, you must first uninstall the old version by following the guide. This is necessary because after installing NVM, version conflicts may occur. If you are not sure, you can check with command in PowerShell:

node --version

If there is no Node.js in the system, you will see similar output:

Screenshot 1. Node does not exist in the system.

Installing nvm-windows

There are different ways to set up Node.js. Using the Node Version Manager (NVM) is the most easy and universal, so we will use it. Original NVM does not work on Windows. But that is why the nvm-windows is being developed.
So go to the nvm-windows Releases page.

Download the nvm-setup.zip file from the latest release.

Open the downloaded archive, run the nvm-setup.exe file and follow the instructions of the installer. By default, the optimal values are selected, which should not be changed unnecessarily.

Node.js and npm installation

We will now install the latest LTS version of Node.js. Open PowerShell and enter the following command:

nvm list available

You can now see all versions of Node.js available for installation.

Screenshot 2. Available Node.js versions.

Choose the latest LTS version and install it using the command nvm install :

nvm install 14.16.0

Now activate the installed version.

nvm use 14.16.0

Now you can make sure that everything was installed correctly, and at the same time see the versions of Node.js and npm:

node --version

npm --version

At this point, you have installed Node.js and npm on Windows Server 2019.Now let's see how you can have different versions of Node.js at the same time and switch between them. First, let's install a different version. For example, the latest one. It may have reliability issues, but it contains the latest features.

nvm install latest

Now let’s check installed versions:

nvm ls

Screenshot 5. Installed versions of Node.js.

And switch to the new one:

nvm use 15.13.0

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Conclusion

Installing Node.js on Windows Server 2019 using nvm-windows is a flexible and efficient approach that simplifies version management. With NVM, you can install, use, and switch between multiple versions of Node.js without conflicts or the need for complex configuration. This is especially useful for developers who work with different projects requiring different Node.js versions. Whether you're testing new features or deploying production-ready applications, using nvm-windows ensures your environment stays clean, organized, and easy to manage.

FAQ

Q1: What is nvm-windows and how is it different from NVM on Linux?
A1: nvm-windows is a Windows-specific version of Node Version Manager. Unlike the original NVM for Linux/macOS, it’s designed to work natively on Windows systems and handles version switching through simple CLI commands.
Q2: Can I install multiple versions of Node.js with nvm-windows?
A2: Yes, you can install as many versions as needed and switch between them using the nvm use command.
Q3: Do I need to uninstall Node.js before installing nvm-windows?
A3: Yes, it's strongly recommended to remove any previously installed versions of Node.js to avoid conflicts with NVM.
Q4: Does nvm-windows also install npm automatically?
A4: Yes, npm is installed along with Node.js when using nvm-windows.
Q5: How do I switch between different versions of Node.js?
A5: Use nvm use <version> to switch, and nvm ls to view all installed versions.