Searching 'Download Node.js for Windows' usually means you're about to start a JavaScript project or follow a coding tutorial and need the runtime installed correctly the first time, including npm and PATH setup. The Windows installer handles the PATH configuration automatically, which is the step that trips up most first-time installs on other platforms. This page covers picking the right release line and installing it; our full Node.js page explains version managers like nvm for handling multiple projects.
LTS vs. Current: Which One to Pick
Node.js offers two parallel release lines -- LTS, which is the stable, long-term-supported version recommended for most development and production work, and Current, which carries newer features but shorter support windows.
It's open source and governed by the OpenJS Foundation, and the Windows installer bundles npm automatically, so a single download gets both the runtime and the package manager.
Who ends up using Node.js
Node.js is the baseline install for anyone starting JavaScript development, from tutorial-followers to backend engineers.
- Developers following JavaScript or web development tutorials that require npm
- Backend engineers building server-side APIs and services in JavaScript
- Front-end developers needing local build tooling like bundlers and package scripts
Before you install
A couple of things worth knowing about Node.js before you request the link: it covers Windows, macOS and Linux, so pick the right build for the machine you're setting up. And on pricing, Node.js is open source, so the installer is free with no trial timer, feature lock, or upsell screen to click past. It's developed and maintained by OpenJS Foundation.
System requirements
- WindowsWindows 10 or 11 (64-bit); older 7/8.1 builds usually still run but no longer get official support
- macOSa recent macOS release — check the download page for the current minimum version, since Apple Silicon vs Intel builds sometimes differ
- Linuxmost current 64-bit distributions; look for a native .deb/.rpm/AppImage or a package in your distro's own repository
Heavier workloads (large files, high-res media, big projects) will naturally want more RAM and a faster CPU/GPU than the bare minimum.
Quick steps
- Download the Windows installer (LTS recommended)
- Run it and keep the 'Add to PATH' option checked
- Verify the install by running node -v in Command Prompt
Node.js: the honest trade-offs
- Bundles npm automatically so one installer sets up the whole toolchain
- LTS release line offers a stable, long-supported option for production use
- Huge package ecosystem covers nearly every common development need
- Managing multiple project-specific versions usually requires a separate tool like nvm
- Native module compilation on Windows sometimes needs extra build tools installed
This links to the official Node.js downloads maintained by the OpenJS Foundation, the same builds referenced in nodejs.org's own documentation.
Other Developer Tools downloads people search for
Browse the full Developer Tools category →
Keeping Node.js up to date
Since Node.js is open source, most Linux distributions keep it current through their own package manager. On Windows/macOS, re-running the installer from the official site (or an updater built into the app, if it has one) gets you the latest release. Sticking to the developer's own distribution channel — which is what this page links to — means you're never stuck on an old build with unpatched bugs just because a mirror site stopped updating its copy.
Features, install steps, alternatives and more detail live on the main Node.js page.
Frequently asked questions
Should I install the LTS or Current version of Node.js?
LTS is recommended for most users since it prioritizes stability over the newest experimental features.
Does installing Node.js on Windows also install npm?
Yes, the official Windows installer bundles npm automatically alongside the Node.js runtime.
