In this blog post, we outline how to download and install Node.js on your Windows 11 operating system. With this detailed walkthrough, you will be able to set up Node.js efficiently and start using it right away.
Step 1: Download Node.js
Firstly, open your preferred browser and search for "Node.js." The first link that appears should be from nodejs.org, which is the official website for Node.js. On reaching the main webpage, you will find two versions available for download:
- The Long Term Support (LTS) version
- The Current version, which includes the most recent features
It is recommended to download the LTS version because its support will be longer. Click on the download button, which will download an MSI file.
Step 2: Install Node.js
Once the file is downloaded, click on it to start the Node.js setup process. The setup wizard will guide you through the following steps:
- Click on 'Next' to proceed to the License Terms and Conditions page.
- Check the 'License Terms and Conditions' box, then click on 'Next'.
- Leave the default location for Node.js installation and click on 'Next'.
- At this point, you can leave everything as default and click on 'Next'.
- Check the box that says 'Tools for Native Modules.' This option will automatically install the necessary tools for Node.js. It will also install 'Chocolaty,' a utility that allows you to install various tools on your Windows operating system.
- Click on 'Next', then 'Install'. You might receive a prompt asking for permission to make changes on your device. Click 'Yes' to continue the installation.
The Node.js installation should complete quickly. Once completed, you can click on 'Finish'.
Step 3: Check Node.js Installation
With Node.js installed, you can now check if it's working correctly. You can do this by opening the Node.js command prompt, which comes with its installation.
In the command prompt, type 'node' and hit enter. You should see a message indicating the installed Node.js version. You can also run a simple JavaScript command like 'console.log("Hello, World!");' If it prints out 'Hello, World!', it indicates that Node.js is functioning correctly on your Windows operating system.
This check can also be performed on the Windows Command Prompt and Powershell. In all cases, Node.js should work seamlessly.
Step 4: Creating a Simple Node.js Server
To further verify that Node.js is working, you can create a simple server. For this, create a new .js file in any desired location.
Open the .js file in a text editor (like Notepad), then write a simple piece of code that creates a Node.js server. Save the file and close it.
Now, in the Node.js command prompt, navigate to the location of the .js file using the 'cd' command. Then, type 'node filename.js' and hit enter. This should start the Node.js server.
To check if your server is running, open your browser and go to 'localhost:3000'. If you see 'Hello, World!' displayed, it means that your Node.js server is functioning correctly.
And that's it! You have now successfully downloaded, installed, and tested Node.js on your Windows 11 operating system. It's time to dive into the exciting world of Node.js and start creating your projects. Enjoy!
