Node.js is a popular open-source JavaScript runtime environment that allows developers to build fast and scalable applications. It is built on top of Google Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine, which allows it to execute code quickly and efficiently. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing Node.js on Ubuntu, Windows, and macOS.
Table Of Contents
Installing Node.js on Ubuntu
Installing Node.js on Ubuntu is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to install Node.js on Ubuntu:
So, to update the package list, open the Terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for “Terminal” in the Applications menu. Then, use the following command.
sudo apt update
the next step, Install Node.js and npm using the following command:
sudo apt install nodejs npm
An then, Verify the installation by checking the version of Node.js and npm:
node -v
npm -v
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Node.js on Ubuntu.
Installing Node.js an NPM on Windows
Installing Node.js on Windows is also a simple process. Follow these steps to install Node.js on Windows:
firstly, Download the Node.js Windows installer from the official website (https://nodejs.org/en/download/).

Secondly, double-click on the installer to begin the installation process.
Thirdly, follow the prompts in the installer to complete the installation.
And finally, Verify the installation by checking the version of Node.js and npm:
node -v
npm -v
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Node.js on Windows.
Installing Node.js on macOS
Installing Node.js on macOS is similar to installing it on Ubuntu. Follow these steps to install Node.js on macOS:
To get started, open the Terminal on your Mac by pressing Command+Space and searching for “Terminal”. Once you have the Terminal open, you can install Homebrew, a popular package manager for macOS, by running the following command:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
The next step, you have to run the below command to Install Node.js and npm using Homebrew:
brew install node
And then, verify the installation by checking the version of Node.js and npm:
node -v
npm -v
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Node.js on macOS.
Install Node.js and NPM Using Binary Package on Windows
Installing or updating Node.js using binaries involves navigating to the Node.js official page and selecting a binary package suitable for your operating system from the list provided.

Once you have downloaded the required package, you need to unzip it. In this case, we have downloaded the binary package of bit-64 “node-v16.15.1-win-x64.”.

Once you have moved the folder, copy the path of its new location.

To add the path of the Node.js binary folder located on your machine, you need to open the “Environment Variables.” This can be done by following these steps:
- Right-click on “My Computer” using your mouse and select “Properties”.

- Scroll down and click on “Advanced System Settings” to open “System Properties.”
- Click on the “Advanced” tab and then click on the “Environment Variables” button.

Now click on “Path” and then click on the “Edit” button.

In the next step, add the new path to the list of variables, as shown in the images below.

Updating Node.js Using Node Package Manager ( NPM )
NPM, which stands for Node Package Manager, allows you to update Node.js using a package from the NPM registry known as “n.” This package is responsible for managing all versions of Node.js. To install “n,” you can use the command provided in the npm registry.
To update or install Node.js using the “n” package, you need to execute one of the following commands:
n lts
n latest
Update Node.js Using Node Version Manager ( NVM )
As mentioned in the title, NVM stands for Node Version Manager, and this package assists in managing all versions of Node.js. If you have multiple versions installed, you can use the NVM command to switch between them.
If you do not have NVM installed on your machine, please refer to the NVM tutorial for instructions on how to install it.
-- NVM Command
nvm install {The New Version} --reinstall-packages-from={The Old Version}
-- Example
nvm install 16.15.1 --reinstall-packages-from=10.4
Verify The Node.js and NPM Installation
Furthermore, to confirm the version of Node.js that you downloaded or to verify if the installation was successful, you need to execute the following code in the command prompt. To open the command prompt, go to the Start menu, type “command prompt” in the search bar, and open the application.

Verify Node.js Version
node -v
Verify NPM Version
npm -v
Update Node Package Manager ( NPM )
You can use the npm command to update npm, which enables it to update itself. If you are using Ubuntu or macOS, please use the sudo command before executing the following command.
npm update npm@latest -g

If you refer to the previous image, you will notice a warning message recommending using –location=global instead of the deprecated -g flag.
In the second message, you will see a new message stating “up to date,” which indicates that we have already installed the latest version of Node.js.
Node.js Usage
Additionally, to start a Node.js application, you need to create a new project folder and add the following code to a file named “server.js”.
console.log("Hello world");
In the next step, open the CLI in the same file path and run the below command.
node server.js
the result should be like the below image

Wrapping Up
In conclusion, Node.js is a powerful tool for building scalable and fast applications. Installing Node.js on Ubuntu, Windows, and macOS is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. By following the instructions in this article, you can start using Node.js and take advantage of its many benefits.