Downloading and Extracting nvm

Begin by downloading the Node Version Manager (nvm) package from the official GitHub repository at: https://github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows/releases

After downloading the package, extract its contents to your desired location on your system.

Installation Process

During installation, you'll need to specify two important paths:

• The installation directory for nvm itself
• The location where different Node.js versions will be stored

Setting Up Node.js

Before installing Node.js versions, configure the download mirrors to ensure faster and more reliable downloads.

Configuring Node.js Download Mirror

Set up a mirror for Node.js downloads using the following command (the default is https://nodejs.org/dist/):

nvm node_mirror https://npmmirror.com/mirrors/node/

Configuring npm Download Mirror

Similarly, configure a mirror for npm packages (default is https://github.com/npm/npm/archive/):

nvm npm_mirror https://npmmirror.com/mirrors/npm/

Available Node Versions

To view all available Node.js versions that can be installed:

nvm list available

Installing a Specific Version

Install a particular version of Node.js (example below shows version 14.15.0):

nvm install 14.15.0

Switching Between Versions

Switch to a specific Node.js version using:

nvm use 14.15.0

Note: If you encounter errors (exit status 1), ensure that the installation path doesn't contain Chinese characters or spaces. Also, make sure to run Command Prompt as an administrator.

Verifying Node.js Installation

Check the currently installed Node.js version:

node -v

Verifying npm Installation

Check the npm version:

npm -v

Configuring npm Registry

For faster package downloads in China, configure npm to use the Taobao registry (default is https://registry.npmjs.org/):

npm config set registry https://registry.npmmirror.com

Verifying npm Registry

Confirm the current npm registry setting:

npm config get registry

Additional nvm Commands

Listing Installed Versions

Display all Node.js versions currently installed on your system:

nvm ls

Alternatively, you can use:

nvm list

Or:

nvm list installed

Installing Latest Version

To install the latest available Node.js version:

nvm install latest

Switching to Specific Version

Switch to a particular Node.js version:

nvm use @14.15.0

Checking Current Version

View the currently active Node.js version:

nvm current

Creating Version Aliases

Assign a custom name to a specific Node.js version:

nvm alias stable 14.15.0

Removing Aliases

Delete a previously created alias:

nvm unalias stable

Reinstalling npm Packages

Reinstall global npm packages for a specific Node.js version:

nvm reinstall-packages 14.15.0

Enabling/Disabling nvm

Enable Node.js version management:

nvm on

Disable Node.js version management:

nvm off

Checking Proxy Settings

View current proxy configuration:

nvm proxy

Managing Mirrors

Set or view the Node.js mirror URL:

nvm node_mirror [url]

Set or view the npm mirror URL:

nvm npm_mirror [url]

Uninstalling Versions

Remove a specific Node.js version from your system:

nvm uninstall 14.15.0

Switching Architecture

Switch between Node.js versions and system architectures (32-bit/64-bit):

nvm use 14.15.0 64

Setting Root Directory

Configure or view the root directory for nvm:

nvm root [path]