How to Install and Manage Node.js via NVM in Windows, Ubuntu and Mac

In this blog, I will explain how to install and manage Node.js via NVM in Windows, Ubuntu and Mac.

What is NVM?

As the name implies, Node Version Manager (NVM) is a tool for managing Node versions on your device. We can have many projects that require a different version of Node.js.You can manage the node js version using NVM.

 

Install NVM on a Windows machine

 

Step 1: Download the nvm-setup file for windows

You have to download nvm-setup.exe, from the nvm-windows repository. Download nvm-setup.exe from here 

Using this nvm-setup.exe file you will install nvm on your Windows machine.

 

Step 2: Open Your Terminal and run this command to check whether nvm is successfully installed.

nvm -v         // This command will return nvm version

 

 

Install NVM on a Mac and Ubuntu machine

 

Mac and Ubuntu are UNIX-based operating systems so you can install NVM in a similar way.

Step 1: Run the nvm installed

First, make sure you have Curl installed on your machine. If not install curl using this command.

sudo apt update && sudo apt install curl -y    // This command will install Curl in your system

 

Step 2: Install Nvm using this command

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.1/install.sh | bash

# or

wget -qO- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.1/install.sh | bash

 

Step 3: Reload the system environment using this command.  

This will set the required environment variables to use nvm on the system.

source ~/.bashrc  

 

Step 4: Open Your Terminal and run this command to check whether nvm is successfully installed.

nvm -v 

 

Manage Node Version with help of  NVM

 

Command 1: Install new node version using NVM

nvm install version_name                    // Using this command you can install the node version

nvm install latest                        // This command will install latest version of node

nvm install --lts               // This command will install the latest LTS release

This command will install a new version of node in your system, make sure you give the correct version name.

 

Command 2: Available Node versions list

nvm list             // This command will show all installed versions of Node in your system.

 

Command 3:  Change Node version

nvm use version_name

nvm use --lts            //  Use lts version of Node

nvm use newest      // User newest installed Node version

 

Command 4: Uninstall Node version

nvm uninstall version_name

 

NVM makes it easier to manage multiple versions of Node.js across different projects that require different versions.