Beginner Guide · Windows 10 / 11

How to Install
Node.js
on Windows

A step-by-step walkthrough — no experience needed

Free 5 Minutes Beginner Friendly Windows 10 & 11
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Before We Start

What is
Node.js?

Node.js is a runtime environment that lets you run JavaScript outside the browser. Playwright tests run on Node.js — without it, no test can run.

🎭

Foundation for Playwright

Playwright cannot be installed without Node.js

📦

npm Included

The package manager — Playwright is installed via npm

🆓

Completely Free

Open-source, no subscription required

🏆

Industry Standard

Powers millions of automation projects worldwide

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1
Step One

Open Your
Browser

Open Chrome, Edge, or Firefox and type this address in the URL bar:

🔒 nodejs.org
💡 You can also Google "Download Node.js" — the official site is always the first result. But typing nodejs.org directly is more reliable.
🔒 nodejs.org
🟢
Node.js
Run JavaScript Everywhere
⬇ Download Node.js (LTS)
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2
Step Two

Choose the
LTS Version

You'll see two buttons on the site: LTS (long-term support) and Current. Always pick LTS!

⚠️ The Current version has the latest features but isn't stable. LTS is the production-recommended, battle-tested version. Playwright works with LTS.
LTS
v20.x.x
Recommended for Most Users
✓ Pick This!
Current
v21.x.x
Latest Features
✗ Skip This
Green button = LTS = correct choice
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3
Step Three

Run the
Installer

Open your Downloads folder and double-click the file named:

node-v20.x.x-x64.msi
💡 Windows may ask "Allow this app to make changes?" — click Yes. This is normal and completely safe.
Downloads
📦
node-v20.x.x-x64.msi
Windows Installer · ~30 MB · Just now
Open ↗
📄
notes.txt
🖼️
screenshot.png
↑ Double-click this file to begin
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4
Step Four

Accept the
License

The installer opens. Check "I accept the terms in the License Agreement" then click Next.

💡 This is a standard license acceptance — clicking Next through all steps is all you need to do. No changes necessary.
Node.js Setup
─
☐
✕

End-User License Agreement

Please read the following license agreement carefully.

Node.js is licensed for use as follows:

Copyright Node.js contributors. All rights reserved.

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software...
✓
I accept the terms in the License Agreement
Back
Next >
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5
Important!

Keep the
Default Options

The installer asks which components to install. Don't change anything — all components, especially npm package manager, are already included.

⚠️ npm is the package manager — Playwright is installed through it. Make sure this component stays selected!
Node.js Setup
─
☐
✕

Custom Setup

Select the way you want features to be installed.

▶ Node.js runtime
✓ npm package manager
✓ Online documentation shortcuts
✓ Add to PATH
Back
Next >
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6
Step Six

Click
Install!

Once you've reviewed all the options, click Install. Wait a few dozen seconds while Node.js installs.

⏱️ The process runs automatically. Don't close the window — it usually takes 30–60 seconds.
Node.js Setup
─
☐
✕

Installing Node.js

Please wait while the Setup Wizard installs Node.js.

Copying new files...
Installing: node-v20.x.x-x64
⏱️ Usually completes in 30–60 seconds
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7
Step Seven

Click
Finish

Installation is complete. Click Finish — you're done!

🎉 Node.js is now installed on your computer. Time to verify it in the terminal!
Node.js Setup
─
☐
✕

Completed the Node.js Setup Wizard

Click the Finish button to exit the Setup Wizard.

✅ Node.js has been successfully installed on your computer.
Finish
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8
Verify Step

Verify in
the Terminal

Open PowerShell or Command Prompt and run these two commands:

$ node --version
$ npm --version
💡 Both commands should return a version number. node --version will show something like v20.x.x.
Windows PowerShell
PS C:\Users\Rufat> node --version
v20.11.0
PS C:\Users\Rufat> npm --version
10.2.4
PS C:\Users\Rufat> █
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✅

Node.js
Installed!

The core Playwright requirement is ready. What's next:

💻
Install VS Code
Download VS Code from code.visualstudio.com — your code editor
🔀
Install Git
Download Git from git-scm.com — for version control
🎭
Start Playwright
Run npm init playwright@latest to create your first Playwright project
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