Installing Multiple Versions of Node.js Using NVM

Introduction

Node Version Manager (NVM) is a powerful tool for managing multiple Node.js versions on your machine. However, NVM works differently on Windows (using nvm-windows) compared to macOS/Linux (using nvm-sh). This guide separates the setup, usage, and troubleshooting for each platform, with examples to help you get started. Whether you’re on Windows or a Unix-based system, you’ll learn how to install NVM and manage Node.js versions.

NVM on Windows (nvm-windows)

nvm-windows is a separate project designed for Windows, as the original NVM is POSIX-compliant and not supported on Windows. It provides similar functionality but uses different commands and installation steps.

Installation

1. Download nvm-windows:

• Visit the nvm-windows GitHub releases page.
• Download the latest nvm-setup.exe (e.g., version 1.1.12 as of July 2025).
• Run the installer as an administrator (right-click → “Run as administrator”).

2. Verify Installation: Open Command Prompt or PowerShell (preferably as administrator) and run:

nvm --version

Expected Output: 1.1.12 (or the installed version).

3. Enable nvm-windows (if needed): Ensure nvm is enabled:

nvm on

Key Commands

1. List Available Versions: Use nvm list available

nvm list available

Expected Output:

2. Install a Node.js Version: To install Node.js 18.20.4:

nvm install 18.20.4

3. Switch Versions: To use Node.js 18.20.4:

nvm use 18.20.4

Verify:

node --version

Output: v18.20.4

4. List Installed Versions:

nvm list

Output:

5. Uninstall a Version:

nvm uninstall 16.20.2

NVM on macOS/Linux (nvm-sh)

nvm-sh is the original NVM, designed for POSIX-compliant systems like macOS and Linux.

Installation

1. Install NVM: Run in your terminal:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash

This installs NVM version 0.40.1 (latest as of July 2025). Check the nvm-sh GitHub page for updates.

2. Update Shell: Add NVM to your shell profile (e.g., ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc):

source ~/.bashrc

Or for Zsh:

source ~/.zshrc

3. Verify Installation:

nvm --version

Output: 0.40.1

Key Commands

1. List Available Versions:

nvm ls-remote

Output:

Press enter or click to view image in full size

2. Filter specific versions:

nvm ls-remote | grep v18

3. Install a Node.js Version:

nvm install 18.20.4

3. Switch Versions:

nvm use 18.20.4

Verify:

node --version

Output: v18.20.4

4. Set Default Version:

nvm alias default 18.20.4

5. List Installed Versions:

nvm ls

Output:

6. Uninstall a Version:

nvm uninstall 16.20.2

Conclusion

Node Version Manager (NVM) is an essential tool for developers juggling multiple Node.js versions, whether on Windows (using nvm-windows) or macOS/Linux (using nvm-sh). By allowing seamless installation, switching, and management of Node.js versions, NVM eliminates version conflicts and simplifies project setup. On Windows, nvm list available helps you explore versions, while nvm ls-remote does the same on macOS/Linux.

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