How can I update npm on Windows?

Solution 1:

This is the new best way to upgrade npm on Windows.

Run PowerShell as Administrator

Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Scope CurrentUser -Force
npm install -g npm-windows-upgrade
npm-windows-upgrade

Note: Do not run npm i -g npm. Instead use npm-windows-upgrade to update npm going forward. Also if you run the NodeJS installer, it will replace the node version.

  • Upgrades npm in-place, where node installed it.
  • Easy updating, update to the latest by running npm-windows-upgrade -p -v latest.
  • Does not modify the default path.
  • Does not change the default global package location.
  • Allows easy upgrades and downgrades.
  • A list of versions matched between NPM and NODE (https://nodejs.org/en/download/releases/) - but you will need to download NODE INSTALLER and run that to update node (https://nodejs.org/en/)

Solution 2:

Download and run the latest MSI. The MSI will update your installed node and npm.

Solution 3:

To update NPM, this worked for me:

  • Navigate in your shell to your node installation directory, eg C:\Program Files (x86)\nodejs
  • run npm install npm (no -g option)