Node.js and npm via nvm — Windows to Linux Guide

What This Guide Achieves

Goal	Status
Install Node.js and npm	Done

Prerequisites

Any Ubuntu 24.04-based distro
Before mixing system Node.js and nvm, review the clean installation and removal best practices

The Problem (Windows User Perspective)

On Windows, you download the Node.js installer from nodejs.org and run it. On Linux, you might reach for apt install nodejs, but Ubuntu 24.04’s default repositories ship Node.js v18.x — several major versions behind the current LTS. If your project requires Node.js >= 22 (as this documentation site does), the apt version is too old. The solution: use nvm (Node Version Manager) instead.

Solution

Option A: From Ubuntu Repository (Not Recommended)

Warning: Ubuntu 24.04 Noble ships Node.js v18.19.x in its default repositories — several major versions behind the current LTS. If your project requires >= 22, skip Option A and use nvm (Option B).

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nodejs npm

Verify:

node --version   # Expect v18.x on Ubuntu 24.04, not v22
npm --version

At the time this guide was written (April 2026), apt install nodejs on Ubuntu 24.04 Noble installs Node.js v18.19.1. Only use this if your project targets v18.x specifically.

Removing the apt-installed version (before switching to nvm)

If you already installed Node.js via apt and want to switch to nvm, remove the old version first to avoid PATH conflicts:

# Remove Node.js and its runtime library
sudo apt remove nodejs -y

# Clean up auto-installed dependency packages
sudo apt autoremove --purge -y

# Verify the system Node.js is gone
which node
# Should return nothing or "node not found"

Option B: Using nvm (Node Version Manager)

If you need multiple Node.js versions or want the absolute latest:

# Install nvm — check https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm/releases for the latest version tag first
# Replace v0.40.1 below with whatever the current release shows
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash

# Reload your shell
source ~/.bashrc

# Install the latest LTS version
nvm install --lts

# Verify
node --version
npm --version

With nvm, you can switch between Node versions:

nvm install 20    # Install Node 20
nvm install 22    # Install Node 22
nvm use 20        # Switch to Node 20
nvm use 22        # Switch back to Node 22
nvm ls            # List installed versions

Which Option to Choose?

Scenario	Use
Just need Node.js for one project	Option B (nvm) — apt version is too old for most modern projects
Working on multiple projects with different Node versions	Option B (nvm)
Following a tutorial that specifies a Node version	Option B (nvm)
Only targeting Node.js v18.x specifically	Option A (apt)

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Cause	Fix
`npm` has broken dependencies via apt	Conflict between system npm and Node.js npm	Use nvm instead, or `sudo apt install nodejs` without `npm` (npm comes with Node)
`nvm: command not found` after install	Shell not reloaded	Run `source ~/.bashrc`

Complete Removal

If installed via apt:

sudo apt remove nodejs npm

If installed via nvm:

nvm deactivate
rm -rf ~/.nvm
# Remove nvm lines from ~/.bashrc

Package Management Basics — Clean package/source selection and uninstall practices
VS Code Setup — Development environment configuration