How to Setup Windows as a Node.js Server Environment

Install the following in this order:

1. cmder

   Console Emulator for Windows. Use the Download Full link.

   • Download and unzip into C:\Users\your-username-here\cmder.
   • Open the C:\Users\your-username-here\cmder directory right click on cmdre.exe click Pin to Taskbar.

2. nvm-windows

   Node Version Manager for Windows.

   • Download nvm-setup.zip.
   • Extract the nvm-setup.exe file somewhere and run it.
   • TODO: The installer isn’t updating the PATH correctly so the node, npm and nvm commands may not work. Make sure to add the following to Window’s PATH:
     • Open the cmder console you installed above and run:

         setx path "%path%;C:\Users\your-username-here\AppData\Roaming\nvm;C:\Program Files\nodejs;"
       

   • run:

       nvm install 8.9.4
       nvm use 8.9.4
       node -v
       # Should return 8.9.4
     

3. windows-build-tools

   C++ Build Tools for Windows using npm

    > Note: This will take 10 - 30 minutes to complete.  * Right click on the `cmder` console icon you installed above and run it as an Administrator. Then run:    * `npm install --global --production windows-build-tools`
   

You should now have the commands, node, npm, nvm and git available from any command line or cmder console.