How to Easily Update Node.js to the Latest Version

August 26th, 2020 by Alfrick Opidi

Node.js is a popular open-source, cross-platform server-side environment for building robust applications. Since a vibrant community of contributors backs it, the platform is continuously updated to introduce new features, security patches, and other performance improvements.

So, updating to the latest Node.js version can help you to make the most of the technology. You can decide to work with the Long-term Supported (LTS) version or the Current version that comes with the latest features.

Typically, LTS is recommended for most users because it is a stable version that provides predictable update releases as well as a slower introduction of substantial changes.

In this article, you will learn how to quickly and easily update Node.js on different operating systems—macOS, Linux, and Windows.

As we’ll demonstrate, there are many ways of updating to the next version of Node.js. So, you can choose the option that best meets your system requirements and preferences.

These are the updating options we’ll talk about:

• Updating using a Node version manager on macOS or Linux
• Updating using a Node version manager on Windows
• Updating using a Node installer on Linux
• Updating using a Node installer on macOS and Windows
• Updating using Homebrew on macOS

Checking your version of Node.js

Before getting started, you can check the version of Node.js currently deployed on your system by running the following command on the terminal:

node –version

or (shortened method):

Let’s now talk about the different ways on how to update Node.js.

1. Updating using a Node version manager on macOS or Linux

A Node version manager is a utility that lets you install different Node.js versions and switch flawlessly between them on your machine. You can also use it to update your version of Node.js.

On macOS or Linux, you can use either of the following Node version managers:

Let’s talk about each of them.

nvm is a script-based version manager for Node.js. To install it on macOS or Linux, you can use either Wget or cURL.

For Wget, run the following command on the terminal:

wget -qO- https: //raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.35.3/install.sh | bash

For cURL, run the following:

curl -o- https: //raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.35.3/install.sh | bash

The above commands assume that you’re installing nvm version 0.35.3. So, you’ll need to check the latest version before installing it on your machine.

With these commands, you can clone the repository to

/.nvm . This way, you can make changes to your bash profile, allowing you to access nvm system-wide.

To confirm if the installation was successful, you can run the following command:

command -v nvm

If everything went well, it’d output nvm .

Next, you can simply download and update to the latest Node.js version by running the following:

nvm install node

Note that node refers to an alias of the latest Node.js version.

You can also reference LTS versions in aliases as well as . nvmrc files using the notation lts/* for the most recent LTS releases.

Here is an example:

nvm install –lts

If you want to install and upgrade to a specific version, you can run the following:

nvm install

For example, if you want to update Node.js to version 12.18.3, you can run:

nvm install 12.18.3

After the upgrade, you can set that version to be the default version to use throughout your system:

nvm use 12.18.3

You can see the list of installed Node.js versions by running this command:

Also, you can see the list of versions available for installation by running this command:

nvm ls-remote

n is another useful Node version manager you can use for updating Node.js on macOS and Linux.

Since it’s an npm-based package , if you already have Node.js available on your environment, you can simply install it by running this command:

npm install -g n

Then, to download and update to your desired Node.js version, execute the following:

For example, if you want to update Node.js to version 12.18.3, you can run:

To see a list of your downloaded Node.js versions, run n on its own:

You can specify to update to the newest LTS version by running:

You can also specify to update to the latest current version by running:

You can specify to update to the newest LTS version by running:

n latest

2. Updating using a Node version manager on Windows

On Windows, you can use the following Node version manager:

Let’s talk about it.

a) nvm-windows

nvm-windows is a Node version management tool for the Windows operating system. While it’s not the same as nvm , both tools share several usage similarities for Node.js version management.

Before installing nvm-windows , it’s recommended to uninstall any available Node.js versions from your machine. This will avoid potential conflict issues during installation.

Next, you can download and run the latest nvm-setup.zip installer.

Also, since the utility runs in an Admin shell, you’ll need to begin the Command Prompt or Powershell as an Administrator before using it.

If you want to install and upgrade to a specific version, you can run the following:

You can specify to update to the newest LTS version by running:

nvm install

For example, if you want to update Node.js to version 12.18.3, you can run:

nvm install 12.18.3

After the upgrade, you can switch to that version:

nvm use 12.18.3

You can also specify to update to the latest stable Node.js version:

nvm install latest

You can see the list of installed Node.js versions by running this command:

nvm list

Also, you can see the list of versions available for download by running this command:

nvm list available

3. Updating using a Node installer on Linux

Using a Node installer is the least recommended way of upgrading Node.js on Linux. Nonetheless, if it’s the only route you can use, then follow the following steps:

• Go to the official Node.js downloads site , which has different Linux binary packages, and select your preferred built-in installer or source code. You can choose either the LTS releases or the latest current releases.
• Download the binary package using your browser. Or, you can download it using the following Wget command on the terminal:

• Download the binary package using your browser. Or, you can download it using the following Wget command on the terminal:

wget https: //nodejs.org/dist/v12.18.3/node-v12.18.3-linux-x64.tar.xz

Remember to change the version number on the Wget command depending on the one you want.

• Install the xz-utils utility using the following command:

sudo apt-get install xz-utils

This utility will be used for unpacking the binary package.

• Finally, run the following command to unpack and install the binary package on usr/local:

tar -C /usr/local -strip-components 1 -xJf node-v12 .18.3 -linux-x64.tar.xz

4. Updating using a Node installer on macOS and Windows

Another way of updating your Node.js on macOS and Windows is to go to the official download site and install the most recent version. This way, it’ll overwrite your existing old version with the latest one.

You can follow the following steps to update it using this method:

• On the Node.js download page, select either the LTS version or the latest current version.

• Depending on your system, click either the Windows Installer option or the macOS installer option.

• Run the installation wizard. It will magically complete the installation process and upgrade your Node.js version by replacing it with the new, updated one.

5. Updating using Homebrew on macOS

Homebrew is a popular package management utility for macOS.

To use it for installing Node.js, run the following command on your macOS terminal:

brew install node

Later, if you’d like to update it, run the following commands:

brew update #ensure Homebrew is up to date first

brew upgrade node

Furthermore, you can switch between installed Node.js versions:

brew switch node 12.18.3

Conclusion

That’s how to upgrade your Node.js version on Linux, macOS, or Windows. With every update of Node.js, you can get enhanced features, increased security, better compatibility with other technologies, and more.

You need to be updating Node.js constantly to improve your development experience and create versatile applications.

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Alfrick Opidi / About Author

Alfrick is an experienced full-stack web developer with a deep interest in taking technical information and converting it into easy to understand content. See him as a technology enthusiast who explores the latest developments in the industry and presents them in a relatable, concise, and decipherable manner.

Here’s How to Update Node.js Via Visual Studio, NPM, Windows/Mac

I hope that you will find Node version 12 new capabilities compelling and soon you will upgrade your app to it.

In turn, you will get advanced debugging, intelligent coding with the powerful IntelliSense engine, interactive window, quick tracking of performance issues, unit testing, typescript integration, source control, cloud integration, and npm integration.

To get started in this walkthrough, this post captures the steps on how to update Node.js in Visual Studio, Windows/macOS, and NPM.

First, see a couple of useful tricks to check which Node.js npm version you have installed:

Write the command line to update Node.js npm:

“node -v” or “npm -v” simply type the one you want to check.

If the installed version of npm is not the latest one, you can update it using the syntax code:

(Note: The -g flag is used to update npm globally.)

Secondly, see which Node/Npm version Visual Studio you are using.

Now, use Visual Studio Command Prompt that is also called Visual Studio plugin. It can help you open a command line.

If you are not able to use Visual Studio Command Prompt, you can use the “Task Runner Explorer” by adding a task and running it in this way:

Another way is using C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 14.0\Web\External\” on your Window’s.

(Note: This way you will come to know about the local version of your Visual Studio.)

If you have any issues with these steps, you can call for help from the industry’s best Node.js developers on a particular project on which you happen to be working.

All of this is fine. A developer is expecting to have Node.js updated on Microsoft Visual Studio that supports all those new features.

Steps to Update Node.js in Visual Studio

Development teams usually build one or two node.js update strategy that can be sometimes using an automated process. Or, sometimes updates can be based on the goodwill of the developer. The second one seems to be the riskiest approach. Consider applying the first strategy by using automated tools to update node.js.

For Example:

The tool like greenkeeper offers automatic dependency management for node.js npm dependencies. It improves your code quality, catches problems that you would have missed, easy to use, and reliable.

So, if you wish to get an update Node.js, there’re actually simple ways to do so. Here are the ways how to update node.js in Visual Studio and various operating systems.

Start by installing the new global version on node.js on your computer. Simply visit the Node.js download page and start installing the new version. Like the newest version, Node 12 is packed with notable features.

• Node 12 runs on the V8 engine for faster JavaScript execution
• Improved startup time by 30%
• Node 12 supports TLS 1.3 for increased security of codes
• N-API improvements to prevent libraries from breaking

To tell Visual Studio to use the global version follow the command:

Go to Tools > Options > Projects and Solutions > External Web Tools

Visual Studio uses the $(PATH) to look for its external tools. When performing node.js installation make sure that the $(PATH) should be first on your list.

If that doesn’t work, you can restart the Visual Studio. Or, you can add the usual path directly to the list in which node.js is installed by clicking on “Add” and set “C:\Program Files\nodejs\.” Now, restart the system and recheck the node.js update process.

(Note: If it doesn’t work, make sure node.js is actually installed in that folder. If it is there, but still not work, try uninstalling, remove that folder manually, and install it again.)

How to Update Node.js on Windows and Mac Operating System?

Already familiar with the Node.js updating steps on Windows. Great, these are the foundation of a successful development strategy. However, in the past decade, the node.js development world had gone through dramatic changes but the updating processes were left intact. Some modern node.js update techniques can even replace the traditional ones to give you a better and leaner update strategy with a better ROI.

Example:

If you wish to upgrade Node.js on Windows and Mac OS, then simply visit the Node.js homepage and select your operating system.

From there, a wizard will magically update your Node, and replace the older version with the new one.

Now, See How to Update Node.js Using npm (Node Package Manager)

To update node.js you can use Node Package Manager (npm) that is already preinstalled. But before you start updating node.js, make sure your npm is of the latest version. Here are a few simple steps to follow to update your npm.

First, you need to find out the version of your Node Package Manager (npm), by running npm -v command.

After checking the version, you can run the command npm install npm@latest -g to install the latest version of Node Package Manager.

Finally, use the command npm -v to check whether your new version of npm was successfully installed or not.

Further, to update node.js using npm, use n module. Also, use the following code to clear cache memory from your Node Package Manager and install the latest version of node.js:

(Note: If you are looking for a specific version of node.js, you can also use the command n #.#.#.)

Also, See the Steps for Updating NPM (Node Package Manager) in Visual Studio
This will not take much of your time. If you have installed node.js from their official website, you probably have installed NPM with it. To check it, you can use the command line: “npm-v” .

To upgrade npm in Visual Studio, you can follow the command:

This is how you can update Visual Studio’s NPM version to the latest one.