Node.js is a cross-platform, open-source JavaScript runtime environment that can run on Windows, Linux, Unix, macOS, and more. Node.js runs on the V8 JavaScript engine, and executes JavaScript code outside a web browser. According to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey, Node.js is one of the most commonly used web technologies.
Node.js allows developers to use JavaScript for writing command line tools and server-side scripting. Running JavaScript on the server is commonly used to generate dynamic web page content before the page is sent to the user's web browser. Consequently, Node.js represents a "JavaScript everywhere" paradigm, unifying web-application development around a single programming language, as opposed to using different languages for the server- versus client-side programming.
Node.js has an event-driven architecture capable of asynchronous I/O. These design choices aim to optimize throughput and scalability in web applications with many input/output operations, as well as for real-time Web applications (e.g., real-time communication programs and browser games).
What is Node.js?
Node.js by Node.js Foundation (developed by OpenJS Foundation) is open-source Windows software in the ides & code editors category. It ranks 32nd by popularity among ides & code editors in this catalogue. The first release dates back to 2009. It is written in C, C++, and JavaScript. Besides Windows, it is available for Linux, BSD, macOS, Unix-like operating system and IBM AIX.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides MSI installers for 64-bit and ARM64 Windows. Installation asks for administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches. An MSI package is available for deployment with Group Policy, Intune or Configuration Manager.
Updates and version history
The current version is 26.12.1, released on October 21, 2026. The version history goes back to May 6, 2025: 47 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 32 releases a year. The last update is less than a month old.
Popularity and file types
The source code on GitHub (nodejs/node) has 122,534 stars. Wikipedia has an article about it in 41 of our languages. On Windows it registers 3 file types, including .js, .mjs and .cjs. Similar programs include OpenCode, Apache NetBeans and RStudio.
Project description on GitHub: “Node.js JavaScript runtime ✨🐢🚀✨”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Native ARM64 build for Windows on Arm
- MSI package for managed deployment
- Documented silent install
- Frequent updates (about 32 a year)
- Also runs on Linux, BSD and macOS
- Large user base
Cons
- Installation needs administrator rights
In short: Node.js is an open-source ides & code editor tool for 64-bit and ARM64 PCs. It is actively maintained. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is Node.js safe to download?
- The file is served by nodejs.org, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
F32A2844504ED8D73449DDB480385F69CB436BC9409A89E2049AE83447078457· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Security practices (OpenSSF Scorecard)
Automated checks of the nodejs/node repository on GitHub by the Open Source Security Foundation, last run on October 24, 2026.
- Actively maintained10
- Dependency update tool10
- Security policy10
- No dangerous workflows10
- Fuzzing10
- Tests in CI10
- Contributors from several organisations10
- Licence declared9
- Code review8
- Pinned dependencies7
- Static code analysis7
- OpenSSF Best Practices badge5
- Branch protection1
- Restricted token permissions0
- No binaries in the repository0
- No known vulnerabilities0
The score rates how the project is developed and released, not whether the program is safe to install. scorecard.dev
Recent versions
All 47 versions ›47 versions over 1 year · about 32 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26.12.1Latest | October 21, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
| 26.12.0 | October 14, 2026 | — | ARM64 MSI64-bit MSI |
| 26.11.1 | October 7, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
| 26.11.0 | October 7, 2026 | — | ARM64 MSI64-bit MSI |
| 26.10.0 | September 21, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
| 26.9.0 | September 16, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSIARM64 MSI |
| 26.8.2 | September 9, 2026 | — | ARM64 MSI64-bit MSI |
| 26.8.1 | August 26, 2026 | — | 64-bit ZIPARM64 ZIPARM64 MSI64-bit MSI |
Release cycle and support
Version 26.12.1 belongs to the 26 (Upcoming LTS) release line, supported until April 30, 2029.
| Release line | Released | Support ends | Latest version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 (Upcoming LTS) | May 5, 2026 | April 30, 2029 | 26.12.1 | Supported |
| 25 | October 15, 2025 | June 1, 2026 | 25.9.0 | End of life |
| 24 (LTS)LTS | May 6, 2025 | April 30, 2028 | 24.22.1 | Supported |
| 23 | October 16, 2024 | June 1, 2025 | 23.11.1 | End of life |
| 22 (LTS)LTS | April 24, 2024 | April 30, 2027 | 22.23.4 | Supported |
| 21 | October 17, 2023 | June 1, 2024 | 21.7.3 | End of life |
| 20 (LTS)LTS | April 18, 2023 | April 30, 2026 | 20.20.2 | End of life |
| 19 | October 18, 2022 | June 1, 2023 | 19.9.0 | End of life |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id OpenJS.NodeJS -emsiexec /i node-v26.12.1-x64.msi /qn /norestartmsiexec /x {FBEF4017-499E-43E9-9CB3-09C84C5B3B75} /qn /norestartProgram files (.exe): corepack.exe, node.exe, npm.exe, npx.exe
Related guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- Node.js Foundation
- Developer
- OpenJS Foundation and Ryan Dahl
- Category
- IDEs & code editors
- Licence
- MIT
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/nodejs/node
- Written in
- C, C++, and JavaScript
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, ARM64
- Installer
- MSI
- Other platforms
- Linux, BSD, macOS, Unix-like operating system, IBM AIX
- Version
- 26.12.1
- Released
- October 21, 2026
- First release
- 2009
- Added to the catalogue
- May 8, 2025
- Versions listed
- 47
- Updates / year
- 32.2
- GitHub stars
- 122,534
- GitHub forks
- 39,968
- Website
- nodejs.org
- winget ID
- OpenJS.NodeJS
- MSI product code
- {FBEF4017-499E-43E9-9CB3-09C84C5B3B75}
File types it opens (3)
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to Node.js
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Frequently asked questions
Is Node.js free?
Yes. Node.js is open-source software under the MIT licence.
Is Node.js safe to download?
The download comes from nodejs.org, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install Node.js with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can Node.js be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer, including msiexec for the MSI package.
Does Node.js run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
Yes, there is a native ARM64 installer.
Where can I download an older version of Node.js?
The versions page lists all 47 versions with links to their official installer files, back to May 6, 2025.
What are alternatives to Node.js?
OpenCode, Apache NetBeans, RStudio, CodeLite and VSCodium. The alternatives page compares them.
