Install n8n on Windows by installing Node.js 18 or newer, then running npm install n8n -g in a terminal. Start n8n with the n8n start command and open http://localhost:5678 in your browser. Alternatively, use Docker Desktop for a containerized installation that avoids Node.js dependency issues.
Installing n8n on Windows
n8n can be installed on Windows using either npm (Node Package Manager) or Docker Desktop. The npm method installs n8n as a global Node.js package, making it available from any terminal. The Docker method runs n8n in a container, isolating it from your system and avoiding potential dependency conflicts. Both methods give you the full n8n experience with all nodes and the visual workflow editor. This tutorial covers both approaches so you can choose the one that fits your setup.
Prerequisites
- Windows 10 (version 1903+) or Windows 11
- Administrator access to install software
- A web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)
- For Docker: Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise with WSL 2, or Windows 11
Step-by-step guide
Install Node.js 18 or newer
Install Node.js 18 or newer
n8n requires Node.js version 18 or higher. Go to nodejs.org and download the LTS (Long Term Support) installer for Windows. Run the installer and accept the default settings. Make sure the option to add Node.js to PATH is checked — this is enabled by default. After installation, open a new Command Prompt or PowerShell window and verify the installation.
1# Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and check versions2node --version3npm --version45# You should see output like:6# v20.11.07# 10.2.0Expected result: Node.js and npm are installed. Running node --version shows v18 or higher. Running npm --version shows a version number.
Install n8n globally with npm
Install n8n globally with npm
Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as Administrator (right-click and select Run as Administrator). Run the npm install command to install n8n globally. The -g flag makes n8n available from any directory in your terminal. The installation downloads n8n and all its dependencies, which may take a few minutes.
1# Install n8n globally2npm install n8n -g34# Verify installation5n8n --versionExpected result: n8n is installed globally. Running n8n --version shows the installed version number.
Start n8n
Start n8n
Run the n8n start command in your terminal. n8n starts a web server on port 5678 by default. Open your browser and go to http://localhost:5678. On the first run, n8n asks you to create an owner account with an email and password. After creating the account, you see the n8n editor where you can create your first workflow.
1# Start n8n2n8n start34# n8n will output:5# n8n ready on 0.0.0.0, port 56786# Editor is now accessible via http://localhost:5678Expected result: n8n starts and the terminal shows 'Editor is now accessible via http://localhost:5678'. Opening that URL in your browser shows the n8n setup screen.
Alternative: Install with Docker Desktop
Alternative: Install with Docker Desktop
If you prefer containers, install Docker Desktop for Windows from docker.com. Docker Desktop requires WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux), which it can install for you during setup. After Docker Desktop is running, open a terminal and run the Docker command to start n8n in a container. The -v flag creates a persistent volume so your workflows survive container restarts.
1# Pull and run n8n with Docker2docker run -d ^3 --name n8n ^4 -p 5678:5678 ^5 -v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n ^6 docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n78# Check that the container is running9docker ps1011# View logs12docker logs n8nExpected result: The n8n Docker container starts and is accessible at http://localhost:5678. Running docker ps shows the container in a running state.
Configure n8n to start automatically
Configure n8n to start automatically
For the npm installation, you can use NSSM (Non-Sucking Service Manager) to run n8n as a Windows service that starts on boot. Download NSSM from nssm.cc, then use it to create a service that runs the n8n start command. For Docker, set the restart policy to always so Docker restarts n8n automatically.
1# Docker: set restart policy to always2docker update --restart=always n8n34# npm + NSSM: install n8n as a Windows service5# 1. Download nssm from nssm.cc6# 2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator7nssm install n8n "C:\Program Files\nodejs\node.exe" "C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\n8n\bin\n8n" start8nssm start n8nExpected result: n8n starts automatically when Windows boots. For Docker, the container restarts with Docker Desktop. For NSSM, n8n runs as a background Windows service.
Complete working example
1@echo off2REM install-n8n-windows.bat3REM Quick n8n installation script for Windows45echo ============================================6echo n8n Installation Script for Windows7echo ============================================8echo.910REM Check if Node.js is installed11node --version >nul 2>&112if %errorlevel% neq 0 (13 echo ERROR: Node.js is not installed.14 echo Please download and install Node.js 18+ from https://nodejs.org15 echo Make sure to check "Add to PATH" during installation.16 pause17 exit /b 118)1920REM Check Node.js version21for /f "tokens=1 delims=v." %%a in ('node --version') do set NODE_MAJOR=%%a22echo Found Node.js version: 23node --version24echo.2526REM Install n8n globally27echo Installing n8n globally via npm...28echo This may take a few minutes.29npm install n8n -g3031if %errorlevel% neq 0 (32 echo ERROR: n8n installation failed.33 echo Try running this script as Administrator.34 pause35 exit /b 136)3738echo.39echo ============================================40echo n8n installed successfully!41echo ============================================42echo.43echo To start n8n, run: n8n start44echo Then open http://localhost:5678 in your browser.45echo.46echo To update n8n later, run: npm update n8n -g47echo.48pauseCommon mistakes when installing n8n on Windows
Why it's a problem: Installing Node.js without checking the 'Add to PATH' option
How to avoid: Reinstall Node.js and make sure 'Add to PATH' is checked. Or manually add C:\Program Files\nodejs\ to your system PATH environment variable.
Why it's a problem: Running npm install without Administrator privileges on Windows
How to avoid: Right-click on Command Prompt or PowerShell and select 'Run as Administrator' before running npm install n8n -g.
Why it's a problem: Using Node.js version 16 or older
How to avoid: n8n requires Node.js 18 or newer. Download the latest LTS version from nodejs.org and install it over the old version.
Why it's a problem: Not creating a Docker volume for persistent storage
How to avoid: Always use -v n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n when starting the Docker container. Without this, all workflows are lost when the container is removed.
Best practices
- Use the LTS (Long Term Support) version of Node.js for maximum compatibility with n8n
- Run n8n as a Windows service or Docker container for production use so it survives reboots
- Create a persistent volume when using Docker to avoid losing workflows on container updates
- Keep n8n updated by running npm update n8n -g (npm) or pulling the latest Docker image periodically
- Use Docker Desktop if you want to avoid Node.js version conflicts with other projects
- Set up a firewall rule if you need to access n8n from other machines on your network
- Back up the .n8n directory (usually at C:\Users\YourUser\.n8n) regularly — it contains your database and settings
Still stuck?
Copy one of these prompts to get a personalized, step-by-step explanation.
I want to install n8n on my Windows 11 computer. Walk me through installing Node.js and n8n using npm, starting n8n, and setting it up to run automatically on boot. Also show me the Docker Desktop alternative.
How do I install n8n on Windows? I want the simplest method — either npm or Docker. Show me the commands and how to verify it is working.
Frequently asked questions
What version of Node.js do I need for n8n?
n8n requires Node.js version 18 or newer. Download the LTS version from nodejs.org for the best compatibility. As of March 2026, Node.js 20 LTS is recommended.
Can I run n8n on Windows without Docker?
Yes. Install Node.js 18+, then run npm install n8n -g to install n8n globally. Start it with n8n start. No Docker needed.
Where does n8n store its data on Windows?
n8n stores its SQLite database, credentials, and settings in the .n8n directory at C:\Users\YourUsername\.n8n by default. Back up this directory regularly.
How do I update n8n on Windows?
For npm installations, run npm update n8n -g. For Docker, pull the latest image with docker pull docker.n8n.io/n8nio/n8n and recreate the container.
Can I access n8n from another computer on my network?
Yes. n8n listens on 0.0.0.0 by default, so it is accessible at http://YOUR_WINDOWS_IP:5678 from other devices on the same network. You may need to create a Windows Firewall inbound rule to allow port 5678.
Can RapidDev help with n8n installation and setup on Windows?
Yes. RapidDev can set up n8n on Windows servers or Docker, configure HTTPS, set up backups, and ensure your instance is production-ready. Contact RapidDev for assistance.
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