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What's new in v2

NVM for Windows 2 adds support for shim mode. In shim mode, NVM for Windows provides lightweight shims for commands like node, npm, and corepack. These shims make it possible to support new workflows such as per-directory version switching.

Link mode is still available for users who prefer the legacy behavior. Link mode is especially useful in air-gapped environments, or anywhere a simpler static link model is preferred.

The Community Edition remains free and open-source. Commercial plans are available for organizations that need signed installers, compliance materials, governance controls, or custom support.

Automation​

Per-directory version switching​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

NVM for Windows 2 can automatically select a Node.js version based on the current directory. This is enabled by shim mode, because commands like node, npm, and corepack pass through NVM for Windows before resolving to a specific runtime.

Auto-install missing versions​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

When a project requires a Node.js version that is not already installed, NVM for Windows 2 can install it automatically.

Auto-install default global modules​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

NVM for Windows 2 can install user-defined default global modules when a new Node.js version is installed.

Speed​

Parallel simultaneous installations​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

NVM for Windows 2 can install multiple Node.js versions at the same time.

Smaller download sources​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

NVM for Windows 2 supports smaller download sources using 7z archives.

Native extraction​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

NVM for Windows 2 uses native extraction to improve installation speed and reduce external dependencies.

Caching​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

NVM for Windows 2 can cache downloaded and extracted assets to avoid repeating the same work.

Lightweight shims​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

NVM for Windows 2 uses lightweight shims built with Zig.

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

Link mode remains available for users who want legacy behavior without shim-based command interception.

Native integrations​

Windows Apps​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

NVM for Windows 2 integrates with Windows application behavior.

Windows Event Viewer​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

NVM for Windows 2 can write events to Windows Event Viewer.

Windows Registry​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

NVM for Windows 2 can use the Windows Registry for native Windows configuration.

Desktop Notification Center​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

NVM for Windows 2 can surface relevant events through the Windows Desktop Notification Center.

Customization​

User-defined aliases​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

Users can define aliases for Node.js versions or version groups.

User-defined default global modules​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

Users can define global modules that should be installed automatically with new Node.js versions.

Local air-gapped downloads​

Available in: Community, Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

NVM for Windows 2 can use local download sources in air-gapped or restricted environments.

Commercial features​

Code-signed MSI installers​

Available in: Certified Distribution, Compliance, Governance, Custom

Commercial distributions can provide code-signed MSI installers for managed Windows environments.

SBOM, provenance, and release materials​

Available in: Compliance, Governance, Custom

Compliance plans include release materials such as SBOM and provenance documentation.

Fully auditable native logging​

Available in: Governance, Custom

Governance plans provide native logging for audit and operational review.

Active Directory and Entra integration​

Available in: Governance, Custom

Governance plans can integrate with Active Directory and Entra for centralized administration.

Restrict Node.js versions​

Available in: Governance, Custom

Governance plans can restrict which Node.js versions are allowed, such as blocking end-of-life releases.

Control NVM for Windows settings​

Available in: Governance, Custom

Governance plans can control NVM for Windows settings through centralized policy.

Advanced proxy support​

Available in: Governance, Custom

Governance plans include advanced proxy support, including IWA.

Custom Node.js mirrors​

Available in: Governance, Custom

Governance plans include support for custom Node.js mirrors.