# How to install nvm, the Node Version Manager

`nvm` stands for **Node Version Management**. If you don't have it installed already, in this quick guide we'll show you how to. `nvm` is used to manage the versions of Node.js installed on your computer, so it's a really useful tool. Using it, you can upgrade and change which version of Node.js you're running on your computer, [and change Node.js version](https://fjolt.com/article/javascript-change-nodejs-version).

## How to install nvm
On Linux or Mac, to install `nvm`, you can use the `curl` command:
```
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.1/install.sh | bash
```

If you want to install a different version of `nvm`, you can replace the `v0.39.1` with whatever version you'd like to use. Alternatively, you can use `wget` to install `nvm`:
```
wget -qO- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.1/install.sh | bash
```

After running one of these commands, you need to add `nvm` to your bash profile. So run this command next, so that you can get started using it immediately:
```
export NVM_DIR="$([ -z "${XDG_CONFIG_HOME-}" ] && printf %s "${HOME}/.nvm" || printf %s "${XDG_CONFIG_HOME}/nvm")"
[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" # This loads nvm
```

## How to install nvm on Windows
As with most things, **windows** is a little different. If you want to use an `nvm`-like functionality on windows, you'll need to use a package like `nvm-windows`. [You can learn more about nvm-windows here](https://github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows), [and for the latest install instructions, check out this link](https://github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows/wiki#manual-installation).


## Conclusion
I hope you've enjoyed this quick guide. [If you want to connect with me, I'm on twitter](https://twitter.com/smpnjn) and [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathon-simpson-464278a3/).