npm in fresh Windows install gives "Error: ENOENT, stat 'C:\Users\hb\AppData\Roaming\npm'" (with solution)

[Henrik Bengtsson]

Hi,

I'm on Windows 7 Ultimate and this is the very first time I installed/used node.js and npm.  The Windows installer and/or npm incorrectly assumes that folder %APPDATA%\npm exist.

PROBLEM:

In a fresh node.js installation 'npm' does not work.  It throws Error: ENOENT, stat 'C:\Users\hb\AppData\Roaming\npm'.

SOLUTION:

Create folder %APPDATA%\npm exists and retry.

REPRODUCIBLE EXAMPLE:

1. Delete %APPDATA%\npm (emulate fresh/first-timer installation)

2. Installed node-v0.10.31-x64.msi [6,103,040 bytes; 5e296a19fe466f278c1620ebdc5985b3] accepting all defaults.

3. Launch cmd.exe and do the following:

{hb}: node --version

v0.10.31

{hb}: npm --version

Error: ENOENT, stat 'C:\Users\hb\AppData\Roaming\npm'

{hb}: npm

Error: ENOENT, stat 'C:\Users\hb\AppData\Roaming\npm'

{hb}: mkdir %APPDATA%\npm

{hb}: npm --version

1.4.23

After this 'npm install ...' works.

My $.02

/Henrik