How to install n8n on Windows?

The simplest and most reliable way to install n8n on Windows is to run it through Docker Desktop. Windows itself is not an officially recommended production OS for n8n, but Docker provides a clean Linux environment inside Windows, and that works very well. You install Docker Desktop, run a single docker‑run command, and n8n will be available at http://localhost:5678.

 

Recommended Installation Method: Docker Desktop

 

This method avoids the usual Windows pitfalls (like Node version conflicts, permission issues, or npm build errors). Docker runs n8n exactly how it runs in real production servers, so what you build locally behaves the same on deployment.

• You install Docker Desktop for Windows.
• You pull the official n8n Docker image.
• You start n8n with one command.

 

// This command starts n8n on http://localhost:5678
docker run -it --rm \
  -p 5678:5678 \
  -e N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=false \
  n8nio/n8n

 

Why N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=false? On Windows localhost, https is usually not enabled. n8n’s login cookies are secure by default (they require https). Setting this env variable disables that check so you can log in locally.

After running the command, open:

http://localhost:5678

That’s it — n8n is installed and running.

 

Step-by-Step Setup Explanation

 

This section breaks down the process in a way a junior developer or non‑tech teammate can follow with confidence.

• Step 1 — Install Docker Desktop
  Download from: https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop When installed, Docker provides a Linux container engine inside Windows, which is the environment n8n expects.
• Step 2 — Open a terminal
  You can use PowerShell, Command Prompt, or Windows Terminal. Anything is fine.
• Step 3 — Run the docker command
  The command above pulls the official n8n image (first time only) and runs it.
  • -p 5678:5678 exposes n8n’s port so your browser can reach it.
  • --rm means the container is temporary (good for testing).
  • -it keeps the container running interactively.
  • n8nio/n8n is the official image maintained by n8n.
• Step 4 — Visit n8n in your browser
  Once you see logs saying n8n is ready, open http://localhost:5678 and create your local account.

 

If You Want Persistence (optional but common)

 

By default, the temporary Docker container forgets everything when you stop it. In real workflows, you want your credentials and workflows to persist. You can add a volume:

// This keeps your n8n data saved on your Windows machine
docker run -it --rm \
  -p 5678:5678 \
  -e N8N_SECURE_COOKIE=false \
  -v C:/n8n_data:/home/node/.n8n \
  n8nio/n8n

 

Now all workflows, credentials, and settings survive restarts.

 

Alternate Method: Installing via Node.js on Windows

 

You can install n8n using Node/npm, but it’s less reliable on Windows for beginners because native build tools sometimes fail. Still, it works:

• Install Node.js LTS from nodejs.org
• Open a terminal and run:

// Install n8n globally
npm install -g n8n

// Start n8n
n8n

If everything compiles successfully, n8n will again start at http://localhost:5678. But if you hit errors about Python or build tools, switch to Docker—it avoids all of that.

 

Practical Production Notes

 

Even though you’re installing on Windows, remember that Windows is fine for development but not ideal for production. Real deployments usually use Linux, Docker Compose, or n8n Cloud. Still, Docker Desktop on Windows is stable and matches how n8n runs in real servers, so it’s the best development setup.

This approach gives you a consistent environment, fewer platform surprises, and a smooth path to production later.