# Adding Node.JS to the system path
###### tags: `Environment Variables` `Path`
*Posted 2022-07-04*
---
[For Windows Users](#Windows-Users)
[For Linux users](#Linux-Users)
## Windows Users
Open the start menu and write "path". The following option should show up, click it.
<img width="50%" src="https://i.imgur.com/oblzlIp.png" alt="windows environment variables" style="margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:25%;" />
<p width="100%" style="text-align:center;">
Image 1: System environment variables
</p>
This opens the window for system properties. Click "Environment Variables..." to continue.
<img width="50%" src="https://i.imgur.com/xskGxQt.png" alt="windows environment variables" style="margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:25%;" />
<p width="100%" style="text-align:center;">
Image 2: System properies window
</p>
While you can add the path to only your user, Node.JS is used in many other applications and I strongly advice adding it to the **system variables** instead of **user variables**. Select "PATH" and click "Edit..."
<img width="50%" src="https://i.imgur.com/EkAYJ29.png" alt="windows environment variables" style="margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:25%;" />
<p width="100%" style="text-align:center;">
Image 3: Environment variables window
</p>
Finally just press "New" and input the path to your Node.JS installation in the new field under the already existing ones.
<img width="50%" src="https://i.imgur.com/MbpKS58.png" alt="windows environment variables" style="margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:25%;" />
<p width="100%" style="text-align:center;">
Image 4: Edit variables window
</p>
Now just press OK, OK, then, you guessed it, OK, and you're done!
## Linux Users
For Linux, literally execute the a single BASH command in the terminal of your liking:
```bash
export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/nodejs/bin
```