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Node.js uninstall Windows Installer .msi leaves stranded Corepack files #646
Description
Issue
Uninstalling Node.js that was previously installed using a Windows Installer .msi package leaves files in "C:\Program Files\nodejs" if corepack enable was executed.
This is probably expected behavior for Windows Installer, since the files left behind were not put there by the Windows Installer package. In contrast, Node.js version managers would typically uninstall everything as part of their uninstall process. So in comparison leaving files behind when using Windows Installer could be unexpected and it is not explicitly documented for Node.js or Corepack.
Steps to reproduce
Download the Node.js LTS Windows Installer (.msi) package from https://nodejs.org/en/download, for example
https://nodejs.org/dist/v22.13.1/node-v22.13.1-x64.msi
Open a CMD terminal window in the Downloads folder
msiexec.exe /package node-v22.13.1-x64.msi /quietClose and re-open CMD terminal window "Run as administrator"
corepack enable
msiexec.exe /uninstall node-v22.13.1-x64.msi /quiet
dir "C:\Program Files\nodejs"Reproducible also with https://nodejs.org/dist/v22.14.0/node-v22.14.0-x64.msi
Logs
dir "C:\Program Files\nodejs"
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is 664F-5523
Directory of C:\Program Files\nodejs
11/02/2025 10:27 <DIR> .
10/02/2025 19:14 <DIR> ..
11/02/2025 10:26 314 pnpm
11/02/2025 10:26 210 pnpm.CMD
11/02/2025 10:26 849 pnpm.ps1
11/02/2025 10:26 314 pnpx
11/02/2025 10:26 210 pnpx.CMD
11/02/2025 10:26 849 pnpx.ps1
11/02/2025 10:26 314 yarn
11/02/2025 10:26 210 yarn.CMD
11/02/2025 10:26 849 yarn.ps1
11/02/2025 10:26 320 yarnpkg
11/02/2025 10:26 216 yarnpkg.CMD
11/02/2025 10:26 861 yarnpkg.ps1
12 File(s) 5,516 bytes
Workaround
Applies only to Node.js installed on Windows from an .msi Windows Installer package
- Before uninstalling Node.js, execute
corepack disable- After uninstalling Node.js, delete the files in
C:\Program Files\nodejs
Activity
inoyakaigor commentedon Feb 11, 2025
@MikeMcC399 Am I getting it right in case of problem I've met in #305 I can just delete these files manually?
MikeMcC399 commentedon Feb 11, 2025
@inoyakaigor
I left the advice for you in #305 (comment).
The issue I logged here is related to your problem, but if you are using Node.js
23.7.0which already has the fix then you shouldn't need to delete any files. A default installation should work for you.As I suggested previously, if you want to discuss your individual situation further I would recommend that you open a new issue.
MikeMcC399 commentedon Mar 24, 2025
The Node.js TSC vote stated as strategy decision:
So I no longer expect any effort on issues affecting Corepack only as it is bundled into Node.js. Windows Installer msi is a sub-set of distribution / installation methods. This issue only affects Microsoft Windows and only if a Node.js version manager is not used for installation.
There is already some related workaround advice in the README document, Manual installs section, added through #637.
Closing as not expected to be fixed.