"nvm use 16.13.0" will return this error "exit status 145: The directory is not empty."

Question

I have 2 versions of node.js , as follow:-

Your environment has been set up for using Node.js 17.1.0 (x64) and npm.

C:\Windows\System32>nvm list

    16.13.0
    8.16.2

but when i try to use the first version i got this error:-

C:\Windows\System32>nvm use 8.16.2
node v8.16.2 (64-bit) is not installed.

and when i try to use the second version i got this:-

C:\Windows\System32>nvm use 16.13.0
exit status 145: The directory is not empty.

so what is going on? thanks

Answer 1

if it is a Windows machine go to C:\Program Files\nodejs. Then rename that folder to C:\Program Files\nodejsx. After that please check "nvm use v.v.v."

Answer 2

I just fixed it by uninstalling Node.js from the Settings -> Apps menu. According to the https://github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows/pull/615 pull request, nvm cannot change the version because it's conflicting with the normally installed Node.js version. Try deleting Node.js from the Apps settings menu.

Answer 3

When this happen:

C:\Windows\System32>nvm use 16.13.0
exit status 145: The directory is not empty.

Just make sure, the nodejs folder is empty, check C:\Program Files\nodejs or C:\Program Files (x86)\nodejs, otherwise delete the content. Then try again nvm use XXXX (xxxx is the version)