# How to install and run Node-red on windows XP?

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-run-node-red-on-windows-xp/100413>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [19 February 2026 16:15 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-run-node-red-on-windows-xp/100413 "2026-02-19T16:15:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 10\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![saraltech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71e660/32.png) [@saraltech](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/saraltech)\
**Post date:** [19 February 2026 16:15 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-run-node-red-on-windows-xp/100413/1 "2026-02-19T16:15:01Z")

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I have a very old windows XP PC installed on an machine. We dont want to replace the machine and it does not support windows upgrade. to move data out from this PC, we need to install Node -red on this. Please help how can we install Node-red, which node.js version and which node-red version?  
Thanks.

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**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [19 February 2026 16:50 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-run-node-red-on-windows-xp/100413/2 "2026-02-19T16:50:31Z")

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> [@saraltech](#):
>
> Please help how can we install Node-red, which node.js version and which node-red version?

AFAIK, the last Node.js release that was usable on Windows XP SP3 in the v4.x range (YMMV)

I _think_ node-red v1 might support that (cant remember)

> [@saraltech](#):
>
> We dont want to replace the machine and it does not support windows upgrade

I would strongly recommend installing a recent, small linux OS on that and get rid of XP.

* * *

XP + old NodeJS + old Node-RED === a HUGE number of critical CVEs - I cannot recommend strongly enough that you get rid of XP and switch to linux

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**Author:** ![dceejay](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/dceejay/32/38_2.png) [@dceejay](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dceejay)\
**Post date:** [20 February 2026 11:31 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-run-node-red-on-windows-xp/100413/3 "2026-02-20T11:31:24Z")

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Depending on what the data is - if it's just files - then I would rather install an FTP server like a very old version of FileZilla or similar and then pull the data from it.... but as Julian has said I would be wary of connecting it to any network at all at this point.due to the possible vulnerabilities.

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**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [20 February 2026 11:34 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-run-node-red-on-windows-xp/100413/4 "2026-02-20T11:34:37Z")

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> [@dceejay](#):
>
> Julian

🫨

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**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [20 February 2026 11:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-run-node-red-on-windows-xp/100413/5 "2026-02-20T11:35:39Z")

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I'm always lurking!  
 ![CatLurkingGIF](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/1/5/15e956b64ecaf5debbbae800ab76100e04a44393.gif)

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**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [20 February 2026 11:38 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-run-node-red-on-windows-xp/100413/6 "2026-02-20T11:38:10Z")

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> [@dceejay](#):
>
> I would be wary of connecting it to any network at all at this point.due to the possible vulnerabilities

The use of XP in older industrial or health devices is still all too prevalent sadly. If it cannot be replaced, I would strongly recommend ensuring that it is on a separated LAN segment so that you can control and limit traffic in and out. Also, keep the device OFF the Internet, do updates via sneakernet.

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**Author:** ![dceejay](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/dceejay/32/38_2.png) [@dceejay](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dceejay)\
**Post date:** [20 February 2026 11:38 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-run-node-red-on-windows-xp/100413/7 "2026-02-20T11:38:50Z")

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Sorry Steve ! have been reading too many Julian posts this morning... oops sorry Julian ! aaargh I'm going to upset everyone today !

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**Author:** ![saraltech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71e660/32.png) [@saraltech](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/saraltech)\
**Post date:** [20 February 2026 17:06 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-run-node-red-on-windows-xp/100413/8 "2026-02-20T17:06:26Z")

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Thanks Steve, Julian and Dceejay for the valuable suggestions. I will try to avoid any installation on XP.

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**Author:** ![manglemender](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@manglemender](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/manglemender)\
**Post date:** [24 February 2026 13:05 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-run-node-red-on-windows-xp/100413/9 "2026-02-24T13:05:02Z")

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Coming late to the party here.

How about using a raspberry pi (or similar) with two network interfaces? Enable smb file sharing on XP and map that in the PI on one network. Node-red can then read files and transfer them over the other network while keeping your XP machine isolated behind something you can secure/maintain.

There are many other ways to extract data from legacy machines too. There are edge devices that can gather data directly from PLCs etc and then log or forward it. Many solutions exist.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [25 May 2026 13:06 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-run-node-red-on-windows-xp/100413/10 "2026-05-25T13:06:02Z")

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