# Portable Node-RED v2.1.3

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244>\
**Category:** Share Your Projects\
**Created:** [5 November 2021 04:31 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244 "2021-11-05T04:31:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Jocman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/jocman/32/64370_2.png) [@Jocman](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Jocman)\
**Post date:** [11 July 2022 06:44 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/22 "2022-07-11T06:44:55Z")

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I miss the Manage Palette menu....

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/8/9/89ff712603b6347e2ce767a95c9d85ee6842742a.png)

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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:** [11 July 2022 07:11 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/23 "2022-07-11T07:11:52Z")

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Do you have npm installed on the machine running this?

Is npm available on path?

What does `npm -v` show when ran from a terminal in the directory where is app lives?

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**Author:** ![Jocman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/jocman/32/64370_2.png) [@Jocman](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Jocman)\
**Post date:** [11 July 2022 09:04 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/24 "2022-07-11T09:04:56Z")

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If i did it right, it says (translated in english):  
"not such an internal or external command, nor a program or batch file"

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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:** [11 July 2022 10:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/25 "2022-07-11T10:01:46Z")

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> [@Jocman](#):
>
> "not such an internal or external command, nor a program or batch file"

Then thats why you get no palette manager - it _NEEDS_ `npm` (AKA _node package manager_) installed to install nodes 🤷‍♂️

- How did you install `nodejs`?
- What version of `nodejs` are you running (enter `node -v` in a command line terminal)
- What computer OS (operating system) are you running on?

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**Author:** ![cymplecy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/cymplecy/32/2773_2.png) [@cymplecy](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/cymplecy)\
**Post date:** [11 July 2022 10:27 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/26 "2022-07-11T10:27:06Z")

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@Steve-Mcl This is a portable NR package - not standard - it shouldn't need anything else installing

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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:** [11 July 2022 10:30 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/27 "2022-07-11T10:30:48Z")

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Yeah, I know it is a portable version but somehow it will still need NPM.

NOTE: I understand why you pointed that out (it suggests NPM should also be packaged with the portable app) - but I dont know (I've never used it) - what i do know is, lack of NPM is the reason for no palette manager.

So, if NPM is supposed to be packaged and is present then it may be the path the app is executed from (hence why i asked what OS)

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**Author:** ![Jocman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/jocman/32/64370_2.png) [@Jocman](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Jocman)\
**Post date:** [11 July 2022 13:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/28 "2022-07-11T13:12:07Z")

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I'm running the portable version on win 10.  
The PC doesn't allow to install external software (that's why I need the portable one)  
Anymay, digging into the folder, I found something maybe related:

- folder npmlog (\resources\app\node\_modules)  
but no more else....

PS: node -v gives the same answer as before....

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**Author:** ![Jocman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/jocman/32/64370_2.png) [@Jocman](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Jocman)\
**Post date:** [12 July 2022 07:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/29 "2022-07-12T07:36:34Z")

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I tried to re-download the zip file, but nothing changed (Manager Palette still missing)  
@cymplecy WHere did you get your versione (as it seems complete)?

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**Author:** ![cymplecy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/cymplecy/32/2773_2.png) [@cymplecy](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/cymplecy)\
**Post date:** [12 July 2022 07:50 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/30 "2022-07-12T07:50:54Z")

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From 1st link in 1st post

It could be (as Steve is suggesting) that the project is missing something from the package

I might be getting different result from you as I already have full Node-RED running on same machine

Just as a comparison, try installing Node-RED Desktop and see what you get with that

> **[Node-RED Desktop](https://sakazuki.github.io/node-red-desktop/)**
>
> Desktop applicaiton of Node-RED. You can get a quick and easy powerful tool.

I used to us that version a in schools and it always worked for me

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jocman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/jocman/32/64370_2.png) [@Jocman](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Jocman)\
**Post date:** [12 July 2022 09:37 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/31 "2022-07-12T09:37:47Z")

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Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to install external software on the pc where I should use it, that's why the portable version

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**Author:** ![cymplecy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/cymplecy/32/2773_2.png) [@cymplecy](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/cymplecy)\
**Post date:** [12 July 2022 09:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/32 "2022-07-12T09:43:47Z")

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OK  
Run the Node-RED Desktop on a PC where you do have access

Then just zip up the folder where it ends up installing it and you'll have the same type of thing as the one at the top of the thread.

I used this technique in my schools to install it on a network share and then just got the pupils to run the exe from there

FYI on my current Win11 computer

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/e/0/e06a32bdda7f568c3ff2783180ba7fb714e12972.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jocman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/jocman/32/64370_2.png) [@Jocman](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Jocman)\
**Post date:** [12 July 2022 14:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/33 "2022-07-12T14:43:19Z")

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As soon as I back home I'll try it

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jocman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/jocman/32/64370_2.png) [@Jocman](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Jocman)\
**Post date:** [13 July 2022 10:41 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/34 "2022-07-13T10:41:11Z")

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I did as you suggested, and it works! (or, at least, it seems working fine)

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**Author:** ![halukmy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/halukmy/32/31192_2.png) [@halukmy](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/halukmy)\
**Post date:** [1 August 2023 07:05 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/35 "2023-08-01T07:05:58Z")

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hello, how can activate security login?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [1 August 2023 07:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/36 "2023-08-01T07:12:29Z")

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For which version? There are 2 in discussion.

Also, the answer will probably be the same as an ordinary installation - edit settings.js file. Details are here: [Securing Node-RED : Node-RED](https://nodered.org/docs/user-guide/runtime/securing-node-red)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![halukmy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/halukmy/32/31192_2.png) [@halukmy](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/halukmy)\
**Post date:** [1 August 2023 07:30 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/37 "2023-08-01T07:30:55Z")

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i have two node-red, one of is standart installation on windows, and its totally secured, settings.js under users folder,

but second one is portable one, but its not possible to use secure login, i still searching settings.js files where located at, any one has idea?

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**Author:** ![Sergii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Sergii](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Sergii)\
**Post date:** [12 November 2024 20:45 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/38 "2024-11-12T20:45:42Z")

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I looked at several different projects to create a portable NodRED. But everywhere the version is very old, how can I update to the current one? And can someone tell me how I can pack my project instead of the proposed project? What folders or files need to be changed?

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**Author:** ![Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/54ee81/32.png) [@Balk](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Balk)\
**Post date:** [9 July 2025 16:47 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/39 "2025-07-09T16:47:52Z")

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What you should ask, is why there isn't a commit / proposal to node-red contribution.

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**Author:** ![sharonv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@sharonv](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/sharonv)\
**Post date:** [13 July 2025 11:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/40 "2025-07-13T11:17:17Z")

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This project will allow you to get the latest version as 1 exe file.

> [@Node RED v4 : Single File Executable](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-v4-single-file-executable/89323):
>
> Afternoon, It's Back!! Single File Executable for Node RED v4 (With the option of embedding your flows) Some History: A while ago, I posted a guide on how to create an SFE : See [Node-RED Standalone Executable - #12 by marcus-j-davies](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/node-red-standalone-executable/77963/12) This quickly become incompatible shortly after, due to ESM being used and various other changes in the core, so I have spent many many hours in getting this working... and Today: I share a new guide: Easier Node RED v4 Allows embedding a flow (i.e protec…

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**Author:** ![marcus-j-davies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/marcus-j-davies/32/103435_2.png) [@marcus-j-davies](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/marcus-j-davies)\
**Post date:** [13 July 2025 13:38 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/portable-node-red-v2-1-3/53244/41 "2025-07-13T13:38:53Z")

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It turned into a complete solution.  
Its has flaws, but for the most part is fully fucntional

> **[GitHub - marcus-j-davies/Node-RED-SFE: A Single File Executable framework for Node-RED](https://github.com/marcus-j-davies/Node-RED-SFE)**
>
> A Single File Executable framework for Node-RED

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