# Settings file nonexistant after install

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/settings-file-nonexistant-after-install/30506>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [21 July 2020 20:16 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/settings-file-nonexistant-after-install/30506 "2020-07-21T20:16:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![FrancoisStArnaud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@FrancoisStArnaud](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/FrancoisStArnaud)\
**Post date:** [21 July 2020 20:16 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/settings-file-nonexistant-after-install/30506/1 "2020-07-21T20:16:49Z")

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Hi, I am new to Node-RED, sorry if this has been answered elsewhere, I couldn't find the answer.

So, I just installed Node-Red, following the instructions from the Getting Started page ([https://nodered.org/docs/getting-started/windows](https://nodered.org/docs/getting-started/windows)) and it will not start. I get this error:  
Error loading settings file: \Users\FrancoisStArnaud\.node-red\settings.js

I checked, and the file is not there. I am also unable to launch the extension in VS Code, don't know if there is a link between the two issues.

I have node v12.18.2 and npm 6.14.5

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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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:** [21 July 2020 20:21 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/settings-file-nonexistant-after-install/30506/2 "2020-07-21T20:21:30Z")

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> [@FrancoisStArnaud](#):
>
> \Users\FrancoisStArnaud.node-red\settings.js

Are you sure that is correct? Can you copy from the CMD terminal.

Normally it'll be `c:\users\username\.node-red\settings.js`

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**Author:** ![FrancoisStArnaud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@FrancoisStArnaud](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/FrancoisStArnaud)\
**Post date:** [21 July 2020 20:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/settings-file-nonexistant-after-install/30506/3 "2020-07-21T20:23:40Z")

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Hi @Steve-Mcl,

There is actually a "" before .node-red, I corrected the original message.

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**Author:** ![FrancoisStArnaud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@FrancoisStArnaud](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/FrancoisStArnaud)\
**Post date:** [21 July 2020 20:27 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/settings-file-nonexistant-after-install/30506/4 "2020-07-21T20:27:01Z")

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There is a file named settings.js in my folder C:\Users\FrancoisSt-Arnaud\node\_modules\node-red, can I copy it directly in \Users\FrancoisStArnaud\.node-red\ and run the "node-red" command?

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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:** [21 July 2020 20:31 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/settings-file-nonexistant-after-install/30506/5 "2020-07-21T20:31:53Z")

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I don't think you have installed correctly. Looks like you missed the `-g` part (I could be wrong). I would try again.

Run an CMD terminal as administrator then run `npm install -g --unsafe-perm node-red`

Ps, delete that node\_modules folder from your user folder.

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**Author:** ![FrancoisStArnaud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@FrancoisStArnaud](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/FrancoisStArnaud)\
**Post date:** [21 July 2020 20:42 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/settings-file-nonexistant-after-install/30506/6 "2020-07-21T20:42:13Z")

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Seems like you were right. I deleted the .node-red and node\_modules folders, then re-installed in CMD as admin (I had previously installed in PowerShell). It worked! The settings.js file has been created, I can launch node-red and even connect in the web brower!

Thank you so much!!!

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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:** [4 August 2020 20:42 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/settings-file-nonexistant-after-install/30506/7 "2020-08-04T20:42:16Z")

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