How to Install Yarn on Windows

Yarn is a popular package manager for JavaScript projects developed by Facebook. It offers several advantages over npm such as faster dependency installation better security and more reliable package management. While it is primarily associated with Node.js development Yarn can be used for various JavaScript based applications.

In this post, we will cover the process of installing Yarn on Windows operating system using different methods and configurations along with troubleshooting steps.

Installation Methods

Following are four methods described below while installing yarn on Windows operating system:

Method 1: Install Yarn via NPM

The most common way to install Yarn is through npm which comes bundled with Node.js. If you have not already installed Node.js refer to our guide on how to install Node.js and NPM on Windows operating system.

After installing, open the start menu and type “Command Prompt”. To verify that npm is installed correctly, run the following command:

npm -v

If npm is installed you will see its version number.

After that, run the following command to install Yarn globally:

npm install -g yarn

This will download and install Yarn to your system’s global directory.

After the installation is complete verify it by running the following command:

yarn --version

This command should display the version of Yarn installed on your system.

Method 2: Install Yarn via MSI Installer

Another method to install Yarn is by using the MSI installer. This method is simple and user-friendly.

Go to the official Yarn website and download the MSI installer.

Double click the downloaded .msi file in your “Download” folder to launch the installer.

The installation setup wizard will appear, Click “Next” to continue.

Accept the End user License agreement, Click “Next” to continue.

Set the directory path which is usually “Program Files (x86)” for installation.

After that, the installation started immediately. When the installation is complete verify by running the version command.

Method 3: Install Yarn via Chocolatey

Chocolatey is a package manager for Windows that simplifies the installation of software. If you have Chocolatey installed on Windows you can use it to install Yarn.

Open PowerShell as Administrator by pressing Win + X and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”. Run the following command to install Yarn:

choco install yarn

After the installation is complete verify it by running the version command.

Method 4: Install Yarn via Scoop

Scoop is another package manager for Windows that can be used to install Yarn. Note that Scoop does not automatically install Node.js so you need to have Node.js installed beforehand.

Open PowerShell as Administrator by pressing Win + X and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”. If you have not installed Scoop run the following command:

Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
iwr -useb get.scoop.sh | iex

Run the following command to install Yarn:

scoop install yarn

Configuring Yarn

After Yarn Windows installs you might want to configure it to suit your development environment. Here are some common configurations:

Set Yarn Registry

You can set the Yarn registry to a custom URL if needed:

yarn config set registry <registry_url>

Enable Offline Mode

Yarn supports offline mode which allows you to install packages without an internet connection:

yarn config set yarn-offline-mirror <path_to_mirror>

Global Packages

You can install packages globally using Yarn:

yarn global add <package_name>

Using Yarn

Once Yarn is installed you can start using it to manage your JavaScript projects. Here are some basic commands:

1. Initialize a New Project: To create a new project navigate to your project directory and run:

yarn init

2. Add Dependencies: To add a new dependency to your project, run:

yarn add <package_name>

3. Remove Dependencies: To remove a dependency, run:

yarn remove <package_name>

4. Install All Dependencies: To install all dependencies listed in your package.json file, run:

yarn install

5. Upgrade Dependencies: To upgrade a dependency to the latest version, run:

yarn upgrade <package_name>

Troubleshooting Steps

If you encounter issues while installing or using Yarn, here are some common troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure you have installed the latest versions of Node.js and npm.
• Sometimes clearing the Yarn cache can resolve issues.
• If all else fails try uninstalling and reinstalling Yarn.

Conclusion

Installing Yarn on Windows is a straightforward process and you have multiple methods to choose from. Whether you prefer using npm the MSI installer Chocolatey or Scoop, you can easily set up Yarn and start managing your JavaScript projects efficiently. With its speed reliability and security features, Yarn is a valuable tool for any developer working with JavaScript.

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