'Express' is not recognized command (windows) - node.js

Question

Okay I am running node on windows (7). Using npm I just installed modules to d:\ directory. Therefore my files structure looks like the following:
D:\
-myproject
-node_modules
-.bin
-express
However, when I am in this 'myproject' directory, I can't seem to run 'express' for example:
D:\myproject\express site
'express' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
Am I doing anything wrong?

Answer 1

Try:
npm install -g express-generator#3
That solved problem for me.
Edit: for version 4
npm install express-generator -g
Description:
express is the package for dependency of express js.
express-generator is the package for enabeling express command and create a sample project, etc.
Assuming that this is kept separate for the decoupling of project dependency with cli tool of express.
Another SO ref: https://stackoverflow.com/a/41311733/1666582

Answer 2

Here's what to type in the command line to make it work in windows:
npm install express-generator -g
[Source: http://expressjs.com/starter/generator.html]

Answer 3

My guess is that you didn't install Express globally. You can install express globally (and therefore available in your PATH) with the following command (see http://expressjs.com/guide.html) :
npm install -g express
The way you install it is available only in the folder that you installed it and there is nothing wrong with that approach. There is very little advantage of having it available globally.
If express is not in your PATH you can run it by entering the full path to it:
\myproject\node_modules\.bin\express.cmd

Answer 4

With the release of Express 4.0.0 it looks like you need to do
npm install -g express-generator

Answer 5

We need to set path for express global directory
C:\Users[User_Name]\AppData\Roaming\npm\
After add a new path, please reopen the CMD console

Answer 6

Tried all of these and never worked. A repair of Node.js by kicking of installation and selecting repair option does the magic.
Cheers

Answer 7

What worked for me was:
I used the windows command prompt instead of the node.js command prompt.
In windows 10 simply type in the windows search bar for "node"
You see a node.js desktop app and a node js command prompt.
Choose the "node js command prompt"
Type in the command prompt
npm install express-generator -g
Then navigate somewhere and type in:
express your-website-text-here -e
A directory with express files will be generated. Also now you won't see the express error.

Answer 8

I was able to fix with the following package install:
npm install express-generator -g
Thanks

Answer 9

When you install Node.js, the below path is added to the Windows OS %Path% variable, I'm presuming similar happens on other operating systems as well:
C:\Users\<your-windows-username>\AppData\Roaming\npm
In my case, because I use a work Windows laptop for an employer that severely restricts what employees can do on their machines (I.e. many actions require elevated admin privileges), Node.js was being prevented from adding the above path to the Windows %Path% environment variable, and much to my chagrin the Node.js installation was silent about it. Navigate to above folder and you will notice the express command lives there, see screenshot below.
How did I figure this out? I did a fresh installation of Node.js on a personal, home Windows machine that has no admin privilege restrictions like my work machine does, compared the before and after %Path% value, and noticed the addition of that path. My work machine was missing it.
I had no choice but to add the path manually to %Path%, and then express was recognized from within any path I ran it.

Answer 10

I was able to fix this with:
npm install express-generator -g

Answer 11

I tried all the above solution, no luck for me.
Open "Node.js" command prompt and tried as administrator. It is working fine for me. Don't try with windows command prompt.

Answer 12

I have the same problem and understand the solution, but i can´t undestand why, running npm install -g express, express.bat isn´t added automatically to Path.
Running with npm install -g express have the same result. Download packages and store in node_modules, but express.bat isn´t added to path.

Answer 13

Run the node command prompt as administrator and then install express globaly
npm install -g express
and then go to folder where you want to install express generator, open command prompt there and run this command
npm install express-generator, it will then fix the issue

Answer 14

I have tried out all above solutions, but its did't worked for me, finally I have re-installed the node.js with newer version and started to express install process again. Its worked for me.
npm install -g express
npm install -g express-generator

Answer 15

What command are you using to open the directory?
That error means CMD can't find the "express" executable in the current directory.
Use the "PUSHD" command or "CD /D" instead of "CD"
#Echo OFF
PUSHD "D:\myproject\express" || (Echo bad folder)
express.exe "site"
Pause&Exit

Answer 16

Express is loaded someplace else and not in the windows path environment variable. You need to find were express.exe is installed and add the path. Maybe something like ;"C:\Program Files\Express\bin";

Answer 17

Running "npm install express" and "npm install express-generator" from your project directory will resolve the issue (if that helps).
But, this doesn't solve the problem of being global.

Answer 18

You might check the permissions to the folder if you are getting this when creating your project
Express Project

Answer 19

change script section in package.json file like this
"scripts": {
"start": "node app.js"
}

Answer 20

I too faced the similar problem and at last I tried using node.js command prompt instead of windows command prompt and it worked. So, try from node.js command prompt.

Answer 21

Tried all of these but didn't work for me. Also, I tried from different sources but never worked for me.
In the end, found that I need to run the command forcefully. It worked for me.
Make sure you run the command with Run as Administrator.
npm install -g --force express-generator
It will overwrite the existing express files.

Answer 22

Use npm start .. then the app.js runs .. which can be listened on the usual port 3000