How to Install NodeBB on Windows 10

NodeBB is a popular forum software built on Node.js and can be easily installed on Windows 10. Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to install NodeBB on Windows 10.

Prerequisites

Before we start with the installation process, there are a few things you need to have installed on your computer.

• Node.js
• MongoDB

If you haven't installed Node.js and MongoDB already, follow the steps here to install MongoDB and follow the steps here to install Node.js.

Step 1: Download NodeBB

First, visit the NodeBB website at https://nodebb.org/ and download the latest release of NodeBB.

Step 2: Extract NodeBB Archive

Once you have downloaded the NodeBB archive file, extract it to the folder of your choice. You can use WinRAR or any other archive tool to extract the files.

Step 3: Install Dependencies

Open a command prompt and navigate to the directory where you extracted NodeBB files. Run the following command to install all the dependencies required to run NodeBB.

npm install --production

Step 4: Configure NodeBB

Rename the config.json.example file to config.json. Open the config.json file and edit the following settings:

{
  "url": "http://localhost:4567",
  "secret": "some-secret-code",
  "database": "mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017/nodebb",
  "mongo": {
    "host": "127.0.0.1",
    "port": "27017",
    "database": "nodebb"
  }
}

• Replace http://localhost:4567 with your domain name or IP address.
• Replace "some-secret-code" with a secure secret code.
• Change the MongoDB URL or leave it as is if it's hosted locally.

Step 5: Start NodeBB

To start NodeBB, run the following command from the NodeBB folder.

node app.js

If everything is configured correctly, you should see a message similar to this:

NodeBB v1.x.x Copyright (C) 2013-2014 NodeBB Inc.
This program comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY.
This is free software, and you are welcome to redistribute it under certain conditions.
For the full license, please visit: http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html
Clustering enabled: Spinning up 1 process(es).
2014-11-27T00:54:56.804Z [5468] - info: Time: Thu Nov 27 2014 00:54:56 GMT+0000 (UTC)
2014-11-27T00:54:56.804Z [5468] - info: Initializing NodeBB v1.x.x
2014-11-27T00:54:58.120Z [5468] - info: [socket.io] Restricting access to origin: http://localhost:4567
2014-11-27T00:54:59.082Z [5468] - info: Routes added
2014-11-27T00:54:59.083Z [5468] - info: NodeBB Ready

Step 6: Access NodeBB

Visit http://localhost:4567 in your browser to access NodeBB. You can now start setting it up and customizing it to your liking.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed NodeBB on Windows 10.

If you want to self-host in an easy, hands free way, need an external IP address, or simply want your data in your own hands, give IPv6.rs a try!

Alternatively, for the best virtual desktop, try Shells!