However, I’m wondering about the security implications of changing this setting. Is this the recommended approach, or are there alternative methods to get npm working again? Has anyone else encountered this problem after upgrading Node.js recently?
yeah, this tripped me up when i updated node last week too. your fix is right - remotesigned is pretty much standard for windows dev setups now. you could also just use cmd instead of powershell for npm stuff if you dont want to mess with execution policies, but that gets old fast.
I’ve encountered the same issue after switching to Node 18.x recently. The execution policy adjustment you mentioned is indeed recommended by Microsoft. Setting it to RemoteSigned allows downloaded scripts to require a digital signature while ensuring that local scripts can execute without issues. With the new Node versions, PowerShell enforces restrictions on npm wrapper scripts, which is why this happens. Using Command Prompt is an alternative, but it defeats the purpose of using PowerShell for development. I’ve had no security concerns using RemoteSigned; just avoid setting it to Unrestricted or AllSigned unless you fully understand the risks. Your solution is effective and widely accepted in the Node.js community.
Had this exact same problem last month. What fixed it for me was using nvm-windows instead of the official installer. It handles PowerShell integration way better and completely avoids these execution policy headaches. The RemoteSigned setting you found is totally safe for dev work - it’s what Microsoft actually recommends for developers. You can also run PowerShell as admin and use npm commands from there, but that’s annoying for daily use. The issue happens because newer Node versions include PowerShell wrapper scripts that older versions didn’t have, which triggers Windows security restrictions. Your fix is solid and most dev teams use it.