Hey there, sorry to hear you're hitting roadblocks installing Node.js 8 or 10 on Windows 10—especially since it works fine on Linux. Let's dive into some targeted solutions based on what you've already tried and the installation context you shared:

• Completely wipe Node.js residuals (beyond the single registry key you deleted)

  1. Uninstall any partial Node.js installations via Control Panel > Programs and Features. For a deeper clean, use a tool like Revo Uninstaller to remove leftover files and registry entries automatically.
  2. Delete these folders manually (replace <YourUsername> with your actual Windows username):
     • C:\Program Files\nodejs
     • C:\Program Files (x86)\nodejs
     • C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\npm
     • C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\npm-cache
  3. Clean up remaining registry entries (back up your registry first before making changes):
     • Open regedit, navigate to and delete (if present):
       • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Node.js
       • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Node.js
       • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Node.js

• Adjust installation permissions and system safeguards

  • Always right-click the Node.js installer and select "Run as administrator"—standard user accounts often lack permissions to write to system directories or modify registry settings.
  • Temporarily disable your antivirus software and Windows Firewall during installation (don't forget to re-enable them afterward). Many security tools block legitimate installer operations by mistake.
  • Ensure Windows 10 is fully updated via Settings > Update & Security. Outdated system patches can cause compatibility issues with older Node.js versions.

• Use the offline installer instead of the online one
  Download the full .msi offline package for Node.js 8 or 10 from the official website (avoid the web-based installer). When installing, choose a custom path on a non-system drive (e.g., D:\nodejs) to bypass strict system folder permissions.

• Reset performance counters properly
  Your earlier attempt to disable performance counters didn't work—try resetting them entirely:

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Run this command to reset all performance counters:

     lodctr /r
     

  3. Restart your PC, then try installing Node.js again.

• Dig into detailed error logs
  If the above steps fail, check the Windows Event Viewer for more specific error details:

  1. Open Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Applications.
  2. Look for events tagged with "MsiInstaller"—these will include error codes (like 1603) that point to the root cause (e.g., missing system components, corrupted installer cache).

• Repair corrupted system files
  Run these commands in an elevated Command Prompt to fix potential system file corruption that might be blocking installation:

  sfc /scannow
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  

  Restart your PC once the scans complete, then retry the Node.js installation.

内容的提问来源于stack exchange，提问作者HeLlOwOrLd