About This Guide: This tutorial covers installing OpenClaw on Windows 10 and Windows 11 in 2026. You'll learn how to set up Node.js, install OpenClaw via npm, configure your AI agent, and run it as a background service. Estimated time: 20–35 minutes.
OpenClaw is a cutting-edge open-source AI agent platform that lets you run a personal automation assistant directly on your Windows PC. Unlike SaaS tools that lock your data in the cloud, OpenClaw gives you full ownership — your conversations, workflows, and integrations all stay local or on infrastructure you control.
In 2026, OpenClaw has become one of the most popular self-hosted AI tools, supporting WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and Slack as messaging frontends, and connecting to AI providers including OpenAI GPT-4, Anthropic Claude, and Google Gemini. This guide is the most thorough Windows installation walkthrough available — covering everything from prerequisite installs to production-ready configuration.
Windows System Requirements
Minimum Requirements
- OS: Windows 10 (v1903+) or Windows 11
- CPU: Any x64 processor (2 cores+)
- RAM: 4 GB minimum
- Storage: 3 GB free disk space
- Node.js: v18.0 or higher
Recommended Setup
- OS: Windows 11 22H2 or newer
- CPU: 4+ cores (Intel i5/AMD Ryzen 5)
- RAM: 8–16 GB for parallel agents
- Storage: SSD with 10+ GB free
- Network: 1000Mbps connection (VPN07)
Network Stability Matters for OpenClaw
OpenClaw makes constant API calls to AI providers (OpenAI, Anthropic) and connects to messaging platforms. Unstable connections or ISP throttling will cause timeouts and degraded performance. Running OpenClaw through VPN07's 1000Mbps dedicated channels eliminates these issues completely — your agent stays responsive 24/7.
Step 1: Install Node.js on Windows
OpenClaw is built on Node.js. You must install Node.js v18 or higher before proceeding. There are two easy methods:
A Method A: Official Installer (Easiest)
- 1. Go to
nodejs.org/en/downloadin your browser - 2. Download the Windows Installer (.msi) — LTS version (v20.x recommended)
- 3. Run the installer and click Next through all defaults. Make sure "Add to PATH" is checked
- 4. Restart your terminal (or PowerShell) after installation
B Method B: winget (Windows Package Manager)
Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:
winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS
winget is pre-installed on Windows 11. For Windows 10, update from the Microsoft Store.
Verify Node.js Installation
Open PowerShell or Command Prompt and run:
node --version
npm --version
Expected output: v20.11.0 and 10.2.4 (or newer). If you see these, Node.js is ready.
Step 2: Install Git for Windows
Git is recommended for keeping OpenClaw up to date. Install it via winget or the official installer:
# Via winget (recommended)
winget install Git.Git
# Verify
git --version
Alternatively, download Git from git-scm.com. During installation, choose "Use Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software" when prompted.
Pro Tip: Use Windows Terminal
Install Windows Terminal from the Microsoft Store for a much better command-line experience. It supports tabs, PowerShell, CMD, and WSL in one app — perfect for managing OpenClaw.
Step 3: Install OpenClaw via NPM
Now install OpenClaw itself. Open PowerShell (no need to run as admin) and choose your method:
Recommended: Quick Start with npx
npx openclaw init my-agent
cd my-agent
This automatically downloads and runs the OpenClaw setup wizard. Answer the prompts to configure your AI provider and messaging platform.
Alternative: Global Install + Manual Setup
npm install -g openclaw
openclaw init my-agent
cd my-agent
Global install lets you use the openclaw command from anywhere on your system.
Developer Method: Clone from GitHub
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git my-agent
cd my-agent
npm install
npm run setup
Use this method if you want to contribute to OpenClaw or need cutting-edge unreleased features.
Setup Wizard Walkthrough
sk- for OpenAI.Step 4: Configure the .env File
After setup, OpenClaw creates a .env file in your project folder. Open it with Notepad or VS Code and verify your settings:
Typical Windows .env Configuration
# AI Provider
OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-proj-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
AI_MODEL=gpt-4-turbo
# Messaging Platform
MESSAGING_PLATFORM=whatsapp
PHONE_NUMBER=+1234567890
# Performance
ENABLE_MEMORY=true
AUTO_UPDATE=true
LOG_LEVEL=info
# Windows-specific path (use forward slashes or double backslashes)
DATA_DIR=C:/Users/YourName/openclaw-data
Security Warning
Never commit your .env file to GitHub. Add .env to your .gitignore immediately.
Windows Path Tip
Windows paths must use forward slashes (C:/Users/...) or escaped backslashes (C:\\Users\\...) in .env files.
Step 5: Configure Windows Firewall
Windows Firewall may block OpenClaw from connecting to external services. When prompted, allow access on both private and public networks. To add a manual rule:
# Run PowerShell as Administrator
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "OpenClaw Agent" -Direction Outbound -Program "C:\Program Files\nodejs\node.exe" -Action Allow
# Or allow the specific port OpenClaw uses (default: 3000)
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "OpenClaw Port 3000" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 3000 -Action Allow
If you don't need external webhook access, you can skip the inbound rule. The outbound rule is essential for API connectivity.
Windows Defender & Antivirus
Windows Defender may flag OpenClaw's network activity as suspicious. Add an exclusion for your OpenClaw folder: Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Add an exclusion → select your my-agent folder.
Step 6: Launch OpenClaw
Start Your AI Agent
cd my-agent
npm start
You should see output similar to:
✓ Environment loaded
✓ Connected to OpenAI API (GPT-4-turbo)
✓ WhatsApp integration active
✓ Memory module initialized
→ Agent ready. Send "hello" to get started.
Your agent is running! Open WhatsApp and send a message to the connected number.
Run as Windows Background Service with PM2
For 24/7 operation without keeping a terminal open, use PM2 process manager:
# Install PM2 globally
npm install -g pm2
# Start OpenClaw with PM2
cd my-agent
pm2 start npm --name "openclaw" -- start
# Enable auto-start on Windows boot
pm2 startup
pm2 save
# Monitor your agent
pm2 status
pm2 logs openclaw
PM2 automatically restarts OpenClaw if it crashes, and keeps it running after Windows reboots.
Step 7: Test Your Installation
Basic Connectivity Test
Send: hello
Expected: Agent responds with a greeting and lists available commands.
Memory Persistence Test
Send: My name is Alex then restart OpenClaw and send: What is my name?
Expected: Agent remembers "Alex" even after restart.
API Speed Test
Send: Explain quantum computing in 3 sentences
Expected: Response in under 3 seconds on a 1000Mbps connection with VPN07.
Windows Performance Benchmarks
Common Windows Errors & Fixes
Error: "npm is not recognized"
Cause: Node.js PATH variable not set correctly
Fix: Restart your terminal/PC after Node.js install. Or manually add C:\Program Files\nodejs\ to your System PATH via Control Panel → System → Advanced → Environment Variables.
Error: "EACCES: permission denied"
Cause: Insufficient permissions for global npm install
Fix: Run PowerShell as Administrator, or configure npm to use a user-level directory:
npm config set prefix "$HOME\AppData\Roaming\npm"
Error: "Connection timeout" / Slow API responses
Cause: ISP throttling, geo-blocking, or corporate firewall
Fix: Use VPN07 — its 1000Mbps channels have optimized routing to OpenAI and Anthropic endpoints. Most timeout issues disappear immediately after connecting to VPN07.
Error: "Execution Policy" blocks scripts
Cause: Windows PowerShell default policy blocks npm scripts
Fix:
Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned
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Read More →Supercharge OpenClaw with VPN07
OpenClaw runs at peak performance when your network is fast and stable. VPN07 delivers 1000Mbps dedicated bandwidth with servers in 70+ countries, eliminating API timeouts and ISP throttling issues that plague self-hosted AI agents. Trusted by professionals for 10 years — join thousands who power their OpenClaw deployments with VPN07.