What’s the best Windows setup for Node.js development: WSL2, a VM, dual boot, or Linux?

All of these choices can work, but they solve different problems. A VM is isolated but uses more resources, dual boot gives Linux the most native performance but requires restarting, and a full Linux install is simplest if you no longer need Windows. Since gaming is important, keeping Windows and starting with WSL2 seems like the least disruptive choice.

Dev containers are another good option, especially if the project has several services or needs a specific runtime. They provide a reproducible environment while letting you keep Windows as your main operating system. On Windows, Docker Desktop generally uses WSL2 underneath.

For a Node.js project, running directly on Windows is also a reasonable option. You can use containers later when you need a consistent Linux-based environment for deployment. If you encounter Linux-specific tooling issues, WSL2 is a convenient middle ground and integrates well with editors such as VS Code.

WSL2 is probably the best starting point here. It gives you a Linux environment without rebooting or maintaining a full virtual machine, and it works well with Node.js, terminal tools, Git, and editor integrations. Keep your project files inside the WSL filesystem rather than on the mounted Windows drive for better performance.