Actually you are trying to perform command of ubuntu/mac on windows.

If you want to install NVM in windows then please refer this step by step guide.

Step by step guide

NVM For Windows

I think it's an issue in the bash subsystem. There are several open issues on github.com relating to installing nvm, rbenv, rvm, as well as creating symlinks.

These two issues appear to be directly related to the problem you're experiencing. https://github.com/Microsoft/BashOnWindows/issues/6 https://github.com/Microsoft/BashOnWindows/issues/9

Also, FYI, I have attempted to build node 4 and node 5 from source, but fail during the make command with this message:

/usr/bin/ld.gold: fatal error: /root/working/node-v5.10.1/out/Release/mksnapshot: Invalid argument collect2: error: ld returned 1 exit status

It looks like it's related to installing wget or curl with snap on Ubuntu:

https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm/issues/2504

Here's what fixed it for me:

sudo snap remove curl
sudo apt install curl
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.38.0/install.sh | bash
nvm install node

To install node and npm in Ubuntu on WSL you need to install nvm. It doesn't work with apt-install

1. Install NVM

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/master/install.sh | bash

2. Edit ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc depending on the Linux Shell you're using and add the following at the bottom

export NVM_DIR="/home/yourusername/.nvm" [ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"

Now restart bash, and then run

nvm install node

That will install the latest, if you wish to install a specific version

nvm install v6.11.5

You're all set.

Credit: https://winsmarts.com/how-to-install-node-on-linux-on-windows-wsl-65069ea5f83d

It looks like it is installed. All OP needs to do is restart the terminal.

In my case, I've installed nvm with this instead

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/master/install.sh | bash

Then restarted the terminal, and it is working.

Below will share the full process I've been through to install Node.js in WSL.

First of all, make sure one has WSL installed by following this. In this case OP already did that, so, just in case, would update the system's package

sudo apt-get update

Then, the following will install Node.js on WSL:

1. Install cURL (a tool used for downloading content from the internet in the command-line)

   sudo apt-get install curl
   

2. Install nvm (there are alternatives to nvm - see the first note below) (Source)

   curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/master/install.sh | bash
   

   Verify the installation with command -v nvm (it should output nvm)

   

   Check Node versions available with nvm ls.

3. Install Node.js.

   There are various options to do that. Here will only consider installing:

   a) Current stable version (recommended for PRD):

   nvm install --lts
   

   

   b) Current release:

   nvm install node
   

4. Check Node versions available

   nvm ls
   

   

5. Verify Node.js installation node --version (or node -v).

   

6. Verify npm installation with npm --version

   

Notes

• One might have to restart the terminal after each installation.
• Additional trouble shooting notes on Linux.
• There are alternatives to nvm, such as n, fnm,... (more about it)
• Using Git on WSL.
• Helpful VSCode extensions.
• One can also use Node.js with Docker containers remote on WSL. Read more about it.
• For more about it, read Microsoft's official documentation.