Bug Report: OpenClaw v2026.2.21-2 installation fails on Windows

🐛 Bug Description

Cannot install OpenClaw v2026.2.21-2 on Windows using npm global install. The installation process hangs indefinitely without completing.

📋 Environment

• OS: Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 10.0.19045)
• Node.js: v25.2.1
• npm: 11.6.2
• OpenClaw Current Version: 2026.2.19-2
• OpenClaw Target Version: 2026.2.21-2
• Package Manager: npm

🔍 Steps to Reproduce

1. Run: npm i -g openclaw@latest
   or npm i -g openclaw@2026.2.21-2

2. Observe the installation process:

   • npm displays deprecation warnings (expected)
   • Installation hangs indefinitely
   • No completion or error message

3. Wait for extended period (> 2 minutes):

   • Installation does not complete
   • openclaw command becomes unavailable

💻 Command Output

npm i -g openclaw@2026.2.21-2

Output observed:

npm warn deprecated inflight@1.0.6: This module is not supported, and leaks memory...
npm warn deprecated npmlog@5.0.1: This package is no longer supported.
npm warn deprecated rimraf@3.0.2: Rimraf versions prior to v4 are no longer supported
npm warn deprecated glob@7.2.3: Old versions of glob are not supported...
[npm appears to hang here - no further output]

⚠️ Expected Behavior

Installation should complete successfully and openclaw command should be available.

❌ Actual Behavior

• Installation process hangs
• Command becomes unavailable after failed installation attempt
• No clear error message displayed

📊 Additional Notes

Previous Version Works

• Version 2026.2.19-2 installs and runs correctly
• Gateway operates normally on port 18789

Update Command Behavior

openclaw update

Output:

Update Result: SKIPPED
  Root: C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\openclaw
  Reason: not-git-install
  Before: 2026.2.19-2

Attempted Workarounds

1. npm i -g openclaw@latest - Hangs
2. npm i -g openclaw@2026.2.21-2 - Hangs (with --force option tried)
3. Setting $env:NODE_OPTIONS="--max-old-space-size=4096" - Still hangs

System Config

• Install Path: C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Roaming\npm
• Gateway Running: Yes (port 18789)
• Gateway Status: Normal

🔧 Suggested Priority

High - Prevents users on Windows from upgrading to the latest version.

💡 Possible Root Causes

1. Post-install scripts may be hanging
2. Windows-specific path resolution issues
3. Dependency incompatibility with Node.js v25.2.1
4. Build issues with Windows-specific binaries

📎 Additional Resources

• Current working version: 2026.2.19-2 (functional)
• System: Windows 10 Enterprise x64
• Installation attempt date: 2026-02-22
• Previous installation method: npm global install (successful)

Reported by: Automated bug report via OpenClaw
Contact: GitHub issue submission