Fix react-on-windows: remove dead links, fix step numbering, fix CRA reference, add prereqs

Author: GrantMeStrength

hub/dev-environment/javascript/react-on-windows.md

@@ -1,48 +1,72 @@
 ---
 title: Install React on Windows
-description: Install a React development environment on Windows.
+description: Install a React development environment directly on Windows using Vite and Node.js.
 ms.topic: install-set-up-deploy
-ms.date: 11/25/2024
+ms.date: 03/23/2026
 ---
 
 # Install React directly on Windows
 
+This guide walks through setting up a React development environment directly on Windows using the [Vite](https://vitejs.dev/) frontend tooling.
 
-This guide will walk through installing React directly on Windows using the [vite](https://vitejs.dev/) frontend tooling.
+We recommend these instructions if you are new to React or building a project that does not need a Linux environment. If you plan to use Bash tooling extensively or deploy to a Linux server, consider [installing React on WSL](./react-on-wsl.md) instead.
 
-We recommend following these instructions if you are new to React and just interested in learning. If you are creating a single-page app (SPA) that you would like to use Bash commands or tools with and/or plan to deploy to a Linux server, we recommend that you [install with vite on Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)](./react-on-wsl.md).
+For background on React and the different scenarios — web apps, mobile apps (React Native), and native desktop apps (React Native for Desktop) — see the [React overview](./react-overview.md).
 
-For more general information about React, deciding between React (web apps), React Native (mobile apps), and React Native for Desktop (desktop apps), see the [React overview](./react-overview.md).
+## Prerequisites
+
+- **[Node.js](./nodejs-on-windows.md)**: Required to run Vite and npm. Install using nvm-windows for easy version management.
 
 ## Create your React app
 
-To install Create React App:
+1. Open a terminal (Windows Command Prompt or PowerShell).
+
+2. Create a new project folder and enter it:
+
+    ```powershell
+    mkdir ReactProjects
+    cd ReactProjects
+    ```
 
-1. Open a terminal(Windows Command Prompt or PowerShell).
-2. Create a new project folder: `mkdir ReactProjects` and enter that directory: `cd ReactProjects`.
-3. Install React using vite :
+3. Create a new React app using Vite:
 
     ```powershell
     npm create vite@latest my-react-app -- --template react
     ```
 
-4. Once installed, change directories into your new app ("my-react-app" or whatever you've chosen to call it): `cd my-react-app`, install the dependencies: `npm install` and then start your local development server: `npm run dev`
+    Vite will scaffold a new React project in the `my-react-app` folder.
 
-    This command will start up the Node.js server and launch a new browser window displaying your app. You can use **Ctrl + c** to stop running the React app in your command line.
+4. Navigate into the new app folder and install dependencies:
 
-> [!NOTE]
-> Vite includes a frontend build pipeline using [Babel](https://babeljs.io/), [esbuild](https://esbuild.github.io/) and [Rollup](https://rollupjs.org/), but doesn't handle backend logic or databases. If you are seeking to build a server-rendered website with React that uses a Node.js backend, we recommend [installing Next.js](./nextjs-on-wsl.md), rather than this Vite installation, which is intended more for single-page apps(SPAs). You also may want to consider [installing Gatsby](./gatsby-on-wsl.md) if you want to build a static content-oriented website.
+    ```powershell
+    cd my-react-app
+    npm install
+    ```
 
-6. When you're ready to deploy your web app to production, running `npm run build` to  create a build of your app in the "dist" folder. You can learn more in the [Deploying a Static Site](https://vitejs.dev/guide/static-deploy.html).
+5. Start the local development server:
+
+    ```powershell
+    npm run dev
+    ```
+
+    Your app will be available at `http://localhost:5173`. Use **Ctrl+C** to stop the server.
+
+6. When you are ready to deploy, build a production bundle:
+
+    ```powershell
+    npm run build
+    ```
+
+    Output is placed in the `dist` folder. See [Deploying a Static Site](https://vitejs.dev/guide/static-deploy.html) for hosting options.
+
+> [!NOTE]
+> Vite is ideal for single-page apps (SPAs). If you need server-side rendering or a Node.js backend, consider [Next.js](https://nextjs.org/docs) instead. For static site generation, see [Gatsby](https://www.gatsbyjs.com/docs/).
 
 ## Additional resources
 
 - [React docs](https://react.dev)
-- [Vite](https://vitejs.dev/)
-- [Install Next.js](./nextjs-on-wsl.md)
-- [Install Gatsby](./gatsby-on-wsl.md)
-- [Install React Native for Desktop](https://microsoft.github.io/react-native-windows/docs/getting-started)
+- [Vite docs](https://vitejs.dev/)
+- [Using React in Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/nodejs/reactjs-tutorial)
+- [React learning path on Microsoft Learn](/training/paths/react/)
 - [Install NodeJS on Windows](./nodejs-on-windows.md)
-- [Install NodeJS on WSL](./nodejs-on-wsl.md)
-- Try the tutorial: [Using React in Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/nodejs/reactjs-tutorial)
-- Try the [React learning path](/training/paths/react/)
+- [React Native for Desktop (UWP/WPF)](https://microsoft.github.io/react-native-windows/docs/getting-started)