[BUG] `npm i` tries to recreate root directory (drive letter) in Windows

Is there an existing issue for this?

• I have searched the existing issues

This issue exists in the latest npm version

• I am using the latest npm

Current Behavior

On Windows when you have a disk partition (W:\) specificly reserved for a package it doesn't detect where node_modules are.

Expected Behavior

npm install should install packages as expected

Steps To Reproduce

1. Create Windows disk partition and set drive letter to W
2. Go to cd W:\
3. Run npm install <any package>

Environment

• npm: 9.6.5
• Node.js: v19.9.0
• OS Name: Windows 10 Home Single Language (latest version date 5 May 2023)
• System Model Name: Omen HP 15-CE008NT
• npm config:

PS W:\> npm config get
; "builtin" config from C:\Users\eaksy\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\npm\npmrc

prefix = "C:\\Users\\eaksy\\AppData\\Roaming\\npm"

; node bin location = C:\Program Files (x86)\nodejs\node.exe
; node version = v19.9.0
; npm local prefix = W:\
; npm version = 9.6.5
; cwd = W:\
; HOME = C:\Users\eaksy
; Run `npm config ls -l` to show all defaults.

Note: Computer newly formatted, everything in fresh installation

Reproduce the issue on Windows from a W:\ drive root using npm 9.6.5 and a current Node.js version. Trace npm CLI handling of the local prefix and node_modules when the working directory is W:; done means npm install succeeds without trying to recreate the drive-letter root.