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Set Up a Windows VPS as a Game Server Host

Last updated on Feb 13, 2025

Hosting a game server on a Windows VPS allows you to run multiplayer games for friends, communities, or businesses. This guide will walk you through setting up and optimizing a Windows VPS for game server hosting.

📌 Prerequisites

  • A Windows Server VPS (2016, 2019, or 2022) from VolticHost

  • Administrator access

  • Game server files (SteamCMD, FiveM, Minecraft, ARK, etc.)

  • At least 4GB RAM (8GB+ recommended for larger servers)

1️⃣ Optimize Windows Server for Game Hosting

Disable Power Saving Mode

  1. Open Control Panel → Power Options.

  2. Select High Performance.

  3. Click Change Plan Settings → Never for sleep settings.

Enable High Network Performance

  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).

  2. Run the following command to disable network throttling:

    reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Multimedia\SystemProfile /v NetworkThrottlingIndex /t REG_DWORD /d 4294967295 /f

  3. Restart your VPS to apply changes.

✅ Your VPS is now optimized for gaming!

2️⃣ Install and Configure SteamCMD (For Steam-Based Servers)

Many game servers (CS:GO, ARK, Rust, etc.) require SteamCMD to install and update game files.

Install SteamCMD

  1. Download SteamCMD from:
    👉 https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD

  2. Extract steamcmd.zip to C:\steamcmd.

  3. Open Command Prompt (Admin) and navigate to the folder:

    cd C:\steamcmd

  4. Run SteamCMD:

    steamcmd.exe

✅ SteamCMD is now installed!

3️⃣ Download and Set Up a Game Server

Example: Installing a CS:GO Server

  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).

  2. Navigate to SteamCMD:

    cd C:\steamcmd

  3. Login to Steam (use anonymous for most games):

    steamcmd +login anonymous

  4. Install CS:GO Dedicated Server:

    app_update 740 validate

  5. Exit SteamCMD:

    quit

  6. Run the server using:

    srcds.exe -game csgo -console -usercon +map de_dust2 +maxplayers 16

✅ Your game server is now running!

4️⃣ Open Game Server Ports in Windows Firewall

  1. Open Windows Defender Firewall (Win + R, type wf.msc, press Enter).

  2. Click Advanced Settings → Inbound Rules → New Rule.

  3. Select Port, click Next.

  4. Choose UDP, enter game-specific ports (Example: 27015-27016 for CS:GO).

  5. Click Next, select Allow the connection, then Next again.

  6. Apply to Domain, Private, and Public networks.

  7. Name the rule CS:GO Server Ports and click Finish.

Repeat this process for TCP ports if required by your game.

✅ Your game server is now accessible online!

5️⃣ Connect and Manage Your Game Server

Find Your Public IP

To share your server with others, find your VPS public IP address:

ipconfig

Connect to the Server (For Players)

  • Steam Games: Open Find Server → Enter the VPS IP:Port.

  • Minecraft: Use Add Server and enter VPS IP.

  • FiveM: Open the F8 Console → Type:

    connect your-vps-ip:30120

✅ Players can now join your game server!

6️⃣ Automate Server Startup (Optional)

To start the server automatically when Windows boots:

  1. Open Task Scheduler (Win + R, type taskschd.msc, press Enter).

  2. Click Create Basic Task (right panel).

  3. Name it Start Game Server → Click Next.

  4. Select When the computer starts → Click Next.

  5. Select Start a program → Click Next.

  6. Browse for the game server executable (e.g., srcds.exe).

  7. In Add arguments, enter:

    -game csgo -console -usercon +map de_dust2 +maxplayers 16

  8. Click Finish.

✅ Your game server will now start on boot!

🎉 Conclusion

You've successfully set up a Windows VPS as a game server host! Whether you're hosting CS:GO, FiveM, Minecraft, or ARK, your server is now optimized, secured, and automated. 🚀

For more assistance, contact VolticHost Support.