Set Up a Rust Dedicated Server on a Windows VPS

Hosting a Rust dedicated server on a Windows VPS allows you to run a persistent, customizable multiplayer world. This guide will walk you through installing, configuring, and optimizing a Rust server on your Windows Server VPS.

📌 Prerequisites

A Windows Server VPS (2016, 2019, or 2022) from VolticHost
Administrator access
At least 8GB RAM (16GB+ recommended for larger servers)
SteamCMD installed (for downloading and updating Rust server files)
Ports 28015 (UDP), 28016 (TCP), and 28082 (TCP) open in the firewall

1️⃣ Install and Set Up SteamCMD

Download SteamCMD from:
👉 https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD
Extract steamcmd.zip to C:\steamcmd.
Open Command Prompt (Admin) and navigate to the SteamCMD folder:
```
cd C:\steamcmd
```
Run SteamCMD:
```
steamcmd.exe
```
Log in as an anonymous user:
```
login anonymous
```
Set the installation directory for Rust:
```
force_install_dir C:\RustServer
```
Download the Rust server files:
```
app_update 258550 validate
```
Once complete, exit SteamCMD:
```
quit
```

✅ Rust server files are now installed!

2️⃣ Configure the Rust Server

Open File Explorer and navigate to:
```
C:\RustServer
```
Right-click inside the folder, select New → Text Document.
Name the file start_server.bat and open it in Notepad.

Paste the following script:

@echo off
cd /d C:\RustServer
RustDedicated.exe -batchmode -nographics ^
+server.port 28015 ^
+server.identity "my_server" ^
+server.seed 12345 ^
+server.worldsize 4000 ^
+server.hostname "YourRustServer" ^
+server.maxplayers 50 ^
+server.saveinterval 300 ^
+rcon.port 28016 ^
+rcon.password "YourRconPassword"

Replace YourRustServer and YourRconPassword with your custom settings.
Save and close the file.

✅ Your Rust server is now configured!

3️⃣ Open Rust Server Ports in Windows Firewall

Open Windows Defender Firewall (Win + R, type wf.msc, press Enter).
Click Advanced Settings → Inbound Rules → New Rule.
Select Port, then click Next.
Choose UDP, enter 28015, then click Next.
Select Allow the connection, then click Next again.
Apply to Domain, Private, and Public networks.
Name the rule Rust Server UDP Port and click Finish.

Repeat the process for TCP Ports 28016 and 28082.

✅ Your Rust server is now accessible online!

4️⃣ Start the Rust Server

Open Command Prompt (Admin).
Navigate to the Rust server folder:
```
cd C:\RustServer
```
Run the server using the batch script:
```
start_server.bat
```
Keep the window open while the server is running.

✅ Your Rust server is now online!

5️⃣ Connect to Your Rust Server

Find Your Public IP

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

ipconfig

Join the Server from Rust Client

Open Rust.
Press F1 to open the console.
Enter:
```
client.connect your-vps-ip:28015
```
Press Enter to join.

✅ Players can now join your Rust server!

6️⃣ Automate Server Startup (Optional)

To start the server automatically when Windows boots:

Open Task Scheduler (Win + R, type taskschd.msc, press Enter).
Click Create Basic Task (right panel).
Name it Start Rust Server → Click Next.
Select When the computer starts → Click Next.
Select Start a program → Click Next.
Browse to start_server.bat inside C:\RustServer.
Click Finish.

✅ Your Rust server will now start automatically on reboot!

🎉 Conclusion

You've successfully set up a Rust dedicated server on a Windows VPS! Your multiplayer survival world is now online, ready for friends and players. 🚀

For more assistance, contact VolticHost Support.