> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Icarus ServerSettings.ini Explained: Every Server Setting

> Icarus ServerSettings.ini explained: where the file goes, how to create it on FREAKHOSTING and what each server setting does, with defaults from RocketWerkz.

Icarus dedicated server settings live in `Icarus/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ServerSettings.ini`, under the section `[/Script/Icarus.DedicatedServerSettings]`. The file holds the join password, admin password, lobby rules, start-up prospect and idle timers. Icarus does not create it on the first start, so create it in **Files**, edit it with the server stopped and restart. The server name is set on **Startup**, not here.

| Fact | Value |
| - | - |
| Path | `/home/container/Icarus/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ServerSettings.ini` |
| Section | `[/Script/Icarus.DedicatedServerSettings]` |
| Created by | You, with **New file** in **Files** |
| Applied | At the next start |
| Not in this file | Server name (**Server Name** on **Startup**), difficulty (set per prospect) |

## How to create or edit ServerSettings.ini

**1. Stop the server**

Open your server in the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and click **Stop**.

**2. Open the folder**

Click **Files** and open `Icarus` > `Saved` > `Config` > `WindowsServer`. After the first start it holds only `GameUserSettings.ini`.

**3. Create or open the file**

If `ServerSettings.ini` is there, click it. If not, click **New file**, paste the template below, click **Create File**, enter `ServerSettings.ini` as the **File Name** and click **Create File**.

**4. Save and start**

Click **Save Content** after any change, then **Start**.

## The full ServerSettings.ini template

This is RocketWerkz's official template with all defaults:

```ini theme={null}
[/Script/Icarus.DedicatedServerSettings]
SessionName=
JoinPassword=
MaxPlayers=
AdminPassword=
ShutdownIfNotJoinedFor=300.000000
ShutdownIfEmptyFor=300.000000
AllowNonAdminsToLaunchProspects=True
AllowNonAdminsToDeleteProspects=False
LoadProspect=
CreateProspect=
ResumeProspect=True
LastProspectName=
```

## What each Icarus server setting does

| Key | Default | What it does |
| - | - | - |
| `SessionName` | empty | Does nothing on current versions. Set the name with **Server Name** on **Startup**. |
| `JoinPassword` | empty | Password players need to join. Empty means no password. See [set a password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/how-to-set-a-password-on-your-icarus-server.md). |
| `MaxPlayers` | empty | Players allowed at once. Leave it as it is: your player slots come from your plan, and you can [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) for more. |
| `AdminPassword` | empty | Password for `/AdminLogin`. If empty, anyone who uses `/AdminLogin` gets admin rights, so always set it. See [become admin](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/how-to-become-admin-on-your-icarus-server.md). |
| `ShutdownIfNotJoinedFor` | `300.000000` | Seconds the server waits for a first player after loading a prospect, paused. Then it returns to the lobby. Below 0 waits forever, 0 returns at once. |
| `ShutdownIfEmptyFor` | `300.000000` | Seconds the server waits after the last player leaves, paused, before it returns to the lobby. Below 0 waits forever, 0 returns at once. |
| `AllowNonAdminsToLaunchProspects` | `True` | `True`: anyone in the lobby can create or load a prospect. `False`: admin login needed. |
| `AllowNonAdminsToDeleteProspects` | `False` | `True`: anyone in the lobby can delete prospects. `False`: admin login needed. |
| `LoadProspect` | empty | Save name of a prospect to load at start-up, from `Icarus/Saved/PlayerData/DedicatedServer/Prospects/`. |
| `CreateProspect` | empty | Creates a new prospect at start-up: `<type> <difficulty 1-4> <hardcore true/false> <save name>`. See [prospect settings](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/icarus-configuring-prospect-settings.md). |
| `ResumeProspect` | `True` | Resumes the prospect in `LastProspectName` at start-up. See [resume prospects](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/resuming-prospects.md). |
| `LastProspectName` | empty | The last prospect the server ran. The server fills it in. |

## Good settings for a private server with friends

```ini theme={null}
JoinPassword=wolfpack2026
AdminPassword=Str0ng-Admin-Pass
ShutdownIfNotJoinedFor=-1
ShutdownIfEmptyFor=-1
AllowNonAdminsToLaunchProspects=False
ResumeProspect=True
```

With `-1` the prospect stays loaded when nobody is online, so players join straight into the world instead of the lobby.

## Frequently asked questions

### Where is ServerSettings.ini on an Icarus server?

In `Icarus/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/`. If it isn't there, create it. Icarus does not make it on the first start.

### Is there a difficulty setting in ServerSettings.ini?

No. Difficulty belongs to each prospect and is chosen when it is created. See [difficulty and hardcore](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/editing-difficulty-hardcore.md).

### Why are my changes not working?

The server reads the file when it starts. Stop the server, check the file name, folder and the section line at the top, click **Save Content** and start it again.

### What is GameUserSettings.ini for?

It is an engine settings file the server creates itself. Icarus server settings don't go there.

## Related guides

> [card] [Icarus server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/icarus-server-hosting-guide.md)
>
> Every Icarus page in one place.

> [card] [Getting started](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/getting-started-with-your-icarus-server.md)
>
> First start and joining.

> [card] [Prospect settings](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/icarus-configuring-prospect-settings.md)
>
> CreateProspect and LoadProspect.

> [card] [Stuck in the lobby](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/icarus-server-stuck-in-lobby.md)
>
> The idle timers in practice.

> [card] [File Manager](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md)
>
> Create and edit files.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 3 November 2026 (Icarus Dedicated Server), and checked against the official [RocketWerkz server config docs](https://github.com/RocketWerkz/IcarusDedicatedServer/wiki/Server-Config-&-Launch-Parameters) and [ServerSettings.ini template](https://github.com/RocketWerkz/IcarusDedicatedServer/blob/main/ServerSettings.ini). Steps may differ slightly if the game changes.

> [!NOTE]
>
> ### Need Extra Help?
>
> If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:
>
> * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
> * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
> * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
> * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** November 2026


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