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To host a game server on a Windows VPS, download SteamCMD from Valve, unzip it to C:\steamcmd, and install the server with steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\GameServers\mygame +login anonymous +app_update <app_id> validate +quit. Then allow the game’s ports in Windows Defender Firewall, start the server with its own start script, and add a scheduled task so it starts again after every reboot.

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Before you start

  • Sign in as an administrator with Remote Desktop.
  • Look up three things in the game’s official dedicated server guide: the SteamCMD app ID of the dedicated server, its ports (and whether they are UDP or TCP), and the start command or script. Valve also keeps a list of dedicated server app IDs on the Valve Developer Community wiki.
  • Check the game supports Windows Server. Some dedicated servers list only Windows 10/11 or only Linux.
  • Have enough disk space for the server files plus updates (check with Get-Volume).
The example below uses Valheim, whose official guide gives the start script start_headless_server.bat and the default ports 2456-2457 (Valheim dedicated server guide). Replace the app ID, folder, ports and start command with your game’s.

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How to install SteamCMD on Windows

SteamCMD is Valve’s command-line Steam client for downloading and updating dedicated servers. Open PowerShell as administrator (select Start, type PowerShell, right-click Windows PowerShell and choose Run as administrator) and run:
The download URL is the one Valve publishes (SteamCMD on the Valve Developer Community). On first run SteamCMD updates itself; +quit closes it when it’s done.

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How to download the game server with SteamCMD

Run the same command again whenever the game releases an update.

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How to open the game’s ports in Windows Firewall

Windows Defender Firewall blocks incoming connections that no rule allows. Add rules for your game’s ports. Valheim’s guide gives the range 2456-2457 but not the protocol, so this example allows both UDP and TCP:
If your game’s guide names only UDP or only TCP, create just that rule. If you filter traffic in the Firewall panel, allow the same ports there; for UDP game traffic you may also want a DDoS filter that matches your game.
Only open the ports the game needs. Don’t turn Windows Firewall off to “make it work”: that exposes Remote Desktop and every other service on the server.

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How to start the server

Most games ship a start script or document a command line. Edit it before the first start to set the name, world and password. For Valheim, open C:\GameServers\valheim\start_headless_server.bat in Notepad and set -name, -world, -password and -port, then run it:
Leave the window open while the server runs. Closing it stops the server.

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How to start the game server automatically after a reboot

A scheduled task can start the server when Windows starts, without anyone signing in. Run it as a separate, non-administrator user so a game exploit can’t take over the whole server.
1

Create a user for the game server

2

Give it access to the server folder

M (modify) lets it write saves and logs in that folder only.
3

Create the task

By default Task Scheduler stops a task after 72 hours; a time limit of zero lets the server run indefinitely (Microsoft Learn).
4

Test it

State shows Running. Then restart the server with Restart-Computer and check that it comes back on its own.
To stop it: Stop-ScheduledTask -TaskName "Valheim server".

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How to check it worked

  • On the server, check the game is listening: Get-NetUDPEndpoint -LocalPort 2456 for UDP, or Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 2456 -State Listen for TCP. An entry means the port is in use by the game.
  • From your own computer, connect in the game with 203.0.113.10:2456 (your server’s IP and game port).
  • If players can’t connect, see check if a port is open from outside. UDP ports can’t be tested like TCP ports, so joining from the game is the real test.

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Frequently asked questions

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Windows or Linux for a game server?

Use whatever the game’s developer supports best. Many dedicated servers run on both; on Linux you can use LinuxGSM. Choose Windows when the server is Windows-only or your mods or tools need it.

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How do I update the game server?

Stop the server, run the same steamcmd ... +app_update <app_id> validate +quit command, and start it again.

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SteamCMD can’t log in or downloads nothing. What now?

Check the app ID, that +force_install_dir comes before +login, and whether the game requires a real Steam account instead of anonymous. Also check the server has free disk space.

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How much RAM does a game server need?

It depends on the game, player count and mods. Check the game’s official requirements and watch usage under load with Task Manager or monitor Windows Server performance.

VPS and dedicated server guides

Every guide in this section.

Open a port in Windows Firewall

Inbound rules explained.

Monitor Windows Server performance

CPU, RAM and network under load.

Host game servers with LinuxGSM

The Linux alternative.

Apply DDoS filters

Protect UDP game traffic.
Checked against SteamCMD on the Valve Developer Community, the Valheim dedicated server guide and Microsoft Learn (New-NetFirewallRule, Register-ScheduledTask, task execution time limit) on 4 November 2026. Not tested on a live Windows server for this page; every game’s app ID, ports and start options differ.

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Last Updated: November 2026