How To Easily Build Rust Server In Windows For Free In 2024

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn how to easily build a Rust server for free on Windows. This tutorial aims to provide you with basic information about how the Rust server operates in 2024. You can employ this knowledge for various purposes, including self-hosting, using a VPS for hosting, or even testing custom maps, and more. Additionally, you will also receive the auto Rust server update script.

Throughout this tutorial, I've used the 'C' local drive to store my server files, while employing SteamCMD since it is on an M.2 NVME Drive. Check out the recommendations section for more information, such as system requirements, etc.

If you're interested in starting your own Rust server and want to attract players to join, be sure to check out our Top 7 Cheap and High Performance Rust Game Hosting Providers article.

Prerequisites for Rust Server

Here's what you need to host the server:

• Minimum of 2 vCores Processor (3.7 GHZ+)
• At least 8 GB of RAM
• 8 to 12 GB of Storage
• Stable Internet Connection

Recommendations:

For an optimal experience, it's highly recommended to follow these guidelines

• If you intend to build and play Rust on the same machine at the same time, you'll require 16 GB of RAM to comfortably run both the game and Rust server.

• If you are using "Procedural" Map type, then starting the server after wipe can take 15-20 minutes to come online.

• The Rust server typically takes 6 to 10 minutes to come online if it's built on a Hard Drive.

• Using an SSD reduces the server startup time to 2 to 3 minutes.

• With an M.2 NVME SSD boasting 3300 Read speed, the server can start within 1 to 2 minutes.

The script is designed to help you in setting up a vanilla Rust server. Later, you can add Oxide to convert it into a modded server for enhanced gameplay. Adding plugins to customize the server is not the part of this tutorial.

Steps to create the rust server

We will follow these steps to setup the server without any issue:

• Download SteamCMD
• Download Rust Server
• Update Rust Server (Optional)
• Rust Starter Script Explained
• Rust Server Types (Optional)
• Connect To The Rust Server

Step 1 — Download SteamCMD

The initial step you need to take is to download SteamCMD. But what exactly is SteamCMD? SteamCMD is software that you will use to download game server files or update it. You can make use of the link provided below or simply click the Download option.

• Create a folder named "steamcmd" on your C: Local Drive or in any location where you prefer to store all the necessary files.
• Move or download SteamCMD into the "steamcmd" folder you have just created.

Unzip the downloaded file, run the Steamcmd.exe executable. This will automatically initiate the download of all the required files it needs. You can close it after all SteamCMD files have been downloaded.

Step 2 — Download Rust Server

Now, let's download the Rust server files. The provided bat script is located at the bottom of this section. You can directly copy it from here. Just a reminder, the "C" at the beginning of this script represents the C Local Drive. In my case, I utilize an M.2 NVME drive for faster loading. You can modify it to use different drive.

This script is designed to automatically update the server and download all the necessary files. Remember, if you are using Oxide, you will need to download the server update first and then download Oxide. When simply updating the server, you can utilize the update script. Please refer to Setup 3 — Update Rust Server 

• Creating a folder named 'rust_server' on your C: Local Drive or on the preferred drive of your choice

• Create a file named "start_server.bat" Please note that ".bat" is the extension

echo off
:start
C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe ^
+force_install_dir c:\rust_server\ ^
+login anonymous ^
+app_update 258550 ^
+quit

RustDedicated.exe -batchmode ^
+server.port 28015 ^
+server.queryport 28016 ^
+server.level "Procedural Map" ^
+server.seed 123 ^
+server.worldsize 2000 ^
+server.maxplayers 50 ^
+server.hostname "Your_Server_name" ^
+server.description "Your_server_description" ^
+server.url "http://your_website_url" ^
+server.headerimage "http://your_server_header_image_url" ^
+server.identity "rust" ^
+rcon.port 28017 ^
+rcon.password "password" ^
+rcon.web 1
goto start

Step 3 — Update Rust Server (Optional)

As mentioned in the previous section, you should update the server before updating Oxide. To accomplish this, we'll use the following script. If you compare it to the starter script, you'll notice that the same update code is also provided at the beginning of the starter script. If you update Oxide first and then update the server, your plugins won't function properly, but don't fret, it won't damage your server.

Create a 'update_server.bat' file. and paste the following code in it

echo off
:start
C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe ^
+force_install_dir c:\rust_server\ ^
+login anonymous ^
+app_update 258550 ^
+quit

Step 4 — Rust Server Starter Script Explained

In this step, you will learn the purpose of a particular command within the batch file. You may come across other scripts on the internet that include additional commands. Below are the fundamental commands necessary to run the Rust server.

echo off with turn of command echoing feature. :start will mark the starting point.

echo off
:start


C is the local drive, 'steamcmd' is the folder name, and 'steamcmd.exe' is the file you downloaded in Step - 1

C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe ^

C is the local drive, and 'rust_server' is the folder where SteamCMD will download the Rust server files.

+force_install_dir c:\rust_server\ ^

While SteamCMD typically requires an account for login, you can use the 'anonymous' option to log in and download the Rust server.

+login anonymous ^

Using 'app_update 258550' will install the stable, current, and active version of Rust. Checkout Rust Server Types section to change your server type.

+app_update 258550 ^

It will exit the steamcmd

+quit

It will initiate the Rust server, with all the commands located right below this command. It also opens Unity in Non-GUI mode.

RustDedicated.exe -batchmode ^

This is the server connection port that players will use to connect to your Rust server over the internet.

+server.port 28015 ^

This is the port that allows players to bookmark your server, and it's important to include it in your script.

+server.queryport 28016 ^

This is the type of map that will be generated. Other options include 'Procedural Map,' 'Barren,' 'HapisIsland,' 'SavasIsland,' and 'SavasIsland_koth.' It is recommended to use 'Procedural Map' or 'Barren'.

+server.level "Procedural Map" ^

The server map size can remain the same, but if you want to change the map, you'll need to alter the seed. This number can be any value 0-2147483647

+server.seed 123 ^

You can adjust the map size using this command, with values ranging from 1000 to 6000 or any size in between, such as 3450 or 2340, 5877, 4890, depending on your preference.

+server.worldsize 2000 ^