Fastest Way to Run a Rust Server on Windows [Quick Start]

This is the "just tell me what to do" version. No lengthy explanations — just the steps.

If you want the full walkthrough with detailed explanations, see the complete setup guide. This guide gets you from zero to running server as fast as possible.

Time estimate: ~10 minutes of actual work + however long the 10–20 GB download takes

What You Need

• Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
• 16 GB RAM minimum
• 25 GB free storage
• Internet connection

Step 1: Get SteamCMD

Download the Windows ZIP from https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD#Windows

Extract steamcmd.exe to C:\steamcmd\:

C:\steamcmd\
└── steamcmd.exe

Double-click steamcmd.exe. It updates itself automatically. Wait for the Steam> prompt.

Step 2: Download Rust Server Files

At the Steam> prompt, run these commands in order:

force_install_dir C:\rustserver\

login anonymous

app_update 258550 validate

exit

258550 is Rust's dedicated server App ID. The download is 10–20 GB — go make a coffee.

When it's done, verify RustDedicated.exe exists in C:\rustserver\.

Step 3: Create the Launch Script

Create C:\rustserver\start_server.bat. Open it in Notepad and paste:

@echo off
cd /d C:\rustserver\

RustDedicated.exe -batchmode -nographics ^
  +server.hostname "My Rust Server" ^
  +server.port 28015 ^
  +server.identity "server1" ^
  +server.maxplayers 10 ^
  +server.worldsize 3000 ^
  +server.seed 1234 ^
  +server.saveinterval 300 ^
  +rcon.port 28016 ^
  +rcon.password "yourpassword" ^
  +rcon.web 1

Quick customization guide:

Step 4: Start the Server

Double-click start_server.bat.

A console window opens with scrolling logs. First startup takes 10–20 minutes (map generation).

Wait for one of these messages:

Server startup complete

Saving complete. Saved XXXXX ents ...

Either one means you're ready.

Step 5: Connect

Launch Rust, press F1 to open console, type:

client.connect 127.0.0.1:28015

If you spawn as a naked on a fresh map, it worked.

Already connected to another server? Disconnect first, then run the connect command.

FAQ

How does saving work?

Auto-saves every 5 minutes with server.saveinterval 300. For a manual save, type server.save in the server console window.

How do friends join?

Forward UDP port 28015 on your router and give friends your public IP. Check your public IP at checkip.amazonaws.com. They connect with:

client.connect YOUR_PUBLIC_IP:28015

Console window closes instantly

Add pause at the end of the bat file to catch the error:

RustDedicated.exe -batchmode ...
pause

Server is laggy

Drop server.worldsize to 2000. With 16 GB RAM, 3000+ is pushing it, especially if you're also playing on the same machine.

How do I update the server after a Rust patch?

Run app_update 258550 validate in SteamCMD again. Or add the update step to the top of your batch file so it auto-updates on every start:

@echo off
"C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe" +force_install_dir "C:\rustserver" +login anonymous +app_update 258550 validate +quit

cd /d C:\rustserver\
RustDedicated.exe -batchmode -nographics ^
  +server.hostname "My Rust Server" ^
  +server.port 28015 ^
  +server.identity "server1" ^
  +server.maxplayers 10 ^
  +server.worldsize 3000 ^
  +server.seed 1234 ^
  +server.saveinterval 300 ^
  +rcon.port 28016 ^
  +rcon.password "yourpassword" ^
  +rcon.web 1

This way the server always updates before starting.

Summary

The whole process in 4 steps:

1. Put SteamCMD in C:\steamcmd\ and launch it
2. Run app_update 258550 validate to download server files
3. Create and run start_server.bat
4. Connect via F1 console: client.connect 127.0.0.1:28015

That's it. Running a local server is free and gives you full control. If your hardware isn't up to it or you don't want to deal with port forwarding, a game server rental is a solid alternative.

Want to add mods? Check out the Oxide/uMod setup guide.