The quick way is the app, which gets the right Java and the server files for you. If you'd rather do it by hand with java -jar and eula.txt, that's in the manual way further down. You'll want a PC with at least 4 GB of RAM either way.
Updated October 2026
If you've already got the PC, it costs nothing. You pick the mods, the plugins, the rules and who gets in. The world is a folder on your own drive, so you can copy it or take it somewhere else whenever you like. If you play on the same PC the server's on, there's no lag between you and it.
The catch is that the server's only up while your PC is on. Plenty of people only run theirs when they're playing anyway.
A server mostly needs RAM and a decent CPU. Roughly:
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10/11 |
| RAM | 4 GB total (2 GB for server) | 8+ GB total (4-6 GB for server) |
| CPU | Dual-core | Quad-core or better |
| Storage | 1 GB free | 10+ GB SSD |
| Internet | Any broadband | 10+ Mbps upload for remote players |
Modded servers need more RAM. Forge servers with large modpacks typically need 4-8 GB of RAM allocated to the server alone. Vanilla and Paper servers can run well with 2-4 GB.
The type decides what you can add to the server later, plugins, mods or nothing at all:
| Type | Best for | Mod/Plugin support |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla | Minecraft as it ships | None (datapacks only) |
| Paper | Performance + plugins | Bukkit/Spigot/Paper plugins |
| Purpur | Paper with more settings to tune, the same plugins | Bukkit/Spigot/Paper plugins |
| Spigot | Plugins with broad compatibility | Bukkit/Spigot plugins |
| Forge | Large modpacks, total conversion mods | Forge mods |
| Fabric | Lightweight mods, fast updates | Fabric mods |
| Quilt | A Fabric fork that runs Fabric mods and its own | Fabric and Quilt mods |
| NeoForge | Newer alternative to Forge, growing mod support | NeoForge mods |
Not sure? Start with Paper if you want plugins (like economy, minigames, or anti-cheat), or Vanilla if you just want a simple server for friends.
Got a jar of your own? Pick Custom jar in the app and point it at the file. The app copies the jar into the new server's folder, reads the Minecraft version and the Java it needs off the jar itself and runs it as it is. It won't guess whether the jar takes mods or plugins, so those tabs stay hidden and you manage that folder from the Files tab.
This is how MC Server Manager does it. It finds or downloads the Java your version needs, fetches the server jar and accepts the EULA for you, so you never open a command prompt.
Get MC Server Manager from the Microsoft Store or download directly from this site. The Lite version is free.
The app will download the server files and set everything up automatically. If you don't have the right version of Java, it'll offer to download that too.
Done! which means the server is readyYour server is running. Connect in Minecraft using the address localhost (if playing on the same PC) or your local IP (if playing from another device on the same network).
If you prefer to set things up yourself, here's how to create a Vanilla server manually:
Minecraft servers require Java. Download and install the version that matches your Minecraft version:
You can verify Java is installed by opening a command prompt and typing:
java -version
Download server.jar from the official Minecraft website. For other server types, download from their respective sites (PaperMC, PurpurMC, SpigotMC, Forge, Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge).
C:\MinecraftServer)server.jar into this folderOpen a command prompt in the server folder and run:
java -Xmx4G -Xms4G -jar server.jar nogui
This allocates 4 GB of RAM to the server. Adjust the numbers based on your available memory.
The first run will fail and create an eula.txt file. Open it and change eula=false to eula=true, then run the command again.
The EULA: By changing this to true, you agree to the Minecraft End User License Agreement. MC Server Manager handles this step automatically.
Once you see Done! For help, type "help" in the console, your server is ready. Type stop in the console to shut it down gracefully.
Server settings are stored in the server.properties file in your server folder. You can edit this with any text editor (or use MC Server Manager's built-in properties editor). Here are the most important settings:
| Property | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
server-port | 25565 | The port players connect on |
gamemode | survival | survival, creative, adventure, or spectator |
difficulty | easy | peaceful, easy, normal, or hard |
max-players | 20 | Maximum number of players allowed |
motd | A Minecraft Server | Message shown in the server list |
white-list | false | Only allow approved players to join |
online-mode | true | Verify players own Minecraft (keep this true) |
pvp | true | Allow player vs player combat |
spawn-protection | 16 | Radius around spawn where only ops can build |
view-distance | 10 | How far players can see (lower = better performance) |
Restart required. Most property changes require a server restart to take effect. In MC Server Manager, just click Stop then Start (or use the Restart button).
localhostipconfig in command prompt, look for the IPv4 address, e.g. 192.168.1.100)192.168.1.100)192.168.1.100:25566)MC Server Manager shows both addresses. Your LAN IP and public IP are displayed in the server details panel, ready to copy and share.
By default, your server is only accessible on your local network. To let friends join over the internet, you need to open your server port:
MC Server Manager can automatically open your server port on your router via UPnP, no manual configuration needed. Just enable it in the app and share your public IP with friends. Most home routers have it turned on already.
If your router doesn't support UPnP, you can manually forward your server port. This tells your router to send incoming Minecraft traffic to your PC. See our detailed port forwarding guide for step-by-step instructions.
If your internet uses CGNAT (most mobile, 4G/5G, Starlink and many UK ISPs do), port forwarding and UPnP both stop working at the router level. A relay gives your server an address that works on any connection, with no router setup at all. Free for you and three friends, set up from your account page, then Starter or Plus from £1.50 a month when more people turn up.
Remote server management: MC Server Manager also has a web dashboard, so you can monitor and control your server from any browser or your phone. The app keeps one outbound connection to our servers and the dashboard talks through that, so no extra ports are opened and your IP stays private. This is for server administration, not for players to connect.
Plugins add features to your server without requiring players to install anything. Popular plugins include EssentialsX (commands and utilities), WorldEdit (building tools) and LuckPerms (permissions).
With MC Server Manager: Use the built-in browser, which searches CurseForge and Modrinth together, to install and update plugins from the app. Only builds for your server's version are offered and dependencies are detected automatically.
Manually: Download plugin .jar files and place them in your server's plugins folder, then restart the server.
Mods add blocks, dimensions and whole new mechanics. Unlike plugins, all players need to install the same mods on their Minecraft client.
With MC Server Manager: Browse and install mods from CurseForge and Modrinth in the app, then build a pack for your friends with the Modpack Builder so they install the same ones with one click. A server resource pack is hosted from the Datapacks tab, a zip in your cloud storage or a URL of your own, with the checksum filled in for you.
Manually: Download mod .jar files and place them in your server's mods folder, then restart the server.
Compatibility matters. Make sure mods and plugins match your server's Minecraft version. Mixing incompatible versions is the most common cause of server crashes.
A crash or a power cut at the wrong moment can corrupt a world, so keep copies. MC Server Manager can back up every time you stop the server and keeps as many as you tell it to, five unless you change it, with a copy in cloud storage if you have some.
Manually: Copy your server's world folder (and world_nether / world_the_end if they exist) to a safe location regularly.
Keep an eye on TPS (ticks per second). A healthy server runs at 20 TPS. If it drops below 15, players will notice lag. MC Server Manager shows real-time TPS, CPU and RAM usage in the resource monitor, both in the app and on the web dashboard.
Restarting your server periodically helps clear memory leaks and keeps performance consistent. MC Server Manager lets you set up automatic restarts on an interval, at a specific time of day, or when the server is empty, with in-game warnings first. The Schedule tab also runs tasks: a command, a message to players, a backup, a restart or a notification to Discord, every so often, at set times, on a cron line, or when something happens, like the server starting, a player joining or TPS dropping. Sleep when empty stops a quiet server and wakes it for the first player to join. After a crash you pick whether it stays down or restarts.
Running a server on your own PC is free, you just need a computer and internet connection. Paid hosting usually starts around £5 to £10 a month. MC Server Manager lets you use your own hardware with a free Lite version or a one-time £1.99 Standard licence.
Yes. You'll need enough RAM for both. Minecraft the game uses about 2-4 GB and the server needs 2-4 GB on top of that. A PC with 8 GB of RAM can handle a small server alongside the game. 16 GB or more is recommended for comfortable performance.
This depends on your hardware and server type. A typical home PC can handle 5 to 10 players on Vanilla, or more with Paper's optimisations. Modded servers with large modpacks may struggle above 5 to 8 players. Monitor your TPS to find your server's limits.
Your server is only available while your PC is running. If you want 24/7 uptime, you'll need to keep the computer on, or use a dedicated hosting service. Many people just run their server when they're playing.
Yes, with one thing to know: port forwarding gives out your public IP. Use a whitelist to control who can join, keep your server software updated and only share your IP with people you trust. A relay hides your real IP if you'd rather not share it at all.
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