Windrose Dedicated Server Guide: Install, Invite Code and Direct IP

What the Windrose dedicated server actually is

The dedicated server is a separate download from the game. On Steam it is listed as a free Tool, not a game, and it has its own app ID (4129620; the game itself is 3041230). It keeps a world running on a machine of your choice so your crew can log in at any time, instead of everyone depending on one player's PC being online.

The Steam store page describes Windrose as playable solo offline or in co-op, with up to 8 players and both self-hosted and dedicated servers available. The developers recommend parties of up to 4 for the best experience, especially in the late game. The server's own cap is the MaxPlayerCount setting in its config file.

How to install the Windrose dedicated server

There are three supported routes in the official guide. Pick the one that matches where you bought the game and how you plan to run the server.

1. Steam (simplest)

   Open your Steam library, set the filter to Tools, and install Windrose Dedicated Server. Right-click it, choose Manage, then Browse Local Files to open the folder.

2. SteamCMD (for a VPS or dedicated box)

   Set an install directory, log in anonymously, and pull app 4129620. Re-run the same app_update line whenever the game updates.

   Copy

   force_install_dir C:\WindroseServer
   login anonymous
   app_update 4129620 validate
   quit

3. Epic Games Store or Stove

   Copy the server folder from your in-game files (the guide points to R5\Builds) to a location outside the game folder.

4. Docker (optional)

   The guide documents the image windroseserver/windroseserver:latest, with port 7777 mapped for both TCP and UDP and your Saved folder and ServerDescription.json mounted into the container. In that setup UseDirectConnection is set to true.

How to start the server and find your invite code

Two launchers ship in the server folder. StartServerForeground.bat is the recommended one because it opens a console window that shows the logs; closing the window stops the server. WindroseServer.exe runs as a background process, and you stop it from Task Manager.

On first launch the server creates its default config files. The official guide suggests starting it once, stopping it, and then editing. When it is running you can read the invite code two ways:

• In the console output printed at startup.
• In R5\ServerDescription.json, in the InviteCode field.

The invite code is letters and digits only, at least 6 characters, and case-sensitive. A wrong capital letter is enough to make the lookup fail, so copy it rather than retyping.

How players join: invite code or direct IP

Windrose has two connection modes, selected by one key in ServerDescription.json.

For a LAN game you only need the machine's local IP (run ipconfig to find it) and the port. Over the internet, the host needs a public IP and must forward the chosen port, TCP and UDP, to the server machine. If direct IP will not connect, the guide suggests trying a different port, for example 17777 or 27890, and keeping it below 65000.

If you are on the Docker setup and testing from the same machine, the guide says to connect to 127.0.0.1:7777.

Hardware requirements from the official FAQ

The developers list requirements by player count. They are written for the dedicated server running on its own machine.

If you host from the same PC you play on, the guide says the game client wants at least 16 GB of RAM and the server needs roughly 8 GB on top (24 GB total is recommended), with an SSD strongly advised. That requirement is the main practical reason people move to a dedicated machine once a group grows.

Windrose server not connecting: what to check

Work through these in order. They come from the official guide's warnings and troubleshooting notes.

1. Match versions. Update the server with the same Steam or SteamCMD route you used to install it, and make sure the client is on the same build.
2. Wait for full startup. Do not try to connect until the server has fully started.
3. Check the code. It is case-sensitive. Copy it from ServerDescription.json rather than retyping it.
4. Allow the executable. Add a firewall or antivirus exception for WindroseServer.exe if it fails to start or crashes on launch.
5. Rule out VPNs and proxies. Temporarily disable them; the guide lists them as a cause of failed connections.
6. For direct IP, confirm UseDirectConnection is true, the port is open for TCP and UDP, and the server was restarted after you changed the file.

Skipping the home-hosting setup

Everything above assumes you are running the server on a PC you manage, including router and firewall rules. Hosting with ChicagoServers? The Windrose server hosting page lists what is included, such as free server backups and SFTP file access.

Frequently asked questions