The process of making a Minecraft server differs from one operating system to another. The process in windows differs significantly from the one used in UNIX and other O.Ss. Here we are looking at the process used in windows. While creating a server is not impossible, it does take a bit of technical know how. With a few simple steps and you will be on your way.



Well first and foremost, since the game uses java, make sure the machine has the latest version of java installed on it. Normally if you had an older version installed, it would give you an error message that will require you to uninstall and install the latest version of java. To do the next step you will need to use the CMD window otherwise known as the command prompt window.



The next step from here is to download the version of Minecraft you want to configure for your machine. First there are two versions in this case, the Minecraft server exe version and the Minecraft jar version. In the case of the exe version, you need to select and open the link of the file you downloaded from there the server will start the default configuration. In many cases, it may show messages indicating some failure in finding the files, which is typically normal as at this time, the file are being created, so do not panic.



If you are really so eager to know Mow to make a Minecraft server, then note the following; you need to open up a notepad from which you will create a text document completely unformatted. Remember, the kind of java you are running needs to be in tandem with the windows OS type of the machine you are using. For instance if 32 bit, then OS should be also 32 bit and so on.



Next on you need to copy paste this into a single line within your notepad text page; that is as enclosed with double quotations. ”C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin\javaw.exe” -Xmx2048M -Xms2048M -jar Minecraft_Server.exe “



The meaning of (“C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin\javaw.exe”) is that it marks the location of the most current version of javaw.exe file. In case java updates on the system to another more recent version, then you will also be required to update the notepad file as well. If for any reason you stored your java file in a different location, then you will be required to copy and paste that link exactly as it is on the file address bar.



The following part (-Xmx2048M -Xms2048M) is indicates the location of your RAM in megabytes MB. The default memory for Ram in most machines is about 256 MB, however, this can easily be upgraded to even 8 GB. You really need to note this if you want to know how to make a Minecraft server successfully.



Finally in studying how to make a Minecraft server in exe format is the renaming of the file name. It is good to note that you can easily change it to your name regardless of whether you use some caps or not. However, be keen to retain the format used that is Minecraft_Server.exe



The other version is the jar format; supposing you happen to have this version, then you will have to set up a path variable for java so as to start this version in the server. Remember first to verify the latest version of java and install it accordingly. This is also necessary in setting up a Minecraft server using the jar version.



You will be required to copy and paste this in the note pad, that is; java -Xms512M -Xmx1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar. It is better to save the file as start server.bat indicating that it is a batch file. Then you will select the link and open it to get Minecraft running.



There is also another thing you need to know when you are trying to understand how to make a Minecraft server without altering your system path. This can simply be done by expressing the java variable path in “start.bat” file or it can be any other kind of name you have given it followed by the “.bat”. This is pretty fancy since it allows you to operate with the command prompt without having to keep on editing the system path.



The next thing you will need to do is to add the command @echo off; this will prevent the command window from opening and displaying the output from the file we started off with. Followed by this will be making sure that the system will be able to find the java alias Java runtime environment or JRE, which can be achieved by adding the text to the path’s variable on an existing current window PC java will most likely be located at “C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\java.exe”, so what you would then write is

path=%PATH%;%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Java\jre6\bin\java.exe “ as enclosed by the double quotations.



The %PATH% is the current location of all path values while %ProgramFiles(x86)% is the location of all your current 32 bit or 64 bit program files depending on the type of OS you are using. This in most cases is usually the “C:\Program Files (x86)” otherwise commonly referred to as program files. Last but not the least, ensure that the very last line is the line that is set to start the server, that is; java -Xms512M -Xmx1024M -jar minecraft_server.jar



These are the basics of making a Minecraft server and perhaps will be useful for the newbie in tech, who wants to have his or her own Minecraft server for various reasons. For those with other types of OS such as the UNIX, LINUX or even Oracle and Mac, the requirements will differ accordingly as this covers only Windows exe and jar versions.

Edited by the PapersEditing.