How to Create a FiveM Server on Windows VPS

This guide walks through setting up a FiveM server on a Windows VPS. A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a rented remote Windows computer that runs 24/7 — exactly what a FiveM server needs to stay online. You can expect 30–45 minutes for a complete installation.

Minimum Requirements

Quick Summary

1. Connect to your Windows Server VPS via RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) — this lets you control the VPS with a graphical desktop, just like a normal Windows PC.
2. Install Visual C++ Redistributable 2019+ and 7-Zip.
3. Download the latest FXServer artifacts — the server build/version files — from runtime.fivem.net and extract them to C:\FXServer\server.
4. Generate your license key at keymaster.fivem.net, launch FXServer.exe, configure txAdmin via http://localhost:40120. txAdmin is the web interface used to manage your FiveM server.
5. Open ports 30120 TCP/UDP and 40120 TCP in the Windows firewall.

Prerequisites

• Windows Server 2019 or 2022 VPS
• Free CFX.re account (portal.cfx.re)
• Ports 30120 TCP/UDP (players) and 40120 TCP (txAdmin) available

Step 1 — Install System Prerequisites

On your VPS, install:

• Visual C++ 2015-2022 x64 — Download from Microsoft
• 7-Zip — 7-zip.org

Step 2 — Download and Extract FXServer

FXServer is the FiveM server software — these are the files your server actually runs.

1. Create the folder structure:

   C:\FXServer\
   ├── server\          ← FXServer binaries
   └── server-data\     ← data, resources, server.cfg
       └── resources\

2. Download the latest recommended server build from runtime.fivem.net and extract the contents to C:\FXServer\server\.

Step 3 — Generate a License Key

1. Log in to keymaster.fivem.net.
2. Click Generate Key.
3. Enter your server name and VPS IP address.
4. Copy the key (cfxk_xxxxxxxxxxxx_xxxxxx) and add it to your server.cfg:

   sv_licenseKey "cfxk_xxxxxxxxxxxx_xxxxxx"

Step 4 — Configure Windows Firewall

Open these ports in the Windows Firewall:

• 30120 TCP/UDP — Game traffic and player connections
• 40120 TCP — txAdmin web interface

Step 5 — First Start and txAdmin Setup

Launch C:\FXServer\server\FXServer.exe. A browser should open at http://localhost:40120. Complete the initial setup:

• Link your CFX.re account
• Create an admin password
• Name your server
• Choose a recipe (CFX Default, ESX Legacy, or QBCore Framework)
• Enter your license key
• Click Run Recipe then Save & Run Server