Free Minecraft multiplayer game enabler
Minecraft is a sandbox game that allows you to create and explore virtual 3D worlds built from blocks. If you want to play Minecraft with your friends, you can connect to an external server, use Minecraft Realms, or create a server on your network at home with Minecraft Server.
Once created, the server will enable you to play a multiplayer Minecraft game, so you can construct huge buildings and worlds with friends. You can download Minecraft Server for free on your Windows PC. Free and open-source alternatives include Pterodactyl, PaperMC and Pufferpanel.
Minecraft Server allows you to host the game software on a computer for all the other players to connect to and use. To run the Minecraft Server software, you will need these system requirements:
System requirements
- Java installed on your computer
- Windows 10 desktop or server
- 4GB of RAM or more
- Reliable wired network connection
- Unlimited, unthrottled Internet bandwidth as you need up to 100 MB per player per hour
You can increase the performance of your server by adding more RAM or a more powerful CPU.
Setting up the server
While there are no official guidelines for setting up a Minecraft server, the Minecraft community has produced many articles, videos and tutorials that explain how to use, install and modify the Minecraft Server application. The English version of the official documentation is of good quality.
The setup consists of four basic steps. First, you download the Minecraft Server software. Then you execute and configure it, and check the firewall settings. Next, you open the Minecraft game client and connect your server. Finally, you can open your Minecraft Server from the EXE installer or the JAR file.
Multiplayer game
Once your server is set up, provide the IP address to other local players so they can join the game. You can also prepare your network to allow external links. You can have up to 20 players join your game and can increase this number through configuration. You must define a map for your multiplayer game from one in the world folder.
Create your own Minecraft multiplayer world
Minecraft Server software allows you to play your favourite game with your friends and family working together as a community. Setting up the server is complicated and time-consuming as it takes many dedicated hours to modify it. The results are gratifying as you create a universe for those you invite.