Install SteamCMD on a Windows VPS

Published June 8, 2026 · By Host Havoc Technical Support Team

SteamCMD is a command-line tool for downloading and updating Steam-based dedicated game servers. Install it once and use it to manage any number of game servers on your VPS.

Before starting, connect to your Windows VPS via Remote Desktop so all steps below run on the VPS, not your local machine.

Install SteamCMD

  1. Download steamcmd.zip, the official SteamCMD package for Windows from Valve.
  2. Create a new folder on the Desktop (for example, SteamCMD) to keep the files organized.
  3. Extract the contents of steamcmd.zip into that folder (right-click the file, select Extract All, and choose the folder). This gives you steamcmd.exe.
  4. Double-click steamcmd.exe to run it.
  5. A console window opens and automatically downloads the required SteamCMD files. When complete, the prompt displays:
Loading Steam API... OK

Set a custom install directory (optional)

By default, SteamCMD installs game server files alongside itself. To use a different location, run this command before you log in:

force_install_dir c:\steamcmd\FOLDERNAME

Replace FOLDERNAME with a name that identifies the game server.

Log in

Most game servers allow anonymous login. Some require a Steam account that owns the game.

Anonymous login (most servers):

login anonymous

Steam account login (when required):

login YOUR_USERNAME YOUR_PASSWORD

Note: After a Steam account login you may be asked for a Steam Guard code sent to your email. Enter it to complete the login.

Next steps

With SteamCMD installed and logged in, you are ready to install game servers. See Host Game Servers on a Windows VPS for per-game installation commands and port-forwarding steps.