Introduction: How to Make Your Own Minecraft Server for Free

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In this instructable I will teach you how to make a Minecraft PC server for free on Windows and Mac. You can use this server to have people join you from around the world, although you'll probably only get a few friends and family unless you post your server online Now lets begin.

Step 1: Vanilla and Bukkit Servers

Before you make a server, you need to know a few things. First of all, there are two types of servers, Bukkit and Vanilla. The main difference is that is you want a private server with a few friends, choose Vanilla. If you want a public server which can get briefed (destroyed) and spammed and stuff, then you want a bukkit server. Either way I'll teach you how to make both.

Step 2: Downloading Vanilla Software for Windows 7/Vista/XP

First you'll need to create a folder called "Minecraft_Server" or something that can tell you this will be your Minecraft server folder. Now from here you can either download the .exe file or the .jar file. .exe is easier and I don't really know the difference between them, but if for some reason your just a .jar guy, then Im sorry but you can find another tutorial for the jar file. First, go to https://minecraft.net/download, and under Multiplayer Server, click on minecraft_server1.7.10.exe. That will start the download. Place the file in your Minecraft_Server folder. Run the file and it should load up all the worlds and stuff. After it says "Done!", you can close it. Next, you'll have to set yourself as an operator (op). To do this, look at the other files in your Minecraft_Server folder and find "ops.txt." Type in your Minecraft username and you will become an op. If you want to more people, press enter, and then add their username.

(i.e.

TheDoctor

Notch)

Next open server.properties with notepad (this is very important you do it with notepad or another similar application) and change spawn-monsters=false to spawn-monsters=true. Now to join your server you'll need to find your ip address. I don't know how to find it on Windows, but it is probably is some system settings or network settings. Normally you would just type localhost into the multiplayer server, but other people not on the same Wi-Fi network can do that. So to get other people to join, you need to forward the port. To do that, go to http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/554-how-to-por... After that, tell some friends your ip address, and they are ready to join you.

NOTE: You will need to keep the file running while playing on your server or if you are going to leave your server on.

Step 3: Downloading Bukkit Software for Windows

Downloading Bukkit is very similar to Vanilla. First create that Minecraft_Server folder. Next go to: "repocache.cbukk.it/content/groups/public//org/bukkit/craftbukkit/1.6.4-R2.0/craftbukkit-1.6.4-R2.0.jar" and that will start the download. Rename the file to "craftbukkit.jar". Open Notepad and paste in:

@ECHO OFF
SET BINDIR=%~dp0

CD /D "%BINDIR%"

java -Xmx1G -Xms1G -jar craftbukkit.jar

PAUSE

Look at the picture above to see how it will really look. Save the file as "startserver.bat" and move it into the folder you created in the beginning. Open startserver.bat and it will load up all the necessary components.\

NOTE: You will need to keep startserver.bat running while playing on your server or if you intend to leave it on.

Step 4: Downloading Vanilla Software on Mac

Create a folder on your Mac called "Minecraft_Server" or anything that will remind you this is your server folder. Go to https://minecraft.net/download and download minecraft_server1.7.10.jar which is under Multiplayer Server. Place the file into the your Minecraft server folder. Open textedit > Format > Make Plain Text and paste in:

#!/bin/bash
cd "$(dirname "$0")"

exec java -Xmx1G -Xms1G -jar minecraft_server.jar

Again I'll show a picture showing how it will look. Save the file as startserver.command, and place it into the same folder. Next, open Terminal which you can find in spotlight or launchpad. Then paste in "chmod a+x " (the space is intended). Then drag in the startserver.command into the window and press enter. Open the file and the worlds and stuff will load up.

Note: You need to keep the file running to play on your server or intend to keep it on.

Step 5: Downloding Bukkit Software for Mac

Again make a folder for your Minecraft Server. Then go to: "repo.bukkit.org/content/groups/public/org/bukkit/craftbukkit/1.6.4-R2.0/craftbukkit-1.6.4-R2.0.jar". That'll start the download. Rename that file "craftbukkit.jar". Open TextEdit and make it plain text and paste in:

#!/bin/bash

cd "$( dirname "$0" ) "

java -Xmx1G -Xms1G -jar craftbukkit.jar

Save the file as startserver.command and put it into the the folder we made in the beginning. Open Terminal which you can find in spotlight or launchpad and paste in chmod a+x, then drag the startserver.command into the window. It should show up the name of the file after you put it in. Hit enter. Finally, open the startserver.command and all the stuff will load up.

Step 6: Conclusion

Now you know the two ways to make a server on Mac and Windows. I hope this instructable helped and if you have any questions or comments, leave them below and I will reply as soon as possible. Remember to like and subscribe and if you have a cool server you want me to join, I would happily. Just PM me your ip. Hope this helps.