---
title: "Setting up a FiveM server on your dedicated machine"
description: "Set up a joinable FiveM server on a Windows machine, install FXServer artifacts, apply your Keymaster license key, and check first boots."
url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/fivem/setup/"
category: "FiveM"
category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/fivem/"
published: "2026-07-02T01:53:56.564Z"
updated: "2026-08-01T15:08:58.300Z"
source_format: "markdown"
site: "GameServerKings"
---

# Setting up a FiveM server on your dedicated machine

This guide walks you through installing a **FiveM dedicated server** on a Windows machine and reaching first boot. Unlike our Pterodactyl-managed games, FiveM on Windows is a standalone install that you run directly on the machine. This guide assumes you have rented a Windows dedicated server through us or own one.

FiveM is the multiplayer modification framework for Grand Theft Auto V. Servers run via the `FXServer` artifact provided by CFX.re.

Once your server boots, continue to [Configuring your FiveM server](/knowledge-base/fivem/configuration-overview/), then [Running as a Service](/knowledge-base/fivem/running-as-service/) for production setup.

## Prerequisites

Before you start, you need:

- A dedicated machine with Windows
- Administrator access (RDP into the machine)
- A legitimate copy of GTA V on the host's Steam, Epic, or Rockstar Launcher (FiveM does not require it on the server itself, only on clients)
- A **Cfx.re account** with a generated **license key** (free at `keymaster.fivem.net`)
- A MariaDB or MySQL server if you plan to run resources that need a database (most ESX/QBCore frameworks do; see [Database and Frameworks](/knowledge-base/fivem/database-and-frameworks/))

## Hardware Recommendations

| Player Count | CPU | RAM | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 4 cores, 3.5+ GHz | 8 GB | 50 GB SSD |
| 64 | 6 cores, 3.5+ GHz | 16 GB | 100 GB SSD |
| 128 | 8 cores, 4.0+ GHz | 32 GB | 200 GB NVMe |
| 200+ | 12+ cores, high clock | 64 GB | 500 GB NVMe |

FiveM is heavily single-thread bound, so per-core clock speed matters more than core count. Server clock speeds at or above 4.0 GHz produce noticeably smoother gameplay.

## Step 1: Generate a License Key

1. Go to `keymaster.fivem.net` and sign in with your Cfx.re account.

2. Click **Generate**.

3. Choose **Dedicated Server** as the type.

4. Enter your server's public IP address (or the FQDN you plan to use).

5. Copy the generated license key (long alphanumeric string starting with `cfxk_`).

Store this key safely. You will paste it into `server.cfg` during [Configuring your FiveM server](/knowledge-base/fivem/configuration-overview/).

## Step 2: Download the FXServer Artifact

1. Go to `runtime.fivem.net/artifacts/fivem/build_server_windows/master/`.

2. The page lists every build, newest at the bottom. Pick a build labeled **Recommended** or **Latest**. Avoid builds labeled with the optional flag unless you specifically want bleeding-edge.

3. Right-click the `server.7z` file link inside the build folder and copy the URL.

4. On your Windows server, RDP in, open PowerShell as Administrator, and run:

   ```powershell
   $url = "PASTE_THE_DOWNLOAD_URL"
   $dest = "C:\FXServer\server.7z"
   New-Item -Path "C:\FXServer" -ItemType Directory -Force
   Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $url -OutFile $dest
   ```

5. Install 7-Zip from `7-zip.org` if you do not have it.

6. Extract `C:\FXServer\server.7z` to `C:\FXServer\`. After extraction, `C:\FXServer\FXServer.exe` should exist.

## Step 3: Create the Server Data Folder

Server **artifacts** (the binary) and server **data** (your config, resources, database connections) live in separate folders. This separation is intentional and important: artifact updates never touch your data.

```powershell
New-Item -Path "C:\FXServer-data" -ItemType Directory -Force
```

Clone the official Cfx.re server-data template into this folder using Git. Install Git first if needed from `git-scm.com`:

```powershell
cd C:\FXServer-data
git clone https://github.com/citizenfx/cfx-server-data.git .
```

You should now see `resources/`, `server.cfg`, and other files inside `C:\FXServer-data`.

## Step 4: First Boot

Before a full production setup, do a quick test boot to confirm the artifact runs. You will configure `server.cfg` properly in the next guide, but the cloned template includes a minimal default you can launch.

From PowerShell:

```powershell
cd C:\FXServer-data
C:\FXServer\FXServer.exe +exec server.cfg
```

Output should scroll past with resource startup messages. The final indicator that the server is healthy:

```text title="Console output"
Authenticating server license key...
Server license key authentication succeeded.
Started resource ...
Server is up and running.
```

If you have not configured your license key yet, the license authentication step will fail. That is expected at this stage; continue to [Configuring your FiveM server](/knowledge-base/fivem/configuration-overview/) to set it up properly.

Once configured, open the FiveM client on your computer, press F8, type `connect YOUR_SERVER_IP:30120`, and you should connect.

## What to Read Next

- [Configuring your FiveM server](/knowledge-base/fivem/configuration-overview/) sets up `server.cfg` and firewall ports (do this next)
- [Running as a Service](/knowledge-base/fivem/running-as-service/) for production: NSSM or txAdmin
- [Database and Frameworks](/knowledge-base/fivem/database-and-frameworks/) for ESX, QBCore, and MySQL
- [OneSync, Updates, and Backups](/knowledge-base/fivem/onesync-updates-backups/) for scaling past 32 players and ongoing maintenance

---

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