This module installs, configures, starts, stops, monitors, imports, and backs up the stable 7 Days to Die dedicated server.
NEEDS LIVE TEST. Module version 1.0 installs Steam app 294420 from the normal stable branch. It does not silently opt users into latest_experimental. Renamed from the module's original SDTD_ExperimentalBeta working name now that the stable-branch conversion is complete - it was never actually the experimental branch.
WindowsGSH anonymously installs Steam app 294420 and launches root 7DaysToDieServer.exe with serverconfig.xml. Import 7DaysToDie.mod, add a server, install, configure, and start it.
Import accepts a direct dedicated-server installation or a WindowsGSM root containing serverfiles. Preview verifies the executable and reads supported values from serverconfig.xml. If the source points UserDataFolder outside the installation (commonly %AppData%), preview warns instead of guessing or silently losing that data. Copy the external data explicitly before adopting the module-local layout. Preview never changes the source.
WindowsGSH updates supported <property> values in serverconfig.xml while preserving comments, unknown properties, and advanced manual settings. It manages identity, visibility, password, base port, crossplay, slots, world/save identity, random-world seed and size, difficulty, EAC, Telnet, web dashboard, and the module-local data path.
Generated worlds, saves, administration XML, and related state are placed under WindowsGSHData so backup and import behavior does not depend on a hidden roaming profile. Additional arguments are trusted raw text.
Current Fun Pimps staff guidance (February 2025) identifies three game UDP ports, not the older four-port range:
| Purpose | Default | Protocol | Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game/details | 26900 |
TCP | Required; eligible for opt-in UPnP. |
| Game networking | 26900-26902 |
UDP | Required; eligible for opt-in UPnP. |
| Web dashboard | 8080 |
TCP | Optional, disabled and private by default; never automatically forwarded. |
| Telnet administration | 8081 |
TCP | Optional, disabled and private by default; never automatically forwarded. |
Some older releases or network combinations were reported to need base+3 UDP. Do not expose it by default for the current supported build; record actual listening sockets during beta testing if a join fails.
Status is deliberately process-based. The module does not claim A2S, GSLT, or generic RCON compatibility without a current protocol capture. The embedded process console is available, while Telnet is configured only for compatible external administration tools. A blank Telnet password limits the game service to loopback; use a strong unique password and firewall allow-list before remote use.
The web dashboard uses its own authentication data under the generated server state. Do not expose it directly to the public internet without understanding and securing that access surface.
| Purpose | Path |
|---|---|
| Executable | 7DaysToDieServer.exe |
| Configuration | serverconfig.xml |
| Managed worlds, saves, and administration data | WindowsGSHData |
| Server log | WindowsGSHData\Logs\server-output.log |
| Mods | Mods |
WindowsGSH backs up the managed data directory, configuration, and Mods directory. A source installation whose data lives elsewhere must be migrated explicitly before relying on these backups.
- Fresh install, remote join, crossplay, graceful stop, and restore require live testing.
- WindowsGSH does not currently send commands over the game’s Telnet protocol.
- Conditional admin ports cannot yet disappear from the host’s static port inventory, so they remain marked private and excluded from automatic forwarding even when enabled.
- Fresh-install app
294420and confirm stable version, executable, generated config, and module-local data. - Test TCP
26900plus UDP26900-26902, remote join, public listing, crossplay, and opt-in UPnP; capture actual sockets. - Test direct and WindowsGSM imports with Copy and Adopt, including an external
%AppData%save migration. - Verify XML comment/unknown-property preservation, Navezgane and RWG creation, passwords, slots, EAC, console, graceful Stop, crash detection, reattachment, update, Verify Files, backup, and restore.
- Separately test Telnet and web dashboard locally before considering any remote exposure.
Report issues at https://github.com/WindowsGSH/WindowsGSH.7DaysToDie with versions and redacted diagnostics.
If you like the work I do and would like to support continued WindowsGSH and module development, you can contribute here:
Modules run with WindowsGSH's permissions. Review the manifest, C# source, SECURITY.md, and THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md. Setup behavior follows the dedicated server's shipped serverconfig.xml, Valve's dedicated-server reference, and current Fun Pimps staff guidance.