If you’re reading this article, chances are that you want to create a Dota 2 server on Windows. The steps in this guide will work on Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. Dota 2 requires a Aklweb host instance with at least 15GB of free disk space.

Step 1: Prerequisites for SteamCMD

The first thing we’ll be doing today is creating a directory for the game server manager. Do this by right clicking on your desktop, and clicking new folder. Rename it to SteamCMD, as it will be the folder we’ll be using in this example.

Enter the directory and open up your favorite web browser. Download https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd.zip by putting it into your address bar and hitting enter.

Move the contents of the compressed archive (.zip file) into the folder you’ve created on your desktop.

Now, as Dota 2 requires srcds (Source Dedicated Server), we will download it from http://www.steampowered.com/download/hldsupdatetool.exe.

Move the executable to C:\Windows\system32. This will ease execution later.

Step 2: Configuring SteamCMD

Now, we’ll need to execute the steamcmd.exe executable. Double-click it and allow it to update for a few moments. Once you see the Steam> prompt, you may continue.

Enter login yoursteamusername yoursteampassword into the prompt and hit enter. If you have Steam Guard enabled, you will need to check your email for the Steam Guard code.

Step 3: Installing Dota 2

This step is relatively simple – begin by executing the following in your Steam prompt:

force_install_dir dota2
app_update 570

Now, separate from your Steam prompt, open up a Command Prompt window by pushing Windows Key + R and entering cmd.exe.

Go to the Steam directory you created on your desktop. Run the following in the command prompt window:

cd "/steamapps/common/dota 2 beta/game/dota"
copy /windows/system32/hldsupdatetool.exe srcds.exe

Great job – you’ve installed Dota 2.

Step 4: Starting Your Dota 2 Server

Great job so far, in this step we will start the Dota 2 server. Open up a Command Prompt window, and execute the following:

cd "/steamapps/common/dota 2 beta/game/dota"
srcds -console -game dota +map dota

Conclusion

Congratulations – you have successfully created a Dota 2 server on Windows. All you have to do is get on and play!