Machines

Prepare a Windows machine

Important: Windows only. On Linux, follow Prepare a Linux machine instead.

Before a Windows machine can connect, it runs a one-time script that sets it up and reboots. You don't configure anything — the script and the panel handle it all.

The script installs everything the panel needs to host game servers — remote access, Docker (each server runs in its own isolated container), file access and backup sync — applies the latest Windows updates, then reboots the machine.

1. Log in with RDP

Use Microsoft Remote Desktop to connect to your machine with the Administrator account and the password from your hosting provider.

Note: No Administrator account? See Activate the Administrator user.

2. Open PowerShell

Click the Windows Start button, type PowerShell, right-click it and choose Run as administrator.

3. Run the preparation command

Copy the command for your Windows version, paste it into PowerShell and press Enter. The script runs and reboots the machine automatically when done.

Windows Server 2022

Invoke-WebRequest -Uri https://dash.soezy.net/downloads/install-script_windows-server-2022.ps1 -OutFile .\soezy-install.ps1; .\soezy-install.ps1

Windows Server 2025

Invoke-WebRequest -Uri https://dash.soezy.net/downloads/install-script_windows-server-2025.ps1 -OutFile .\soezy-install.ps1; .\soezy-install.ps1

Tip: If PowerShell blocks the script, run Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force first, then paste the command again.

Several machines behind one internet connection?

If more than one PC shares the same public IP (a home or office router), give each a different SSH port so the router can send the panel to the right box. Add -SshPort 2222 (any free port) to the command:

.\soezy-install.ps1 -SshPort 2222

Then, on your router, forward external port 2222 to this exact PC, and enter 2222 as the SSH port on the Add machine screen. Use a distinct port per PC (2222, 2223, …). With a single machine per IP, ignore this — the default port 22 is fine.

Want the first server to start faster? (optional)

Add -PrestageImage to download the game runtime image (~8 GB) during setup instead of on your first server start. It runs in the background after the reboot, so setup finishes at the same time — only the download happens earlier.

.\soezy-install.ps1 -PrestageImage

4. Wait for the reboot

Let the script finish — don't close the window. It can take up to 30 minutes (Windows updates + Docker), then the machine reboots on its own.

Docker on Windows installs in two stages, so the script finishes it automatically after the reboot — you don't run anything a second time. When the machine is back, it writes a one-line status to C:\gamepanel\prepare-status.txt: READY means everything (including Docker) is up and you can connect; FAILED lists what's missing so you can re-run the script.

Tip: If the summary at the end shows [FAIL] for SSH, the Containers feature or Docker, the script stops with a clear message and does not reboot — fix the noted item and run it again. It's safe to re-run.

Important: The script installs SSH, FTP and Docker but does not open your game ports — those are configured per server later (see Ports & firewall).

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