RustDesk Server - Selfhosting

Note: This setup only works on Windows.
Tested and working with RustDesk Server v1.6.2.
Recommended operating systems: Tiny10 (most recommended) and Windows 10.
Documentation

Step 1: Edit Your Hosts File

The hosts file is located at:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

Add the following line to your hosts file:

127.0.0.1 rustdesk.com

This is because the RustDesk server tries to authenticate with rustdesk.com. If it fails, it will reset the license. By pointing rustdesk.com to your local machine (127.0.0.1), your local machine will block any requests to the main activation server and go with what it has in its cache.

Editing hosts file on Windows

Step 2: Download and Install RustDesk Server

  1. Download the RustDesk server for Windows:
    rustdesk-server-windows-x86_64.zip
  2. Unzip the archive.
  3. Run the installer.
  4. Start the RustDesk server.
RustDesk Server Installer

Step 3: Log In to the Server

Open your browser and visit:

http://localhost:21114

Log in with:

RustDesk Login Screen

Step 4: Set a Temporary License

The server will complain about the license. Set it to anything just to proceed.

Step 5: Activate Your License Properly

  1. Download the RustDesk Server Activator:
    rustdesk-server-activator.zip
  2. Unzip and run the activator executable.
  3. The activator will set your license to:
Important: Every time you restart the RustDesk server, you must run the activator again to reapply the license activation.
RustDesk Server Activator

Need More Devices, Users, or a Longer Expiry?

Email me at:

fonoxy1+rustdeskserver@gmail.com

Happy selfhosting!