Dashboard GUI Version Changer Guide
Dashboard GUI Version Changer Guide
The FreeMcHosting Dashboard (dash.freemchosting.com) provides an automated, one-click Version Changer. This tool eliminates the need to manually download, rename, and upload server .jar files via SFTP or the File Manager.
1. Supported Server Software Engines
The Dashboard Version Changer supports all eight official server software types, plus specialized engines:
| Software Engine | Primary Use Case | Performance Level | Mod / Plugin Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper | Modern multiplayer survival (Recommended) | High | Spigot & Bukkit Plugins |
| Purpur | Highly configurable gameplay & survival | Very High | Paper & Spigot Plugins |
| Fabric | Lightweight modern modpacks & performance mods | Very High | Fabric Mods |
| Forge | Traditional heavyweight tech & magic modpacks | Moderate | Forge Mods |
| NeoForge | Modern community fork for Minecraft 1.20.2+ | High | NeoForge Mods |
| Velocity | High-performance proxy for multi-server networks | Maximum | Velocity Proxy Plugins |
| Vanilla | Official untouched Mojang server release | Standard | Datapacks only |
| Pufferfish | Extreme entity & high-player-count optimization | Extreme | Paper & Spigot Plugins |
| Folia | Multi-threaded regionized server engine | Specialized | Folia-supported Plugins |
| Sponge | Enterprise modding & plugin hybrid framework | High | Sponge Plugins |
| Spigot | Legacy plugin server engine | Moderate | Bukkit & Spigot Plugins |
2. How to Change Server Version via Dashboard
Follow these steps to switch software or Minecraft versions safely:
- Stop Your Server: Navigate to the Console page and press Stop. Always ensure the server is completely offline before changing server software to prevent file corruption.
- Access Management: In the left sidebar of the Dashboard, click Management, then select Version Changer.
- Select Software Engine: Click on your desired platform (for example, Paper or Fabric).
- Choose Minecraft Version: Use the version dropdown to pick the specific game release (e.g.,
1.21.1,1.20.4, or historical releases). - Decide World Handling:
- Preserve Existing World: Keep your world folders intact. Use this if updating to a newer compatible version (such as Paper 1.20.4 to Paper 1.21).
- Wipe / Reset Data: Check this option if you are switching between incompatible architectures (for example, switching from Paper to Forge, or starting a completely fresh world).
- Apply and Install: Click Install Version. The system will download the verified software build and configure your startup parameters automatically.
- Start Server: Return to the Console and click Start.
3. Important Architectural Precautions
- Never downgrade a world save: Minecraft worlds cannot be loaded on older versions (e.g. running a 1.21 world on 1.20.4). Attempting to downgrade will corrupt chunk data and delete block entities.
- Plugin to Mod Transitions: If switching from a plugin engine (Paper/Purpur) to a mod engine (Fabric/Forge), plugins located in the
/plugins/folder will be ignored. Mods must be placed in/mods/. - EULA Agreement: On your first boot after changing software, ensure you accept the Mojang EULA if prompted in the console.
4. Dashboard vs Full Panel Version Changing
- Dashboard (
dash.freemchosting.com): Provides a streamlined, curated interface ideal for standard gameplay. All builds are tested and verified for stability on 4GB nodes. - Full Panel (
panel.freemchosting.com): Provides raw control over startup variables, custom Java runtime versions (Java 8, 17, 21), custom startup parameters, and arbitrary custom.jarfilenames.