Can I manually rename a Windrose world folder?

No. Windrose uses the folder name as the internal IslandId in the RocksDB database, so renaming it can corrupt the world or make it unusable.

Windrose: Manage Worlds

Q: Where does Windrose store world data on my server?

In R5/Saved/SaveProfiles/Default/RocksDB/[game version]/Worlds/—each world folder is named after its unique IslandId.

Q: How can I check which world is active on my Windrose server?

Open ServerDescription.json and look for the WorldIslandId entry. This value determines which world the server loads at startup.

Q: How do I switch between multiple Windrose worlds?

Stop the server, change the WorldIslandId value in ServerDescription.json to the target world's IslandId (from its WorldDescription.json), save the file, and restart the server.

Learn how to manage multiple Windrose worlds, switch between world saves, and configure your world settings on a Dedicated Server using the right world structure. -> Learn more

10 November 20266 min read0 Views0 helpful

Introduction

Windrose supports multiple worlds on a single Dedicated Server, with each world using its own save data and a WorldDescription.json configuration. In this guide, you'll learn how to create new worlds, switch between existing worlds, create backups, and safely delete worlds.

Before you begin

Before you start, make sure you have access to your Windrose game server through your ZapX customer account and that your server is currently offline before you change saves or configurations.

Info

Required access You need access to the ZAP-Hosting game server management panel, specifically the Files, Configuration, and Backups tabs, to manage your Windrose worlds safely.

Warning

Stop the server first Always stop your server before editing ServerDescription.json or WorldDescription.json, creating world folders, or deleting save data. This helps prevent data corruption and incomplete world writes.

Understand the Windrose world structure

Windrose stores all world data in the save profile directory. The first world is created automatically when you start the server for the first time.

The relevant structure looks like this:

text

R5/Saved/SaveProfiles/Default
ServerDescription.json
RocksDB
<game_version>
Worlds
World_1_ID
WorldDescription.json
World_2_ID

In practice, the world folders are located here:

text

R5/Saved/SaveProfiles/Default/RocksDB/[deine_spielversion]/Worlds/

Each world folder is named after its unique IslandId. The server uses this ID internally to determine which world to load.

File or folder	Purpose
`ServerDescription.json`	Defines the active server configuration, including the world currently loaded
`RocksDB/[deine_spielversion]/Worlds/`	Stores all available world save folders
`[deine_welt_id]/WorldDescription.json`	Stores the configuration for a specific world
`WorldIslandId`	The value in `ServerDescription.json` that tells the server which world to load

Warning

Do not rename world folders Never manually rename a world folder. Windrose uses the folder name as the internal IslandId in the RocksDB database. Renaming it can corrupt the world or make it unusable.

Find the active world

Before switching or creating worlds, it helps to know which world is currently active.

Check the server configuration

Open the Configuration tab (raw text view) for your game server and look for the ServerDescription.json file. If the file isn't listed there, open it in the root directory from the Files tab.

Look for this entry:

json

"WorldIslandId": "[deine_welt_id]"

This value determines which world the server loads at startup.

Check a world ID

To identify a specific saved world, open the WorldDescription.json file in its world folder and look for the IslandId value.

Example:

json

{
  "Version": 1,
  "WorldDescription": {
    "IslandId": "World_Example_ID",
    "WorldName": "Meine Welt",
    "WorldPresetType": "Medium",
    "WorldSettings": {}
  }
}

The IslandId in this file must exactly match the folder name.

Switch between worlds

If you already have multiple worlds saved on your server, you can switch between them by changing the active WorldIslandId.

Update the target world

First, stop your server through your ZapX customer account.

Then open ServerDescription.json in the Configuration tab (raw text view) or in the root directory of the server files through the Files tab.

Find this entry:

json

"WorldIslandId": "PASTE_TARGET_WORLD_ID_HERE"

Replace the value with the IslandId of the world you want to load. You can find this ID in the target world's WorldDescription.json file.

Save and restart the server

Save the file and restart your server. Windrose will now load the selected world.

Tip

Check the world ID carefully If WorldIslandId doesn't exactly match an existing world folder and its IslandId, the server won't be able to load the desired world and may generate a new one instead.

Create a new world

If you want to host multiple game worlds on one server, you can create a new world manually.

Create the world folder

First, stop your server.

Open the Files tab and navigate to:

text

R5/Saved/SaveProfiles/Default/RocksDB/[deine_spielversion]/Worlds/

Create a new folder with a unique name. This folder name will become the IslandId of the new world.

Example:

text

R5/Saved/SaveProfiles/Default/RocksDB/[deine_spielversion]/Worlds/MeineZweiteWelt

Create the WorldDescription file

In the new folder, create a file named WorldDescription.json and add this template:

json

{
  "Version": 1,
  "WorldDescription": {
    "IslandId": "DEINE_NEUE_WELT_ID",
    "WorldName": "Meine zweite Welt",
    "WorldPresetType": "Medium",
    "WorldSettings": {}
  }
}

Replace DEINE_NEUE_WELT_ID with the world ID you chose.

Warning

IDs must match The IslandId in WorldDescription.json must exactly match the folder name. Even small differences, such as capitalization or spaces, will prevent the world from loading.

Set the new world as active

Now open ServerDescription.json and update the WorldIslandId value to point to your new world ID.

Example:

json

"WorldIslandId": "MeineZweiteWelt"

Save the file and start the server. Windrose will generate the new world when the server starts.

Back up a world

Before switching worlds, deleting data, or testing new settings, you should create a backup of your world.

Use the ZAP-Hosting backup feature

First, stop your server.

We back up your server automatically every day. With the ZapX Pass, you can also open the Backups section in the panel and create a backup of your own with a single click. This is the safest way to restore the complete server state later. Learn more in Backups.

Download world files manually

If you only want a direct copy of the save data, open the Files tab and download the entire RocksDB/ folder using the zip or download option.

Relevant path:

text

R5/Saved/SaveProfiles/Default/RocksDB/

Backup method	Recommended use
Panel backup	Best option for a complete server restore
Manual `RocksDB/` download	Best option for directly archiving world saves
Both methods	Ideal for important worlds or before a wipe

Info

Backup recommendation If you manage multiple worlds, keeping both a panel backup and a manual copy of RocksDB/ gives you the most flexibility to restore individual worlds later.

Delete (wipe) a world

If you want to completely reset a world, you can delete its save folder and let the server generate a new world.

Delete a world save

Stop your server.

Open the Files tab and navigate to:

text

R5/Saved/SaveProfiles/Default/RocksDB/[deine_spielversion]/Worlds/

Delete the folder for the world you want to reset.

Generate the world again

Make sure ServerDescription.json still points to the deleted world ID in the WorldIslandId field.

When you restart the server, Windrose detects that the target world folder is missing and generates a fresh world for that ID.

Warning

Check the folder before deleting it Deleting the wrong world folder permanently removes that world's save data unless you have a backup. Carefully check the folder name and IslandId before proceeding.

Manage world settings

Each world has its own WorldDescription.json, so you can maintain separate settings for different worlds on the same server.

Example world configuration

json

{
  "Version": 1,
  "WorldDescription": {
    "IslandId": "MeineZweiteWelt",
    "WorldName": "Meine zweite Welt",
    "WorldPresetType": "Medium",
    "WorldSettings": {}
  }
}

Important values

Key	Description
`Version`	The configuration version used by the file
`IslandId`	Internal world ID; must match the folder name
`WorldName`	Display name of the world
`WorldPresetType`	Preset type used to generate the world
`WorldSettings`	Additional world-specific settings, if supported

Info

Manage configuration in the panel You can edit Windrose configuration files in the Configuration tab (raw text view). If a file isn't available there, use the Files tab to edit it directly.

Best practices for managing multiple worlds

Managing multiple worlds on one server is useful for testing, events, or different player groups. To keep everything organized, follow these tips:

Use clear, unique world IDs such as [deine_pvp_welt] or [deine_bau_welt]
Make sure the folder name and IslandId match exactly
Create a backup before every switch or wipe
Avoid changing files while the server is running
Document which WorldIslandId belongs to each world name

This helps you avoid confusion, especially when managing many worlds over a long period.

Conclusion

Congratulations, you've successfully managed Windrose worlds on your server. Our support team is available every day if you have any further questions or need help! 🙂

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

In R5/Saved/SaveProfiles/Default/RocksDB/[game version]/Worlds/—each world folder is named after its unique IslandId.

Open ServerDescription.json and look for the WorldIslandId entry. This value determines which world the server loads at startup.

Stop the server, change the WorldIslandId value in ServerDescription.json to the target world's IslandId (from its WorldDescription.json), save the file, and restart the server.

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Introduction

Before you begin

Understand the Windrose world structure

Find the active world

Check the server configuration

Check a world ID

Switch between worlds

Update the target world

Save and restart the server

Create a new world

Create the world folder

Create the WorldDescription file

Set the new world as active

Back up a world

Use the ZAP-Hosting backup feature

Download world files manually

Delete (wipe) a world

Delete a world save

Generate the world again

Manage world settings

Example world configuration

Important values

Best practices for managing multiple worlds

Conclusion

Frequently asked questions

Windrose

Before you begin

Find the active world

Check the server configuration

Check a world ID

Switch between worlds

Update the target world

Save and restart the server

Create a new world

Create the world folder

Create the WorldDescription file

Set the new world as active

Delete (wipe) a world

Delete a world save

Generate the world again

Best practices for managing multiple worlds

Conclusion

Game Server

Servers & Hosting

ZAPX

Resources

ZAP-Hosting