I'll make a simple one here, and if it's not detailed enough, just tell me.
Step 1: Create a folder.
Step 2: Place the server release into the folder. (get from
http://www.minecraft.net/download for VANILLA (
or Bukkit Forums for PLUGIN SUPPORT)
Step 3: If you have an executable, skip to step 6. If you have a jarfile, go to the next step.
Step 4: Create a batch file.
Step 5: Copy and paste java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar *JARFILENAME.jar (example minecraft_server.jar) into the batch file. (1024 is the amount of server memory in MB)
Step 6: Run the batch file or executable (exe or jar)
Step 7: Let the server generate it's configurations.
Step 8: Stop the server using /stop ingame or using stop in the console.
Step 9: Open the file server.properties in a text editor.
Step 10: Edit to fit your preference. Ask if you are confused what a value is.
Step 11: Save the file, and you are done. If you are using Bukkit then proceed to step 12.
Step 12: If you are using Bukkit, then you will see a plugins folder. You can find plugins at
Bukkit Plugin List
*Use your OWN jarfile's name