Attempting to host a dedicated server on -nosteam

[wise patrol]

I'm trying to host a server so we can play in 42.16.3 without updates or mods updating because it'll probably break the game, but I can't seem to figure out how to do this. If anybody would be willing to help me that'd be great

whenever i try to connect with -nosteam on my mods list is empty ingame, and i get this same message from the image

ive already duplicated my project zomboid directory and also the Zomboid directory in C: -> users -> user -> Zomboid, but I don't know what to do from there

[ornate mica]

How are you hosting the server exactly? Step by step

You disabled Steam, so Steam mods will not work

Which is why your mod list is empty, you disabled them

[wise patrol]

Im hosting through a dedicated server (indifferent broccoli) I have -nosteam enabled in my launch options and I've created the duplicates of the folders but I now realized that I need to grab the mods from inside the modID folders (the ones with the numbers from the steam workshop) so I know now I need to move the mods outside of those for it to register with the game, does every player on my server have to do this though? moving the mods to their local folder?

or can they just put -nosteam in their launch options and join

[ornate mica]

Every player has to manually install the mods on nonsteam servers, and they also have to use the -nosteam launch option if you specifically want to have Steam players play in nonsteam mode

I do not really see a reason why you would attempt playing in nonsteam mode, unless you have a lot of friends who own the GoG version of the game