diff --git a/windows/pyi_runtime_hook.py b/windows/pyi_runtime_hook.py
index 9477482..cbce93c 100644
--- a/windows/pyi_runtime_hook.py
+++ b/windows/pyi_runtime_hook.py
@@ -110,13 +110,18 @@ def _setup_paths():
 
 
 def _copy_bundled_resources():
-    """Copy bundled resource/config files to the local folders on first run."""
+    """Copy bundled resource files to the local folders on first run.
+
+    NOTE: app_config.json is intentionally absent. It is not bundled (see
+    build.spec) because shipping it would plant the build machine's server
+    settings into a fresh install. The player instead starts unconfigured and
+    runs its first-run setup, writing a real config next to the .exe.
+    """
     exe_dir = Path(sys.executable).parent
     internal_dir = Path(getattr(sys, '_MEIPASS', exe_dir))
 
     # Files to copy (source in bundle -> destination next to .exe)
     files_to_copy = [
-        ('config/app_config.json', 'config/app_config.json'),
         ('config/resources/access-card.png', 'config/resources/access-card.png'),
         ('config/resources/arrow.png', 'config/resources/arrow.png'),
         ('config/resources/backward.png', 'config/resources/backward.png'),