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Reinstalling the OS completely wipes your VPS and provisions a fresh server from scratch. This is useful when your server is broken beyond repair, has been compromised, or you simply want to switch to a different operating system. The process typically takes 1–2 minutes, after which you’ll have a clean slate with a brand-new installation.
OS reinstall permanently erases ALL data on your VPS — including files, databases, installed software, and configurations. There is no way to recover this data after the reinstall begins. Back up anything important before you proceed.

How to reinstall

1

Log in to the Opus Host panel

Log in to the Opus Host Panel  and navigate to your dashboard.
2

Select your VPS

Click on the VPS you want to reinstall to open its management page.
3

Open Settings or Danger Zone

Click the Settings tab or scroll down to the Danger Zone section at the bottom of the page.
4

Click Reinstall OS

Click the Reinstall OS button. A dialog will open prompting you to choose your new operating system and confirm the action.
5

Choose your operating system

Select your desired OS from the dropdown menu (for example, Ubuntu 22.04, Debian 11). See the Available operating systems section below for the full list.
6

Type the confirmation phrase

Type REINSTALL in the confirmation box exactly as shown. This step exists to prevent accidental data loss.
7

Click Confirm and wait

Click Confirm to begin the reinstall. The process takes 1–2 minutes. Your VPS will be offline during this time and will automatically boot into the new OS when complete.

After reinstall

Once the reinstall is complete, a few things are worth knowing:
  • Your IP address stays the same. You can reconnect using the same IP as before.
  • You will receive new root credentials. Check your FreeHost dashboard or your registered email for the new root password.
  • Run a full system update immediately as your first step after logging in:
This ensures you have the latest security patches and package versions before you start configuring anything.

Available operating systems

Opus Host supports the following operating systems for VPS provisioning:
  • Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (recommended for beginners)
  • Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
  • Debian 12
  • Debian 11
  • CentOS 7
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS is the most widely supported OS and has the best community documentation. If you are unsure which OS to choose, pick this one.

When to reinstall

Consider reinstalling your OS in the following situations:
  • Your server has been compromised or hacked and you can no longer trust its integrity.
  • Your server is unbootable and cannot be recovered through normal troubleshooting.
  • You want a completely fresh start with no leftover configuration or software.
  • You are switching from one operating system to another (for example, moving from CentOS to Ubuntu).