> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.opus-host.de/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Reinstall Your Opus Host VPS Operating System Safely

> Wipe and reinstall your VPS operating system from the Opus Host panel to start fresh with a clean slate — all data will be erased.

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.

<Warning>
  **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.
</Warning>

## How to reinstall

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log in to the Opus Host panel">
    Log in to the [Opus Host Panel](http://opus-host.de/login)  and navigate to your dashboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select your VPS">
    Click on the VPS you want to reinstall to open its management page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Settings or Danger Zone">
    Click the **Settings** tab or scroll down to the **Danger Zone** section at the bottom of the page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Reinstall OS">
    Click the **Reinstall OS** button. A dialog will open prompting you to choose your new operating system and confirm the action.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose your operating system">
    Select your desired OS from the dropdown menu (for example, *Ubuntu 22.04*, *Debian 11*). See the [Available operating systems](#available-operating-systems) section below for the full list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Type the confirmation phrase">
    Type `REINSTALL` in the confirmation box exactly as shown. This step exists to prevent accidental data loss.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## 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:

```bash theme={null}
apt update && apt upgrade -y
```

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

<Tip>
  **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.
</Tip>

## 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).