VPS guide
How to Reinstall the Operating System on Your VPS
In short
Back up anything you need first, because a reinstall wipes the disk. Then open your VPS's Virtualizor control panel, choose Reinstall OS, pick an operating system, set a new root password and confirm. It takes a few minutes.
A reinstall gives you a clean server: useful after a failed experiment, a compromise, or when you want a different Linux distribution. Everything on the VPS disk is erased, and unmanaged VPS plans don't include backups, so copy off anything you want to keep first.
1. Back up first
Copy websites, database dumps (mysqldump), configuration files and anything in home directories to another machine. Once the reinstall starts it can't be undone.
2. Open the VPS control panel
Log in to the Client Portal, open Services > My Services and select your VPS. Power controls and the OS reinstall are in the Virtualizor control panel for that VPS.
3. Choose Reinstall OS
In Virtualizor, open your VPS and click Reinstall OS. Pick the operating system and version from the template list, such as Ubuntu or AlmaLinux, enter a new root password twice, and confirm.
4. Wait for it to finish
The reinstall usually takes a few minutes, and Virtualizor shows its progress. Don't start another reinstall or reboot the VPS while it runs.
5. Log in to the fresh server
Connect with ssh root@your-vps-ip and the new password. Your computer will warn that the host key has changed, because the reinstall created new keys. Remove the old key with:
ssh-keygen -R your-vps-ipThen follow how to secure a Linux VPS before you put anything back on it.
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See VPS plansQuestions
Will reinstalling delete my data?
Yes. Everything on the VPS disk is erased. Copy anything you need to another machine first.
Can I switch to a different operating system?
Yes. Pick any template in the Reinstall OS list, for example moving from one Linux distribution to another.
Why does SSH say the remote host identification has changed?
The reinstall created new SSH host keys. Run ssh-keygen -R your-vps-ip on your computer to remove the old one, then connect again.
Can you reinstall it for me?
Yes. Open a support ticket from the Client Portal and tell us which operating system you want.