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

# Reinstall Your VPS (Linux or Windows)

> Use the Installation tab in the EDBB Control Panel to reinstall your VPS with a fresh Linux or Windows OS and user-defined password or SSH-key.

export const CtaButton = ({label, link, openInNewTab}) => <a className="custom-cta-button" href={link} target={openInNewTab ? "_blank" : "_self"} rel={openInNewTab ? "noreferrer" : undefined}>
    {label}
  </a>;

## Reinstall from the Installation Tab

<Warning>
  Important: Reinstalling your VPS will permanently erase all data. Make sure you have backups before proceeding.
</Warning>

## Automated Installation in 5 Easy Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate your VPS in the control panel">
    Sign in to the <a href="https://my.edbb.com/clientarea.php" target="_blank">
    EDBB Control Panel</a>

    Go to <strong>Services</strong>
    and select the VPS you would like to reinstall.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Switch to Installation tab → Select Automated Installers">
    Use the <strong>Installation</strong>
    tab on the service Control Panel, then stay on the default <strong>Automated Installers</strong>
    view.

    <div style={{ marginTop:"16px" }}>
      <Frame>
        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/S2gdrGxvpzq5uZa3/assets/reinstall.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=S2gdrGxvpzq5uZa3&q=85&s=e3e778667093474d9d03bf273ecf5ed7" alt="Install OS in Control Panel" width="1290" height="1312" data-path="assets/reinstall.png" />
      </Frame>
    </div>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the operating system">
    Click the tile of the OS family you would like to install (Ubuntu, Debian, Rocky, AlmaLinux, Windows Server, etc.). Windows 10 you find in the Windows Server section.

    <div style={{ marginTop:"16px" }}>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/edbackboneco/S2gdrGxvpzq5uZa3/assets/reinstall-OS.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=S2gdrGxvpzq5uZa3&q=85&s=305234918a21a449536da294fd734f00" alt="Selecting an AutoInstall template" style={{ width:"100%",maxWidth:"820px",borderRadius:"16px",border:"1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.08)" }} width="1290" height="1312" data-path="assets/reinstall-OS.png" />
    </div>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the OS version">
    Use the dropdown below the OS family tile to pick the version/release you would like to install.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set password and launch">
    Enter a password (or paste an SSH public key) and click <strong>Start the installation.</strong>
    Our Control Panel initiates the installation.

    We do not send a new Welcome Email when you reinstall! The password you specify during installation will be your new root (Linux) or Windows Administrator password.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<warning>
  We do not send a new Welcome Email when you reinstall! The password you specify during installation will be your new root (Linux) or Windows Administrator password.
</warning>

***

## Track Progress - then Connect

| OS          | Approx. time | What happens / What to do                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| ----------- | ------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Linux**   | **≈ 5 min**  | AutoInstall provisions and reboots automatically — no extra clicks required. SSH is blocked during installation. Linux typically finishes installation in 5 minutes. When the status changes to *Running*, connect via **SSH** using the new root password. |
| **Windows** | **≈ 15 min** | RDP access is blocked during installation. When the status changes to *Running*, connect via **RDP** using the new Administrator password. Windows usually takes 15 minutes to install.                                                                     |

<info>
  The **Installation** tab streams logs while the image is provisioned. SSH/RDP ports stay closed until the job finishes.\
  ⚠️ Do **not** power off or reboot the VPS manually — AutoInstall restarts it automatically when the OS is ready.
</info>

***

## Install a Custom Image

Prefer to Bring Your Own .qcow2 image and/or run a cloud-init automation? Use the Cloud-Init workflow to keep full control over first boot actions.

<CtaButton label="Provision with Cloud-Init" link="../vps-management/cloud-init-vps-installation" />