Truobox
VPS 7 min read

How to Reinstall the Operating System on Your VPS

Truobox

Truobox

June 15, 2022

Introduction

Sometimes you need to start over with your VPS: maybe you want to switch operating systems (from Linux to Windows or the other way around), your server has configuration problems that are hard to untangle, or you simply want to wipe everything and begin from a clean install. Whatever the reason, reinstalling your VPS operating system at Truobox is a fast, automated process you can run yourself from the client area.

This guide walks you through how to do it, what to consider before you start, and how long the whole process takes.

Before you reinstall: important considerations

Before kicking off the reinstall, keep the following in mind:

Back up your data

Reinstalling the operating system completely wipes everything on your VPS: files, databases, configurations, installed software, all of it. There’s no undo. If you have important data on your server, make sure you back it up before you proceed.

You can back up your files in several ways:

  • Download them over SFTP to your local machine using Bitvise, FileZilla, or another client.
  • Compress and download them from the VPS terminal.
  • Copy them to external storage such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or a backup server.

Write down your current configuration

If you have services set up on your VPS (web server, database, applications), note the important settings before reinstalling. It’ll save you time when you rebuild everything afterward.

Have your VPS password ready

During the reinstall, the system asks you to enter your VPS password as a security confirmation. Make sure you have it on hand.

Powerful VPS from $4.99/month. Our VPS servers let you reinstall the operating system whenever you want, with multiple Linux and Windows Server options. See VPS plans →

Step 1: Sign in to your client area

Open your browser and go to truobox.com. Click “My Account” at the top of the page to reach the login form.

Enter the email address and password for your client area (not your VPS credentials) and click “Log in”.

Step 2: Go to My Services

Inside the client panel, open the Services → My Services menu. This is where you’ll find every service you’ve ordered. Locate your active VPS and click it to open its management page.

On the VPS management page, the left sidebar shows all the available options: server information, console, reboot, and of course, the reinstall option.

Step 3: Select the reinstall option

On your VPS management page, find and click the “Reinstall” option. A screen opens showing all the operating systems available for your server.

Available operating systems

Depending on your VPS plan, you can choose from a range of distributions and versions:

Linux:

  • Ubuntu (several versions)
  • Debian
  • CentOS
  • AlmaLinux
  • Rocky Linux

Windows:

  • Windows Server (several versions)
  • Windows 10

Each option shows the operating system name and version. Review what’s available and pick the one that best fits your needs.

Step 4: Choose the operating system

Find the operating system you want to install and click the “Reinstall” button next to it. The system will ask for an extra confirmation for security.

How to pick the right operating system

If you’re not sure which one to choose, here’s a quick guide:

  • Ubuntu: the most popular option with the most documentation available. Ideal if you’re new to Linux or planning to host web applications.
  • Debian: stable and lightweight. Excellent for production servers where stability comes first.
  • CentOS / AlmaLinux: enterprise-oriented. A good choice if you need compatibility with commercial software.
  • Windows Server: if you need to run Windows-specific applications like .NET Framework, SQL Server, or desktop software.
  • Windows 10: ideal if you need a Windows desktop environment for remote access with tools like AnyDesk or RDP.

Step 5: Confirm the reinstall

The system asks you to enter your VPS password as a security measure. This prevents accidental reinstalls. Type your password and click “Confirm”.

Once confirmed, the reinstall starts automatically. Don’t close the browser or interrupt the process.

Step 6: Wait for it to finish

Reinstalling the operating system is an automated process that usually takes between 10 and 15 minutes. During that time the system:

  • Formats your VPS storage.
  • Installs the operating system you selected.
  • Configures basic network settings.
  • Assigns your access credentials.

You don’t need to do anything while it runs. Just wait for it to complete.

Progress indicator

In some cases the panel displays a status indicator for the reinstall. If you don’t see one, wait at least 15 minutes before trying to reach the VPS.

Step 7: Verify the reinstall

Once the installation time has passed, check that everything is working:

  1. On your VPS management page, click “noVNC Console”.
  2. The console should open showing the newly installed operating system.
  3. If it’s Linux, you’ll see the login prompt. Enter your credentials.
  4. If it’s Windows, you’ll see the desktop or the sign-in screen.

If the operating system loads correctly, the reinstall was successful.

If something isn’t working

If the console doesn’t show the operating system or the VPS isn’t responding:

  • Wait a few more minutes. Some installations take a bit longer than usual.
  • Reboot the VPS from the management page using the reboot option.
  • Contact support if the VPS is still unresponsive after 30 minutes. The Truobox team will help you sort it out.

After the reinstall

Once you’ve confirmed the new operating system is running, we recommend these first steps:

Change the password

Whether the reinstall generated new credentials or kept the old ones, it’s good practice to change the password to something strong and personal:

# On Linux
passwd

# On Windows (from CMD as administrator)
net user Administrator NewSecurePassword

Update the system

Apply the available security updates:

# Ubuntu / Debian
apt update && apt upgrade -y

# CentOS / AlmaLinux
dnf update -y

On Windows, run Windows Update from Settings.

Set up remote access

Depending on the operating system you installed, configure your preferred access method:

  • Linux: configure SSH (usually already active) and change the default port for better security.
  • Windows: enable Remote Desktop (RDP) or install AnyDesk for remote access.

Install your software

With a clean, updated system, go ahead and install whatever you need: web server, database, control panels, applications, and so on.

Powerful VPS from $4.99/month. Dedicated resources, multiple operating systems, and unlimited reinstalls. Our VPS servers give you full control over your environment. See VPS plans →

Conclusion

Reinstalling your VPS operating system at Truobox is a simple, fully automated process you can run from the client area in a few clicks. In 10 to 15 minutes you’ll have a clean server with the operating system of your choice, ready to configure.

The most important part is to back up all your data before you start, since the reinstall erases everything on the server. Once it’s done, remember to change the password, update the system, and set up your remote access tools.

Being able to switch operating systems whenever you want is one of the big advantages of running a VPS. At Truobox, our VPS servers include multiple Linux and Windows options, unlimited reinstalls, and technical support to help you at every step.