--- title: "How to reinstall Windows on a VPS from the control panel | StreetHosting" description: "Reinstall Windows Server on your VPS from the panel: when it makes sense, what to back up, how to pick a template, how long it takes and what to do after." url: "https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps" type: "page" language: "en-US" --- VPS · 3 min · Intermediate Published on Jul 22, 2026 · Updated on Jul 22, 2026 # Reinstall Windows on a VPS from the control panel Frozen system, compromised server or just a wish to start fresh. Reinstalling from the control panel takes minutes, but it wipes everything. Here is how to do it without losing anything. By [Equipe StreetHosting](https://streethosting.com.br/en/autores#equipe-streethosting) · StreetHosting infrastructure and support team [Windows and RDP](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/windows) Summarize with: [](https://chat.openai.com/?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Freinstall-windows-on-vps.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "ChatGPT") [](https://claude.ai/new?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Freinstall-windows-on-vps.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. 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"Perplexity") Share: [](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=How%20to%20reinstall%20Windows%20on%20a%20VPS%20from%20the%20control%20panel&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Freinstall-windows-on-vps "Share on X") [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Freinstall-windows-on-vps "Share on Facebook") [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Freinstall-windows-on-vps "Share on LinkedIn") [](https://wa.me/?text=How%20to%20reinstall%20Windows%20on%20a%20VPS%20from%20the%20control%20panel%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Freinstall-windows-on-vps "Share on WhatsApp") For agents: Copy as Markdown [.md](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps.md) [Previous VPS graphical console: access your Windows VPS when RDP fails](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-vps-console-without-rdp) [Next Windows Server or Linux VPS: which should you choose?](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps) In this guide 6 sections * [When reinstalling makes sense](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#quando-vale) * [What to do before](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#antes) * [How to reinstall](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#como-fazer) * [What to do after](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#depois) * [Switching between Windows and Linux](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#trocar-de-sistema) * [Next steps](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#proximos-passos) Quick answer To **reinstall Windows on your VPS**, save everything that matters, open the service page in the client area, go to the operating system install option in the control panel, choose the Windows Server template and confirm. The process erases the entire disk and takes a few minutes. When it finishes, the panel shows a new password for the `Administrator` user. ## When reinstalling makes sense[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#quando-vale) Reinstalling is not giving up. On a server, starting from scratch is usually faster and more reliable than hunting for the source of a problem that built up over months of manual changes. * The system became unstable after many installs and uninstalls. * You suspect the server was compromised. * You want to change the Windows Server version. * You want to migrate from Windows to Linux or the other way around. * You are handing the project to someone else and prefer to deliver it clean. Do not clean a compromised server by hand. Even if you remove what you found, hidden access is often left behind. Reinstall, change every password and rebuild the firewall rules from scratch. ## What to do before[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#antes) * Copy working files and folders off the VPS * Export databases and check that the exported file opens * Write down the ports, services and programs you will need to reinstall * Record the firewall rules that were in use * Confirm you have the licenses and keys for the installed programs * Make sure the most recent backup is intact A backup nobody has tested is not a backup. Before you press the reinstall button, open at least one file of each type you copied to confirm it came through whole. ## How to reinstall[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#como-fazer) 1. Sign in to the client area and open the VPS service page. 2. In the management panel, find the option to install or reinstall the operating system. 3. Choose the Windows Server template in the version you want. 4. Confirm the operation and read any data loss warning carefully. 5. Follow the progress and, if you want to see the system screen during boot, open the graphical console. 6. When it finishes, note the IP and the new password shown in the panel. | Step | What happens | Typical time | | -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | ---------------- | | Confirmation | The VPS is shut down | Seconds | | Writing the template | The disk is formatted and the system is copied | A few minutes | | First boot | Windows finishes its setup | A few minutes | | Access available | RDP starts responding | Right after boot | ## What to do after[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#depois) The order matters. Installing your programs before updating and securing the system leaves the machine exposed in exactly the window when it has no defenses configured yet. 1. Connect over RDP with the new password from the panel. 2. Change the Administrator password to one of your own. 3. Install the pending Windows Update patches. 4. Rebuild the firewall rules, starting with remote access. 5. Only then reinstall your programs and restore your data. 6. Set up backups before you consider the server ready. ## Switching between Windows and Linux[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#trocar-de-sistema) The same install screen lists both Linux and Windows templates. Switching operating system families just means choosing a different template, with the same backup precautions. What changes is everything after: how you connect, which tools you use and how many resources it consumes. If you are unsure which to choose, the comparison is in [Windows Server or Linux on a VPS](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps). For your first Linux login, see [accessing your VPS for the first time over SSH](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time). ## Next steps[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#proximos-passos) With the new system up, follow the walkthrough on [creating a Windows VPS with RDP access](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/create-windows-vps-rdp) for the first precautions and lock down security with [protecting RDP against attacks](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/secure-rdp-windows-vps). In this guide * [When reinstalling makes sense](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#quando-vale) * [What to do before](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#antes) * [How to reinstall](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#como-fazer) * [What to do after](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#depois) * [Switching between Windows and Linux](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#trocar-de-sistema) * [Next steps](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/reinstall-windows-on-vps#proximos-passos) ## Frequently asked questions Does reinstalling erase my data? Yes, completely. The process writes a fresh template over the VPS's entire disk. Anything you did not copy off the server beforehand is lost and cannot be recovered afterward. How long does the reinstall take? It usually takes a few minutes, because the system is written from a ready-made template. The first Windows boot after that takes a bit longer before remote access becomes available. Can I switch from Windows to Linux in the panel? Yes. Just pick a Linux template on the same install screen. The switch formats the disk just the same, so the same backup precautions apply. My server was hacked. Is cleaning it enough or do I need to reinstall? On a compromised server, the safe route is to reinstall. Manually removing what you found does not guarantee nothing was left behind, and hidden traces let the intruder come back. Next step See VPS plans Root VPS in Brazil with NVMe and Anti-DDoS. [See VPS plans](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps) [See Ryzen VPS Ryzen 9 9950X VPS in São Paulo with root access, NVMe and gamer Anti-DDoS.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/ryzen) [See Xeon VPS Xeon VPS for steady workloads, automation and long-running projects.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/xeon) ## Related guides [VPS Beginner How to create a Windows VPS with RDP access From the approved order to the first Windows screen open on your own computer. Learn how to install Windows Server on the VPS from the control panel and get your RDP login details. 4 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/create-windows-vps-rdp) [VPS Intermediate VPS graphical console: access your Windows VPS when RDP fails You locked yourself out with the firewall, or forgot the port you changed. The panel console shows the machine's screen by another route and saves the day. 3 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-vps-console-without-rdp) [VPS Beginner Windows Server or Linux VPS: which should you choose? Your choice of operating system decides how much you pay, how much memory is left over and how you manage the machine. Here is when each one makes sense. 3 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/windows-server-vs-linux-vps) [← Back to the Guide Center](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides)