How to Reimage Your Self-Managed VPS to Rocky
Reimaging your Self-Managed VPS is like starting fresh with your VPS. It wipes your existing operating system and replaces it with Rocky. It wipes out everything on the server so you can rebuild in a clean, stable environment.
When you choose to reimage, the system will automatically install the latest available version of Rocky. Unlike during the initial purchase, there isn’t an option to select a specific OS version.
Why Reimage a Server?
Reimaging is usually the best option when starting over is faster and more effective than troubleshooting. You might consider it if:
- Your server has ongoing errors that are difficult to fix.
- You want to remove malware or security risks.
- Performance has noticeably slowed down.
- You’re preparing the server for a new project.
- Your current setup no longer fits your needs.
Advantages of Reimaging
Switching to Rocky comes with several practical benefits:
- Clean slate – Removes clutter, unused files, and broken configurations.
- Better performance – Starts fresh with an optimized system.
- Improved security – Clears out hidden vulnerabilities or threats.
- Reliable environment – Rocky is a stable, enterprise-grade OS.
- Long-term support – Regular updates suitable for production use.
How to Reimage Your VPS to Rocky in your Bluehost Portal
Follow these steps to start the process:
Since everything will be deleted, backing up your data is critical:
- Choose the operating system that best fits your workload by reviewing our guide on comparing OS options based on use case.
- Changing the server image will permanently erase all data and settings on this VPS. This action cannot be undone.
- Full system backup – A complete copy of your server.
- Data backup – Important files like: Website content, Databases, Emails, and Custom scripts.
- Log in to your Bluehost Portal.
- Click Hosting in the left-hand menu.
- Click the Manage button on the Self-Managed VPS package.
- Click the Reimage button.
- In the Plain OS tab. Find Rocky and click Select.
- To confirm, please choose the version you want to install, type "reimage" and then click Proceed to start the process.
- Wait a few moments while the installation completes.
- Once completed, you will see Rocky (version of the application) listed in the Server Image section.
After Reimaging
Once the process is complete, take a moment to make sure everything is working as expected:
- Access your server and confirm it’s online
- Reinstall any required applications
- Restore your backups
- Test your websites and services
- Double-check configurations
Summary
Reimaging a Self-Managed VPS completely resets the server by replacing the existing system with the latest version of Rocky. This process deletes all data, applications, and settings, making it ideal for resolving major issues, improving performance or security, or preparing the server for a new project. Proper planning, including backups and noting installed applications, is essential before reimaging.