Back to BlogYou can deploy an EDIS Global VPS with a Linux or Windows image, or install a compatible operating system manually from an ISO. Start with the requirements of your application: which operating systems it supports, the resources it needs and who will maintain it.
This guide helps you choose an installation approach. For the current version-by-version catalogue and the differences between ordering and reinstalling, use our operating-system availability guide.
View available operating systems
Choose the OS your application supports
The Linux image catalogue includes Debian, Ubuntu LTS, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CentOS Stream and Arch Linux. Check your application's documentation before choosing a distribution and release. Familiarity with its package manager, security updates and administration tools will make ongoing maintenance easier.
Choose Windows when your workload requires Windows applications or a Windows desktop accessed through RDP. The documented Windows options include Windows Server 2025, 2022 and 2019, with Windows 10 and Windows 11 additionally available in the dashboard. These are evaluation images; selecting an image does not include a paid Windows licence. You are responsible for the licences required by your operating system and applications.
Shopping cart and dashboard: different selections
The shopping cart offers a shorter list for the initial deployment. After ordering, the VPS dashboard's Auto-Install section provides a broader selection, including additional Windows images, older releases and archived builds. An image missing from the cart may therefore still be available for reinstallation.
Availability is different from vendor support. A legacy image may be useful for compatibility testing, but its presence in the dashboard does not mean it still receives standard security updates. For a new production deployment, check the vendor's support lifecycle and any extended-support requirements before selecting an older release.
Automatic installation and Cloud-Init
Auto-Install deploys a prepared operating-system image. Cloud-Init handles initial configuration on compatible images, such as users, SSH keys, packages and startup scripts. It can help you repeat the same setup across several VPS instances.
Cloud-Init is not a universal operating-system installer: the image must support it and work with the VPS platform. Follow the EDIS Global workflow for compatible images and configuration.
Read the Cloud-Init setup guide
Manual installation from an ISO
Use a manual installation when you need a compatible system or appliance that is not offered as an automatic image. You can mount an available ISO or upload your own and complete the installation through the VNC console. Check the guest's hardware, boot-mode, driver and licensing requirements first.
An ISO is installation or recovery media, whereas an automatic image is a prepared system. A Windows Server ISO, for example, does not imply that the same version is available in Auto-Install. Rescue tools and password-reset media also serve a different purpose from a normal OS installation.
Upload and install from your own ISO
Prepare before you reinstall
Back up the files, databases and configuration you need before starting a reinstall: the installation process replaces the existing system and can erase its data. Confirm that you can restore your backup, and keep your access details available.
After deployment, apply updates, secure administrator access and the firewall, and configure backups. EDIS Global provides the VPS infrastructure and installation tools; maintaining the operating system and applications remains your responsibility.