Offshore-Servers provides a variety of OS templates for your VPS, giving you flexibility in what operating system environment to run. When reinstalling (or initially provisioning) your VPS, you likely saw a menu of OS choices. Here’s what you need to know about templates and how to make the most of them:

• Linux Distributions: Common Linux templates include Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, AlmaLinux, Fedora, etc., often in multiple versions. Choose a template that fits your software requirements. For instance, if you need the latest features, a newer Ubuntu or Debian may be ideal; for stability in hosting control panels, AlmaLinux or an LTS Ubuntu might be recommended. The templates come pre-configured with a minimal installation of that OS to get you started quickly.
• Windows Server: If your plan allows Windows, templates for Windows Server 2016/2019/2022 might be available. Note that Windows templates might require you to provide a license or the host may include it (typically, Windows licensing costs extra). Installing Windows from a template saves a lot of time compared to manual install via ISO.
• Control Panel Templates: Some providers offer templates that include popular control panels or software stacks pre-installed (for example, a LAMP stack or WordPress image, or cPanel installed on CentOS). Check if Offshore-Servers has any such templates if you want a ready-to-use environment. If not, you will install software manually after OS setup, or consider using Softaculous (for web apps) if on a panel.
• Custom ISO: Advanced users might wonder about using custom OS images (ISO files). Virtualizor does allow mounting custom ISOs and installing manually, but this feature might or might not be enabled for clients. If you need an OS that’s not in the template list or a custom installation method, you might have to request support to mount an ISO or enable an “ISO” feature in the panel. For most users, the provided templates cover the needed operating systems.
• Keeping OS Updated: Whichever template you choose, remember it’s your responsibility (if unmanaged) to update and maintain the OS. The template is just a starting point. After the first boot, update the system packages (e.g., run apt update && apt upgrade on Debian/Ubuntu, or use yum update on CentOS). This ensures you have the latest security patches.

In summary, OS templates make deployment of your offshore VPS fast and easy. You are just a couple clicks away from a fresh Linux or Windows environment. Choose the template that best suits your application’s needs, and don’t hesitate to reinstall with a different template if you change your mind later. The flexibility of VPS means you can switch OS relatively quickly whenever required.