> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How to Set Up Your New VPS > Install the operating system on a new FREAKHOSTING VPS: choose a name, hostname, timezone, operating system, swap space and SSH keys, then click Install. A new VPS starts empty. The first time you open it, the panel shows the **Server Setup** screen so you can choose its operating system. It takes about five minutes. > **Difficulty** > > Beginner > **Time** > > 5 minutes > [!TIP] > > Want to log in with an SSH key instead of a password? [Add your key](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-manage-ssh-keys.md) before you start, so you can pick it during setup. *** ## Open the setup screen Go to [**Servers**](https://cloud.freakhosting.com/servers) and click **Manage** next to the new server. While it's waiting for an operating system, it opens straight on **Server Setup**. ![Server Setup screen with Name and Random button, optional Hostname, Timezone, and the Operating System list](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/ox3lQ9Dky5BiwNjw/images/vps-panel/setup-top.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=ox3lQ9Dky5BiwNjw\&q=85\&s=d7f266c67e15eaa4e35877a587be7664) The Server Setup screen *** ## Fill in the details **1. Name** Type a name that helps you recognise the server in your account, such as `web-server`. Click **Random** to have one made up for you. **2. Hostname (optional)** If your server needs a proper hostname, enter it here, for example `server.example.com`. You can leave it blank. **3. Timezone** Choose the timezone the server's clock should use. *** ## Choose an operating system Click a family to open its list, then click the version you want. A green tick shows your choice. ![Debian versions listed as cards, with Debian 13 (Trixie) Minimal outlined in green and ticked](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/ox3lQ9Dky5BiwNjw/images/vps-panel/setup-os.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=ox3lQ9Dky5BiwNjw\&q=85\&s=bfbc122db8c6f90179f2e100516daaf9) Debian 13 selected | Family | Versions offered | | :- | :- | | **Ubuntu** | Ubuntu Server 18.04, 20.04, 22.04 and 24.04 LTS Minimal | | **Debian** | Debian 10, 11, 12 and 13 Minimal, Debian 11 Desktop, Debian 12 ext4 | | **AlmaLinux** | 8 Minimal, 9 Latest, 9 Desktop, 10 Latest, plus Kitten and x86-64-v2 builds | | **Rocky Linux** | 8 Minimal, 9 Minimal, 9 Desktop, 10 Latest | | **CentOS** | 7 Minimal, Stream 8 Minimal, Stream 9 Minimal | | **Fedora** | 34 to 42 Minimal | | **FreeBSD** | 12.2 to 14.3 Minimal | | **Alpine Linux** | 3.15, 3.19 | | **Windows** | Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025 Standard | | **Other** | openSUSE Leap 15, Oracle Linux 8 and 9, CloudLinux 9, Arch Linux | > [!NOTE] > > Not sure? **Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS** or **Debian 13** are good, well-supported choices for most projects. **Desktop** versions add a graphical desktop: a `desktop-user` account is created and its password is emailed to you. *** ## Choose swap space and SSH keys Once you pick a system, two more sections appear. * **Swap Space** is backup memory on the disk that keeps the server stable if it runs out of RAM. **512 MB** is selected by default. Choose **None** or up to **1.5 GB**. The space you pick is taken from your disk. * **SSH Keys** lists the keys saved in your account. Click a key to select it (it's outlined in green). Selected keys are added to the **root** user. ![Swap Space options from None to 1.5 GB with 512 MB selected, and an SSH key card selected with a green tick](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/ox3lQ9Dky5BiwNjw/images/vps-panel/setup-swap-ssh.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=ox3lQ9Dky5BiwNjw\&q=85\&s=e9cd9aa1c49aff8a27fd515746fe4ae8) Swap space and SSH keys If you don't select a key, an orange **No SSH Keys Selected** box explains that password login will be turned on and your root password emailed to you once the server is built. ![Orange No SSH Keys Selected warning explaining password authentication will be enabled and the root password emailed](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/ox3lQ9Dky5BiwNjw/images/vps-panel/setup-no-ssh-warning.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=ox3lQ9Dky5BiwNjw\&q=85\&s=d7a5b30f1d2fbfa8312a31ca6d7e67b4) No SSH key selected *** ## Advanced options (optional) Click **Advanced Options** to see two more settings. Most people can leave them alone. * **Virtual Network Computing (VNC)**: turns on the [VNC console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-enable-and-use-vnc-console-access.md) during the install. You don't need it; you can turn it on later. * **IPv4 Public DNS Resolvers**: choose the DNS servers your VPS uses. **System Default** is fine. See [DNS resolvers](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-change-ipv4-public-dns-resolvers.md). ![Advanced section with a VNC switch and Primary and Secondary DNS resolver menus, above the Install with Debian 13 (Trixie) button](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/ox3lQ9Dky5BiwNjw/images/vps-panel/setup-advanced.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=ox3lQ9Dky5BiwNjw\&q=85\&s=99db4d0ad65c8f838b828deaa798648b) Advanced options *** ## Install **1. Click Install** Click the blue **Install with …** button at the bottom of the page. **2. Confirm** Click **Install Now**. If you didn't select an SSH key, the panel asks *Are you sure you want to install the server without any SSH keys?* instead: click **Install Without**. ![Dialog asking Are you sure you want to install Debian 13 (Trixie) on this server? with Cancel and Install Now buttons](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/ox3lQ9Dky5BiwNjw/images/vps-panel/install-confirm.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=ox3lQ9Dky5BiwNjw\&q=85\&s=81d0a1a6da6fbbaab6ffc80d5b852c2f) Confirm the install **3. Wait for the install** A progress window ticks off each step, from *Gathering build configuration* to *Booting server*. It usually takes a minute or two. ![Terminal-style progress window with ticked steps and Booting server in progress](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/ox3lQ9Dky5BiwNjw/images/vps-panel/install-progress.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=ox3lQ9Dky5BiwNjw\&q=85\&s=f8d1988602baf704fe6b0e49a7e3d2a8) Install progress > [!TIP] > > When it's finished, the server page opens with a green **RUNNING** badge, and the operating system shows on the **Overview** tab. Log in over SSH with your key, or with the root password from your email. *** ## Next steps > **[Tour your server page](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/a-tour-of-your-server-page.md)** > > Learn what each tab does. > **[Turn on protection](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-protect-your-server-from-accidental-rebuilds.md)** > > Stop accidental rebuilds. > **[Schedule backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-schedule-and-restore-backups.md)** > > Keep a copy of your server. > **[Set reverse DNS](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-configure-reverse-dns.md)** > > Needed for sending email. *** > [!NOTE] > > ### Need Extra Help? > > If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist: > > * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website. > * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) > * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting) > * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com) > [!TIP] > > ### Save on Your Hosting > > Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month! *** **Last Updated:** October 2026 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.