---
title: Change
url: https://docs.vultr.com/reference/vultr-cli/instance/os/change
description: Changes the operating system on an existing Vultr instance, requiring a virtual machine restart.
publish_date: 2025-09-14T03:06:30.628955Z
last_updated: 2025-11-07T17:47:14.738667Z
---

The `vultr-cli instance os change` command allows you to change the operating system of a Vultr virtual machine instance while preserving the primary disk data.

## Usage

```console
$ vultr-cli instance os change <Instance ID> [flags]
```

## Flags
| Shorthand | Long Version | Description |
|-----------|--------------|-------------|
| - | --os | operating system ID you wish to use |