---
title: "Managing Server Images | Hostman Docs"
description: "Learn how to create and manage server images on Hostman. Follow our step-by-step guide to ensure that your cloud infrastructure is protected."
---

> For the complete documentation index for AI agents, see [llms.txt](https://hostman.com/llms.txt).

Using server images, you can:

-   Upload your images to the dashboard.
-   Create images of your Hostman servers.
-   Deploy new servers using images in the dashboard.
-   Download the images and then deploy servers at other cloud providers.

You can also use images as a way to backup data. When you create an image of a Hostman server, it creates a complete copy of your cloud server  in `Qcow2` format, including all operating system settings, software and all server content. 

Unlike backups and snapshots created in the Hostman panel, images are stored separately from the server and will not be lost when the server is deleted. You can always access them through the **Images** section.

> [!NOTE]
> Images are available for servers located in Amsterdam and Frankfurt

Images are provided for free.

If the balance runs out and the account is blocked, images will be deleted in 7 days.

## Create an Image

> [!NOTE]
> You cannot create a server image if there is a snapshot created for the server.

1.  Go to the **Cloud Servers** section and click on the server.
2.  In the **Images** tab, click on the plus sign next to the disk.

![03ba4fea D35e 4d92 8e49 Dfd530216147](https://content.hostman.com/assets/a8344243-3798-406c-b676-7f9a52433ba2.png?width=1532&height=802)

3.  Enter an image name and comment, if necessary, to make it easier to navigate the list of images.
4.  Click **Create**.

The image will be created in a couple of minutes.

You can find all the images created on the account in the **Cloud Servers** → **Custom Images** section of your dashboard.

![Cloud Servers 2026 08 20 11 47](https://content.hostman.com/assets/c47f17cf-03a9-4509-a32b-8f197939b1e8.png?width=1575&height=829)

## Download an Image

To download an image:

1.  Go to the **Cloud Servers** → **[Custom Images](https://hostman.com/my/images)** section.
2.  Hover over the image and click **Download**. The image file will be downloaded to your device.

![123](https://content.hostman.com/assets/31a6b40d-fffc-41c6-b378-73ddb3f19c14.png?width=1543&height=867)

You can also download an image from the server’s page.

1.  Go to the **Cloud Servers** section.
2.  Click on the server.
3.  In the **Images** tab, click on the **Created images: N** link.

![Fbc3f115 2e41 4544 8d4b 864103341d10](https://content.hostman.com/assets/49178071-c0d8-4ee6-9f0f-0ab19549b981.png?width=1534&height=812)

4.  Hover over the image and click **Download**. The file will begin downloading to your device.
    

![61b30a74 B3da 439b 99e6 043135745a08](https://content.hostman.com/assets/7f4820aa-0891-4d55-8c62-5bce889844a8.png?width=1555&height=656)

## **Move an Image to Another Region**

You can move an image to a different location to create servers from it there.

1.  Make sure [you have created an image](https://hostman.com/docs/cloud-servers/images/#create-an-image) of the server you need.
    
2.  Go to **Cloud Servers** → **[Custom Images](https://hostman.com/my/images)**.
    
3.  Click the three dots next to the image and select **Edit region**.
    

![Cloud Servers 2026 07 02 12 35](https://content.hostman.com/assets/2cc7c886-a9d7-4017-88d7-5d392ae67ff0.png?width=1565&height=824)

4.  Choose the new location and click **Save**.
    

The image will be moved to the selected region within a few minutes. After that, you can [create servers from this image](https://hostman.com/docs/cloud-servers/images/#create-a-server-from-an-image) in the new location.

## Upload a Custom Image

You can upload an image from your computer or via URL. 

The image should be in one of the following formats: `iso`, `vmdk`, `vhd`, `vhdx`, `vdi`, `raw`, `img` and `qcow2`.

The maximum file size is 500 GB.

To upload a custom image to your dashboard:

1.  Go to the **Cloud Servers** → **[Custom Images](https://hostman.com/my/images)** section.
2.  Click **Upload image**.
3.  Select the region where you want to store the image.
4.  Select the OS so that the logo displays later in the **Images** section, for easier navigation.
5.  Select the image file on your machine or enter an URL.
6.  Click **Upload**.

![B26ad3c7 E57a 4dfc Bca0 Ed7627b63272](https://content.hostman.com/assets/252ee5a1-8dfd-4b70-a1f1-64445fcbd3c3.png?width=1547&height=868)

You can also upload images when creating a new server or reinstalling an existing one:

![Create Server 2026 08 20 11 43](https://content.hostman.com/assets/f5018f37-1217-4c75-8dd5-234097739fa4.png?width=753&height=542)

## Create a Server From an Image

To create a server using an image:

1.  Go to **Cloud Servers** and click **Create Server**.
    
2.  In the **Custom images** tab, select an existing image or click **Add new image** to upload a new one.
    

![Create Server 2026 08 20 11 43](https://content.hostman.com/assets/f5018f37-1217-4c75-8dd5-234097739fa4.png?width=753&height=542)

3.  Complete creating the server.
    

You can also create servers from the **Cloud Servers** → **[Custom Images](https://hostman.com/my/images)** section. Hover over the image and click **Create server from image**.

![A202ea24 3933 4b4b B71c Da4737bad5c3](https://content.hostman.com/assets/d31b845c-7892-4975-840d-e5bb658127ed.png?width=1545&height=866)

You will be redirected to the server creation page to complete the order. 

## Reinstall a Server From an Image

You can reinstall a server using any of the images available on your account.

1.  Go to the **Cloud Servers** section and click on the server.
2.  In the **Plan** tab, click **Reinstall**. 
3.  Select the image in the **Custom image** tab.

![3fc72d81 21c0 47b2 847d 1991924c9ce1](https://content.hostman.com/assets/a25c0c15-5c8e-4a5a-91f0-379f6c0b9f0f.png?width=1545&height=716)

## Upload an Image to Google Drive

You can upload your server images from the Hostman dashboard to your Google Drive.

> [!NOTE]
> Before proceeding, make sure that you have enough free space on your Google Drive, otherwise, the upload will be interrupted mid-stream.
>
> Google Drive has a daily traffic limit of 750 GB. Once you reach this limit, you won't be able to upload anything to Google Drive for the rest of the day.

1.  Go to the **Cloud Servers** → **[Custom Images](https://hostman.com/my/images)** section.
    
2.  Hover over the image and click **Upload to external storage**.
    

![4839e06e 8446 45c9 9071 E8df4684e61e](https://content.hostman.com/assets/54d0d355-ebe3-4463-bccf-36c15efdc0b3.png?width=1543&height=866)

3.  Change the file name if necessary and click **Upload**.
    
4.  Select the Google account and confirm the download.
    
5.  The first time you try to upload an image, you will need to allow access to your Google Drive. Simply follow the suggested steps. Afterwards the download will start.
    

You can also upload an image to Google Drive from a server’s page.

1.  Go to **Cloud Servers** and click on the server.
2.  In the **Images** tab, click on the **Created images: N** link
3.  Hover over the image and click **Upload to external drive**.

The remaining steps are the same as when uploading from the **Images** section.