You can deploy Windows on the ECS instance by using an image that integrates the OS and applications. This topic describes how to deploy Windows on an ECS instance by changing its image.

Prerequisites

You must have registered an Alibaba Cloud account before you follow the instructions provided in the tutorial. If not, create a new Alibaba Cloud account first.

Background information

You can deploy the application environment on an ECS instance manually or by using an image from Alibaba Cloud Marketplace based on your business needs. Images in Alibaba Cloud Marketplace integrate the OS and applications. We recommend that you use images from the Marketplace to deploy Windows.

You can select Windows images from Alibaba Cloud Marketplace to create ECS instances. For more information, see Create an instance. You can also switch the existing operating system of an ECS instance by changing the system disk to an image in Alibaba Cloud Marketplace. The procedure in the tutorial applies to existing ECS instances. You can deploy Windows by changing images from Alibaba Cloud Marketplace. The tutorial only describes the general procedure for using an Alibaba Cloud Marketplace image. An image software installation package generally includes an operation guide. For more information about installation and configuration, see Image Operation Guide.
Note
  • You cannot install or deploy virtualization software such as KVM, Xen, and VMware on ECS.
  • When the system disk of an ECS instance is changed, its data disk is not affected. We recommend that you back up your personal data on the system disk to the data disk or elsewhere by using other methods.
  • When the system disk of an ECS instance is changed, all data on the system disk is deleted. Automatic snapshots backed up by ECS might also be deleted depending on your settings. For more information, see Delete automatic snapshots when releasing a disk. Ensure that you have backed up your data before changing the system disk.
  • The IP address of the ECS instance remains unchanged even when the system disk is changed.

Procedure

  1. Log on to the ECS console.
  2. In the left-side navigation pane, choose Instances & Images > Instances.
  3. Change the system disk of the ECS instance.
    1. In the Actions column of the Instances page, choose More > Replace System Disk.
    2. In the Replace System Disk dialog box that appears, click OK.Considerations for changing the system disk
    3. In the Image Type section, select Marketplace Image, and click Select from image market (including operating system).
    4. In the left-side navigation pane, select Image Category or enter the image that you want to use and click Search. Select the target image and click Apply.
    5. Set the logon password for the ECS instance. Enter the password in the Login Password field and enter the password again in the Confirm Password field.
    6. In the lower-right corner of the Replace System Disk page, select ECS Terms of Service and Image Product Terms of Use and click Confirm to Change.

Result

When the message The system disk has been replaced is displayed, the operating system of your ECS instance is successfully replaced with the Alibaba Cloud Marketplace image. Click Back to Instance List to return to the Instances page. After you log on to the ECS instance, you can use its application environment.System disk replaced