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Deleting & Re-installing a Website

Understand the difference between deleting and re-installing, and learn how to do both safely.

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When you no longer need a website or want to start fresh, you have two options: re-install or delete. These are very different actions with different consequences. Understanding the difference is essential to avoid permanently losing data you might need.

Delete vs Re-install — What's the Difference?

Think of re-installing like clearing your desk to start a new project. The desk (your domain, SSL certificate, DNS settings) stays in place — you are only removing the papers (website files) from the surface. Deleting is like throwing out the entire desk. Everything goes — the domain configuration, files, and settings are all removed.

Re-install Delete
What it does Clears the public_html folder so you can start fresh Removes the domain, all files, and server configuration permanently
Domain kept? Yes No
SSL certificates kept? Yes No
DNS zone kept? Yes No (must delete separately)
Mail domain kept? Yes Yes (must delete separately)
Reversible? Only if you have a backup No
When to re-install Re-installing is the right choice when you want a fresh website but want to keep the domain, SSL certificate, and DNS settings. For example, if you built a test site and now want to launch the real one, re-install clears the old files so you can start over without losing the domain configuration.
When to delete Delete is only for when you no longer need the domain at all — for example, you sold the domain or switched to a different hosting provider. If there is any chance you will need the domain again, consider re-installing instead.

Re-installing a Website

Re-installing clears your website's public_html folder and gives you a clean slate. It is like formatting a hard drive — everything goes away so you can start fresh. However, re-installing does not remove SSL certificates, DNS records, or mail domains. Those remain intact.

This is irreversible! Once you re-install, all files in public_html are permanently deleted. Make sure to back up any important files, databases, and configurations before proceeding.
1

Back up everything

Before re-installing, download all your website files via FTP or File Manager. Export any databases from the DB tab. Save configuration files like .env or wp-config.php if you need them later. A backup is your safety net.

2

Go to the Web tab

Click the Web tab in the top navigation bar to see your list of web domains.

3

Click the domain

Click the domain name you want to re-install. This opens the domain's detail page.

4

Click "Re-install"

Look for the Re-install button (or equivalent option) on the domain page. Click it. A confirmation dialog will appear warning you that this deletes everything in public_html.

5

Confirm and proceed

Read the warning carefully, then confirm. The system will clear the public_html folder. You can now upload new files or use Quick Install App to set up a fresh website.

What is NOT affected by re-installing
  • SSL certificates — your HTTPS configuration stays intact
  • DNS zone — domain resolution continues working
  • Mail domain — email addresses and inboxes are unaffected
  • Databases — these must be deleted separately if you want to remove them
The Re-install button located on the domain detail page.

Deleting a Domain Completely

If you are certain you no longer need a domain, deleting it removes the domain configuration and all associated files from the server. This is a permanent action.

This permanently removes all files, emails, and DNS records! Once you delete a domain, you cannot undo it. You would need to add the domain again from scratch and set everything up again.
1

Back up anything you might need

Download all website files, export databases, and save email data if needed. After deletion, none of this data will be accessible.

2

Go to the Web tab

Click the Web tab to see your domains list.

3

Click the domain to open it

Click the domain name you want to delete to open its settings page.

4

Click "Delete"

Click the Delete button. A dialog will appear asking what else to delete along with the domain.

5

Choose what to also delete

The dialog typically offers options to also delete:

  • DNS zone — removes the DNS records for this domain
  • Mail domain — removes all email accounts and data for this domain

Check the boxes for anything you want removed. Be careful — deleting the mail domain deletes all email data permanently.

6

Confirm deletion

Read the warning one last time. Once you confirm, the domain configuration, all website files, and any checked associated services will be deleted permanently.

The delete confirmation dialog showing options to also remove DNS zone and mail domain.

What Happens to Your Data After Deletion

When you delete a web domain in Havenoro CP:

  • Website files: All files in /home/username/web/domain.com/ are removed immediately. This includes public_html, logs, SSL certificates, and any backups stored in the domain's directory.
  • Server configuration: The web server (Nginx/Apache) virtual host configuration is deleted. The domain will no longer respond to HTTP/HTTPS requests.
  • FTP accounts: Any FTP accounts associated with this domain are removed.
  • SSL certificates: Let's Encrypt certificates for this domain are deleted.
  • DNS zone: Only deleted if you checked the option. If not, the DNS zone remains and must be deleted separately from the DNS tab.
  • Mail domain: Only deleted if you checked the option. If not, email continues to work for this domain.
  • Databases: Not affected by domain deletion. You must delete databases separately from the DB tab.
Always back up first Before either action — re-install or delete — always back up your files and databases. You cannot recover data after these operations. A simple FTP download of your public_html folder and a database export from phpMyAdmin takes just a few minutes and saves hours of regret.

Next Steps

After re-installing or deleting, here is what to do next:

  • After re-installing: Upload new files or use Quick Install App to set up a fresh website. Re-create any databases you need.
  • After deleting with DNS/mail kept: Go to the DNS tab to manage orphaned DNS zones, and the Mail tab to manage orphaned mail domains. You may want to delete these too if they are no longer needed.
  • Starting fresh: Follow the Creating a Website tutorial to add a new domain.
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