Operating System Templates

Machines are high-performing computing for scaling AI applications.

Paperspace includes several operating systems (OS) options that you can use as a template to provision compute machines. These OS templates are managed by the Paperspace team. You can also create user-managed Custom Templates.

Templates mostly look and feel like stock operating systems though they are lightly customized to include a limited set of software by default (for example, GPU drivers). Management tools are also installed by default. These tools are used to perform certain functions such as adding your SSH Keys during provisioning. While it is safe to remove these tools, you may lose access to certain features.

Some OS templates are server-only (only accessible from a shell for example, SSH) while others include a full desktop environment. These options are demarcated below.

Note

Operating system templates are subject to change.

Linux

• Ubuntu 22.04 (Server)
• Ubuntu 20.04 (Server)
• Ubuntu 20.04 (Desktop)
• Ubuntu 18.04 (Server)
• CentOS 7 (Server)

Windows

Note

As of 1 July 2024, Windows templates are retired and as a result unavailable to new Paperspace users. Users who joined Paperspace prior to this date can still start, manage, and create Window template machines.

• Windows 10 (Server 2022) - Licensed
• Windows 10 (Pro) - BYOL (Bring Your Own License)
• Windows 2012 R2 Datacenter Edition - Licensed

If you choose to bring your own license (BYOL), you are solely responsible for the compliance and management of your own license(s).

Public

Public OS templates include software pre-installed by third-parties.

ML-in-a-Box (Desktop)

A Linux server with a suite of Machine Learning software packages included. See more info on GitHub.

• ML-in-a-Box (Ubuntu 22.04) [H100 and A100-80G only]
• ML-in-a-Box (Ubuntu 20.04)

Fast.ai

A Linux desktop template with the Fast.ai learning module included.