# Change the Amazon Linux release when you create an EMR cluster
<a name="emr-custom-ami-change-al-release"></a>

When you launch a cluster using Amazon EMR 6.6.0 or higher, it automatically uses the latest Amazon Linux 2 release that has been validated for the default Amazon EMR AMI. You can specify a different Amazon Linux release for your cluster with the Amazon EMR console or the AWS CLI. 

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#### [ Amazon EMR console ]

**To change the Amazon Linux release when you create a cluster from the console**

1. Sign in to the AWS Management Console, and open the Amazon EMR console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/emr](https://console.aws.amazon.com/emr).

1. Under **EMR on EC2** in the left navigation pane, choose **Clusters**, and then choose **Create cluster**.

1. For **EMR version**, choose **emr-6.6.0** or higher. 

1. Under **Operating system options**, choose **Amazon Linux release**, uncheck the **Automatically apply latest Amazon Linux updates** check box, and choose a desired **Amazon Linux release**.

1. Choose any other options that apply to your cluster. 

1. To launch your cluster, choose **Create cluster**.

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#### [ AWS CLI ]

**To change the Amazon Linux release when you create a cluster with the AWS CLI**
+ Use the `--os-release-label` parameter to specify the **Amazon Linux Release** when you run the `aws emr` [create-cluster](https://awscli.amazonaws.com/v2/documentation/api/latest/reference/emr/create-cluster.html) command.

  ```
  aws emr create-cluster --name "Cluster with Different Amazon Linux Release" \  
  --os-release-label 2.0.20210312.1 \
  --release-label emr-6.6.0 --use-default-roles \ 
  --instance-count 2 --instance-type m5.xlarge
  ```

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