Using the File Manager

The cPanel File Manager provides a web-based interface for managing your website files without needing FTP software. You can upload, download, edit, delete, rename, and organise files and folders directly from your browser.

Please note: Screens and options may vary slightly depending on your cPanel version and hosting plan.

Accessing the File Manager

1. Log in to your cPanel account.
2. In the Files section, click File Manager.
3. By default, the File Manager opens in your home directory (/home/yourusername/).

Key Directories

• public_html — Your main website's document root. Files placed here are accessible at https://yourdomain.com/.
• mail — Contains email data. Generally, do not modify files here manually.
• etc — Configuration files for your account.
• tmp — Temporary files.
• logs — Access and error logs.

Common Tasks

Uploading Files

1. Navigate to the destination folder.
2. Click Upload in the toolbar.
3. Drag files onto the upload area, or click Select File to browse.
4. Wait for the upload to complete. A green progress bar confirms success.
5. Click Go Back to return to the File Manager.

Downloading Files

1. Select the file by clicking on it.
2. Click Download in the toolbar.

Creating a New File or Folder

1. Navigate to the desired location.
2. Click + File or + Folder in the toolbar.
3. Enter the name and click Create.

Editing Files

1. Select the file.
2. Click Edit in the toolbar (or right-click and select Edit).
3. The built-in code editor opens with syntax highlighting.
4. Make your changes and click Save Changes.

Renaming Files

1. Select the file.
2. Click Rename in the toolbar, or double-click the filename.
3. Enter the new name and press Enter.

Moving Files

1. Select the file(s).
2. Click Move in the toolbar.
3. Enter the destination path and click Move Files.

Deleting Files

1. Select the file(s).
2. Click Delete in the toolbar.
3. Confirm the deletion. Optionally, tick Skip the trash and permanently delete the files if you don't need to recover them.

Extracting Archives

1. Upload a .zip, .tar.gz, or .tar archive.
2. Select the archive file.
3. Click Extract in the toolbar.
4. Choose the destination directory and click Extract Files.

Compressing Files

1. Select the files or folder to compress.
2. Click Compress in the toolbar.
3. Choose the compression type (Zip is the most compatible).
4. Click Compress Files.

Viewing Hidden Files (Dotfiles)

Files starting with a dot (e.g. .htaccess, .env) are hidden by default.

1. Click Settings in the top-right corner.
2. Tick Show Hidden Files (dotfiles).
3. Click Save.

Tips

• For large uploads (over 100MB), use FTP instead — the browser-based uploader may time out.
• The File Manager's code editor is handy for quick edits to configuration files, but for significant development work, use a proper code editor and FTP/SFTP.
• Always back up files before making changes.
• Be careful with permissions — incorrect permissions can make your site inaccessible or insecure.

What Next?

• Creating and Managing FTP Accounts — Set up FTP for larger file transfers.
• Understanding and Setting File Permissions — Ensure your files have the correct permissions.

Related Articles

• Creating and Managing FTP Accounts
• Understanding and Setting File Permissions
• Understanding Disk Usage