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Overview

cPanel’s File Manager lets you upload, edit, delete, and manage your website files directly through your web browser — no need for FTP software. This is ideal for making quick changes, uploading themes or plugins, and managing your site content safely and efficiently.

Accessing File Manager

1. Log into your cPanel account.
2. Under the Files section, click on File Manager.
3. You will be taken to the Home Directory by default.
4. If you're working on a website, navigate to the public_html folder — this is your website’s root directory.

Common Tasks in File Manager

Uploading Files

1. Navigate to the folder where you want to upload files (e.g., public_html).
2. Click the Upload button in the top toolbar.
3. Drag-and-drop your files into the upload window or click Select File.
4. Once complete, click Go Back to return to the folder view.

Editing Files

1. Right-click the file and select Edit or HTML Editor.
2. Make your changes in the editor window.
3. Click Save Changes.

Tip: Always make a backup of files before editing, especially for PHP or configuration files.

Extracting and Compressing Files

1. To unzip a file, right-click it and choose Extract.
2. To compress multiple files or folders, select them, then click Compress and choose the format (e.g., zip).

Deleting Files or Folders

1. Select the item(s) you want to remove.
2. Click the Delete button in the toolbar.
3. Confirm the deletion. Deleted items may be moved to the Trash unless you choose Skip Trash.

To permanently remove files, open the Trash folder and click Empty Trash.

File Permissions

Each file or folder has a permission level that controls who can read, write, or execute it. You can view and change permissions by:

1. Right-clicking a file or folder and selecting Change Permissions.
2. Use the checkboxes or numeric value (e.g., 644 or 755) to set the permissions.
3. Click Change Permissions to apply.

Important: Be cautious when modifying permissions. Incorrect settings may break your site or create security vulnerabilities.

Best Practices

• Always work within the public_html folder unless you know what you're doing.
• Keep a local backup of important files before making changes.
• Use File Manager only for light editing — use SFTP or Git for larger projects.
• Do not store sensitive files (e.g., passwords, backups) in public_html.

Need Help?

If you’re unsure which folder to edit or encounter errors when uploading or modifying files, open a support ticket and we’ll assist you.