How to manage files with cPanel File Manager

File Manager lets you upload, edit and organise your website's files in your browser, without an FTP app.

Where your files are

File Manager opens in your home folder. The folders you'll use most:

• public_html: your main website. Everything here is online.
• folders for addon domains and subdomains, which cPanel creates when you add them
• mail: your mailboxes. Don't change files here.
• tmp and logs: temporary files and logs

Upload files

1. Go to the folder you want, such as public_html.
2. Select Upload.
3. Drag files into the window, or choose them from your computer.
4. Go back to File Manager and select Reload to see them.

Upload many files at once

Zip the files on your computer, upload the zip, then select it and choose Extract. This is much quicker than uploading files one at a time. Delete the zip afterwards.

Edit a file

Select the file and choose Edit. Make your change and select Save Changes. Before you edit important files such as .htaccess or wp-config.php, use Copy to keep a backup.

Show hidden files

Files whose names start with a dot, such as .htaccess, are hidden. Select Settings at the top right, tick Show Hidden Files (dotfiles) and save.

File permissions

Permissions control who can read, change and run a file. Use 644 for files and 755 for folders. To change them, select the item and choose Permissions. Never use 777: it lets anyone change the file.

If something doesn't work

• The upload fails. Check your free storage in Disk Usage. For very large files, use FTP. See How to connect with FTP and SFTP.
• You can't save a file. Check its permissions and your free storage.
• You can't see .htaccess. Turn on hidden files, as above.
• You deleted something by mistake. Open View Trash and restore it from there.

Related guides

• How to connect with FTP and SFTP
• cPanel overview: a beginner's guide
• How to install WordPress on GHost Cloud
• How to back up and restore your WordPress site