File Management in cPanel

Overview

The FILES section in cPanel is where you can manage all the files related to your website. This includes uploading, editing, creating folders, backing up your content, and managing FTP accounts. Whether you prefer using the File Manager interface or connecting via an FTP client (like FileZilla), cPanel provides all the necessary tools.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) allows you to upload, download, and manage website files through a third-party application. However, cPanel also offers a built-in File Manager to perform most of these tasks directly.

Notes
Always backup your files before editing or deleting.
Use File Manager for quick changes; use FTP for bulk file transfers.
Avoid uploading files directly to the root unless necessary — use public_html for web-accessible content.
File permissions can be adjusted via File Manager for better security.

Supported Website File Types

Different types of files serve different purposes on your site. Make sure your file extensions are correct:

File Type	Extension
HTML Pages	.html, .htm
Server-Side Includes	.shtml
CGI Scripts	.cgi, .pl
PHP Files	.php

File Manager

Access File Manager

1. Log in to your cPanel account.
2. Under the Files section, click File Manager.

File Manager Overview

• The left panel displays the directory structure (root folder and subfolders).
• The middle panel shows the contents of the selected folder.
• You can upload, edit, move, and delete files here — no FTP required.

Be cautious when modifying files — changes are immediate and may affect your live site.

File Manager Functions

Create a New Folder

1. In File Manager, click the + Folder icon in the top menu.
2. Enter the folder name and the destination path.
3. Click Create New Folder.

Upload a File

1. Open File Manager from the Files section in cPanel.
2. Navigate to the public_html folder (or your target directory).
3. Click the Upload button in the top menu.
4. Click Select File and choose the file from your computer.
5. The file will be uploaded, and you’ll see a success message.

FTP Management

Create an FTP Account

1. Go to Files > FTP Accounts.
2. Fill out the form:
   • Login
   • Password
   • Directory (limit access to a specific path)
3. Click Create FTP Account.

It's best to create separate FTP accounts for each website or project for better access control.

Access Your Main FTP Account

1. Go to Files > FTP Accounts.
2. Scroll down to the Special FTP Accounts section.
3. Your main FTP account will appear here, with root directory access by default.