Knowledgebase

File Manager is the built-in file browser for your hosting account. It handles everything FTP does, from the browser.

OPENING IT

cPanel > File Manager under Files. Your website files live in public_html. Anything outside that folder is not served to the public.

CORE ACTIONS

• Upload: click Upload, then drag files into the page or use Select File. Uploads go into whichever folder you were viewing.
• Edit: select a file and click Edit (plain) or HTML Editor. Always use Edit for .php, .htaccess and config files, as the HTML editor can corrupt code.
• Move / Copy: select and use the toolbar buttons, then type the destination path.
• Rename: useful for disabling a plugin or theme folder without deleting it.
• Delete: moves to .trash by default. Untick "Skip the trash" only if you are sure.
• Download: takes a copy to your computer before you change anything.

IMPORTANT SETTINGS

Click Settings at the top right and tick "Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)" so you can see .htaccess and similar files.

BEFORE EDITING ANY LIVE FILE

Download a copy first. A single mistyped character in .htaccess or wp-config.php takes the whole site offline, and a local copy makes that a ten-second fix.