How to Use File Manager in cPanel via the Client Area

Introduction
The File Manager in cPanel is a powerful tool that allows you to upload, edit, move, and delete files directly on your hosting server. Whether you're managing website files or making quick updates to your site, File Manager provides an easy-to-use interface for accessing your files without the need for an FTP client. This guide will show you how to access and use File Manager through cPanel, accessed via your client area.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Login to Your Client Area
   Start by logging into your client area using your credentials:

   • Go to the Client Area.
   • Enter your email address and password, then click "Login".

2. Navigate to Your Services
   Once logged in, locate the "Services" or "My Products & Services" section.

   • Select the hosting package associated with the website files you want to manage.

3. Access cPanel via the Client Area
   On the service details page, look for the "Login to cPanel" button.

   • Click on it to be automatically logged into your cPanel account without needing to enter additional credentials.

4. Open the File Manager
   Once in cPanel:

   • Scroll down to the Files section and click on "File Manager".
   • The File Manager interface will open, showing the root directory of your hosting account.

5. Navigating the File System
   In File Manager, you’ll see a directory structure on the left-hand side. This is where all your website’s files are stored. Some common directories include:

   • public_html/: This is the main directory where your website’s files should be uploaded. Files placed here will be accessible via your domain.
   • tmp/: Temporary files.
   • mail/: Email-related files.

   To navigate, simply click on the folder names to open them and view the files inside.

6. Managing Files
   File Manager allows you to perform several actions on your files and folders:

   • Upload Files:

     • Click the "Upload" button from the top menu.
     • Choose files from your computer and upload them to the desired directory. Ensure you're uploading files to the correct folder, such as public_html/ for website files.

   • Create a New File or Folder:

     • Click the "+ File" or "+ Folder" button.
     • Name the new file or folder and choose where to create it.

   • Edit Files:

     • Select a file (e.g., index.html or style.css) and click the "Edit" button from the top menu.
     • This will open a built-in text editor for making changes directly to the file.
     • After editing, click "Save Changes" to apply the updates.

   • Move or Copy Files:

     • Select the file(s) or folder(s) you want to move or copy.
     • Click the "Move" or "Copy" button, and specify the destination folder.

   • Rename a File:

     • Right-click on the file and select "Rename".
     • Enter the new name and save.

   • Delete a File:

     • Select the file(s) you want to delete and click the "Delete" button.
     • Confirm the deletion by selecting whether you want to permanently delete the file or move it to the Trash.

7. File Permissions
   You can also manage file permissions through File Manager. Permissions determine who can read, write, and execute files:

   • Right-click on a file or folder and select "Change Permissions".
   • You’ll see checkboxes that allow you to adjust the permissions for the file owner, group, and public.

Common File Manager Tasks

1. Uploading a Website
   To upload your website files:

   • Navigate to the public_html/ directory.
   • Use the "Upload" button to add your website files.
   • Ensure that your main page is named index.html or index.php so it loads by default when someone visits your domain.

2. Editing .htaccess File
   The .htaccess file allows you to control various aspects of your website, such as redirects, security settings, and more. To edit this file:

   • Make sure that hidden files (dotfiles) are visible. In File Manager, click on Settings in the top-right corner and check "Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)".
   • Find and open the .htaccess file in the root directory and click "Edit".

3. Creating a Backup
   Before making any major changes to your website files, it’s a good idea to create a backup:

   • Select all the files in public_html/ (or the entire directory).
   • Click "Compress" from the top menu and choose a format (ZIP, TAR, etc.).
   • Download the compressed file to your local computer for safekeeping.

Common Issues

1. Can’t Find Files in File Manager
   If you don’t see your website files, ensure you are looking in the public_html/ directory. Files outside this directory won’t be publicly accessible via your domain.

2. File Size Limitations
   When uploading files, note that there may be size limitations depending on your hosting configuration. If you encounter an error, check the upload_max_filesize setting in php.ini or contact your hosting provider to adjust the limit.

3. File Permissions Errors
   If you encounter errors like "403 Forbidden" when trying to access files on your website, it may be due to incorrect file permissions. Ensure that files have the correct permissions set:

   • Files: 644 (read and write for the owner, read-only for others)
   • Folders: 755 (read, write, and execute for the owner, read and execute for others)

Conclusion
By using File Manager in cPanel via the Client Area, you can easily manage your website files without the need for an external FTP client. Whether you’re uploading files, editing code, or organizing your folders, File Manager provides all the essential tools to manage your hosting environment.

If you need further assistance or encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team.