How to Manage Website Files in cPanel

Open File Manager

1. Sign in to cPanel.
2. Open File Manager.
3. Locate your website's document root. For the main domain, this is often a folder named public_html, but the exact location can vary.
4. If you manage more than one domain, check the document root assigned to the correct domain before editing files.

Upload or download files

• Select Upload to send files from your computer to the current folder.
• Select a file and use Download to save a copy to your computer.
• Use Rename, Move or Copy when you need to organise files.
• To upload a website archive, upload the archive first and extract it only in the intended destination folder, if extraction is supported.

Before changing or deleting files

Make a backup before replacing existing website files. Avoid deleting unfamiliar files or hidden configuration files. A wrong change in the website's document root can make the site unavailable.

For transferring many files or working regularly with a development workflow, FTP or SFTP may be more convenient. Use the separate FTP/SFTP guide for connection instructions.

If the website does not show your changes

Check that you uploaded files to the correct document root and that filenames and folder names match exactly. You may also need to clear the website or browser cache. If the site shows an error after an upload, restore the backup if needed and review the error message before trying again.

Related guides

• How to log in to cPanel
• What can you do in cPanel?