cPanel File Manager is a web-based tool that lets you upload, edit, organize, and manage your website files without needing FTP software. You can create folders, upload files, edit code, set permissions, and perform most file operations directly through your browser, making it ideal for quick edits and routine file management tasks.
Whether you're updating your website content, managing backups, or organizing your hosting account files, File Manager provides a user-friendly interface accessible from your cPanel dashboard. This guide covers everything from basic navigation to advanced file operations.
Understanding File Manager
File Manager organizes all the files in your hosting account into folders. When you log into cPanel at OBHost, you can access File Manager to view and manage your entire directory structure. The interface displays your files in a familiar folder tree layout, similar to Windows Explorer or Mac Finder.
The main areas of your hosting account include:
- Home Directory: The root folder of your account containing all files and subfolders
- public_html: Your web root folder where publicly accessible website files live
- public_ftp: The folder for files shared via FTP
- mail: Email-related files and folders
- tmp: Temporary files folder
Configuring File Manager Settings
Before you start working with files, you may want to customize File Manager to suit your workflow. To change your preferences, click the Settings button in the toolbar. The Preferences interface allows you to control several important options.
Choosing Your Default Opening Folder
You can select which folder File Manager opens to by default:
- Home Directory: Opens to your main account folder
- Web Root (public_html or www): Opens directly to your website files
- Public FTP Root (public_ftp): Opens to your FTP folder
- Document Root for [domain]: Opens to a specific domain's folder
Most users prefer setting Web Root as the default since that's where website files are located.
Showing Hidden Files
To display hidden files (dotfiles like .htaccess), select the Show Hidden Files (dotfiles) checkbox. These files are often critical for website configuration, so enabling this option is recommended for advanced users.
Character Encoding Settings
To prevent character encoding verification dialogs from appearing each time you edit a file, select Disable Character Encoding Verification Dialogs. However, be aware that selecting the wrong encoding can corrupt files, so only disable this if you're confident about your file encodings.
After making your selections, click Save to apply your preferences.
Creating Files and Folders
File Manager makes it easy to create new files and folders directly in your browser.
Creating a New File
- Navigate to the folder where you want to create the file
- Click + File in the toolbar
- Enter the filename (including the extension, such as .html or .txt)
- Click Create New File
Creating a New Folder
- Navigate to the parent directory
- Click + Folder in the toolbar
- Enter the folder name
- Click Create New Folder
Uploading Files
File Manager supports file uploads up to the maximum size set by your hosting plan. To upload files:
- Navigate to the destination folder
- Click Upload in the toolbar
- Click Select File or drag and drop files into the upload area
- Wait for the upload to complete
- Click Go Back to return to File Manager
For larger files or multiple files, consider using FTP software instead of the web-based uploader.
Editing Files
File Manager includes built-in editors for modifying file content without downloading files to your computer.
Using the Text Editor
- Select the file you want to edit
- Click Edit in the toolbar
- Choose the correct character encoding (usually UTF-8)
- Click Edit to open the editor
- Make your changes
- Click Save Changes in the top right
Using the HTML Editor
For HTML files, you can use the HTML Editor which provides a visual interface similar to a word processor. The process is the same as the text editor, but you'll see formatting options and can work in a WYSIWYG environment.
Important: Always verify character encoding when editing files. If you see strange characters after opening a file, immediately close it without saving and try a different encoding. Saving a file with incorrect encoding can corrupt it.
Managing File Permissions
File permissions control who can read, write, or execute files on your server. To change permissions:
- Select the file or folder
- Click Permissions in the toolbar
- Check or uncheck the appropriate permission boxes, or enter a numeric value (like 644 or 755)
- For folders, you can choose to apply permissions recursively to all contents
- Click Change Permissions
Common permission settings:
- 644: Standard file permissions (owner can write, others can read)
- 755: Standard folder permissions (owner can write, others can read and execute)
- 600: Private files (only owner can read and write)
Copying, Moving, and Deleting
Copying Files or Folders
- Select the item to copy
- Click Copy in the toolbar
- Specify the destination path
- Click Copy File(s)
Moving Files or Folders
- Select the item to move
- Click Move in the toolbar
- Specify the new location
- Click Move File(s)
Deleting Files or Folders
- Select the item(s) to delete
- Click Delete in the toolbar
- Confirm the deletion
Warning: Deleted files cannot be recovered unless you have a backup. Always double-check before deleting.
Extracting and Compressing Archives
File Manager can work with compressed files like ZIP, TAR, and GZ archives.
Extracting an Archive
- Select the archive file
- Click Extract in the toolbar
- Choose the extraction destination
- Click Extract File(s)
Creating a Compressed Archive
- Select the files or folders to compress
- Click Compress in the toolbar
- Choose the compression type (Zip, Tar, Gzip, etc.)
- Enter a filename for the archive
- Click Compress File(s)
Searching for Files
To find specific files in your account:
- Click Search in the toolbar
- Enter your search term
- Optionally, use the Advanced options to filter by file type, size, or date
- Click Search
Search results appear in the main panel and you can perform actions on them just like regular file listings.
Important Limitations and Best Practices
When using File Manager, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Single-file operations: Some actions (rename, edit, view) work on only one file at a time. If you select multiple files, only the first will be affected
- Git repositories: Never manually edit files within Git repository folders, as this can corrupt the repository
- Gray icons: When a toolbar action is unavailable for your current selection, its icon appears grayed out
- File size limits: Very large files may timeout when uploading or editing through File Manager
- Session timeouts: Long editing sessions may timeout. Save your work frequently
Common File Manager Tasks
Installing WordPress Manually
File Manager is commonly used for manual CMS installations. Upload your installation files to public_html, extract them, and follow the software's installation instructions.
Editing .htaccess Files
The .htaccess file controls important server configurations. Make sure hidden files are enabled in Settings, then locate .htaccess in your web root. Always backup this file before making changes.
Managing Backups
You can upload backup archives through File Manager and extract them to restore files. However, for full account backups, use cPanel's backup tools instead.
Checking Disk Usage
Right-click any folder and select Get Disk Usage to see how much space it occupies. This helps identify large directories consuming your storage quota.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use File Manager instead of FTP?
Yes, File Manager can handle most tasks that FTP does, including uploading, downloading, and organizing files. However, FTP clients are better for transferring very large files, handling bulk operations, and maintaining persistent connections. File Manager is ideal for quick edits and small file transfers.
What should I do if File Manager says a file is too large to edit?
File Manager has size limits for the built-in editor (typically 4-20 MB depending on configuration). For larger files, download them to your computer, edit them locally with a text editor, then re-upload them. Alternatively, use SSH access if available on your hosting plan.
Why can't I see my .htaccess file?
The .htaccess file is hidden by default. Click Settings in the toolbar, select Show Hidden Files (dotfiles), and click Save. The file should now appear in your file listing. If it still doesn't appear, the file may not exist yet and you can create it using the + File button.
How do I restore a file I accidentally deleted?
File Manager doesn't have an undo function or recycle bin. Deleted files are gone immediately. Your only option is to restore from a backup. At OBHost, regular backups are maintained, so contact support if you need assistance restoring deleted files. This is why creating regular backups before making significant changes is crucial.
If you need help with File Manager or encounter any issues managing your website files, the OBHost support team is available 24/7. Visit our contact page or email support@obhost.org for assistance with any file management questions.
