The “Files” section of cPanel is your go-to spot for uploading files, backing up your website and managing your file transfer protocol (FTP) accounts.
FTP is simply a way of managing the files associated with your website – whether that means uploading, reading or retrieving them.
Using the File Manager
The first space you’ll want to get acquainted with in this section is the File Manager.
The File Manager allows you to manage all of your site’s files directly with HTTP instead of having to use an FTP tool or other third-party app.
Click on the “File Manager” icon to be taken to this screen:
This is where all of your site’s files are stored, so you’ll want to proceed with EXTREME caution when making changes here.
There are a couple of quick things to point out on this screen. First, along the left you’ll find the root folder and sub-folders, shown below:
Root Folder
Sub-Folders
Then, in the middle of the screen, you’ll see the contents of whatever folder you have selected (including that folder’s sub-folders and files).
Sub-folders & Files
Selected Folder
Knowing this, here are a few things you might want to do:
Create a New Folder
Folders help you keep all of your files organized, making your site’s structure easier to understand and maintenance much more straightforward.
To create a new folder, simply locate and click the “+ Folder” button along the top menu, as shown below:
You’ll then be asked to name your new folder and enter the destination where the folder will be created.
When you’re done, click “Create New Folder”, and you’re set!
Uploading a File Using File Manager
To add a file – for example, a word document you want people to be able to download, or an image you want to use on your site – you’ll first need to click on the folder you want to upload to.
For example, in the image below, I’ve selected “cache”.
Then, click on the “Upload” tab as shown below:
From there, you’ll be asked to drag and drop the file you want to upload, or simply select the file.
Adding an FTP account (so someone else can upload files)
If you’ve already set up your cPanel account, you should be able to use your cPanel’s account username and password to log into FTP yourself immediately.
BUT – let’s imagine you want to give someone else permission to upload files to your website using an FTP client (like FileZilla, for example).
First, click on the “FTP Accounts” icon to be taken to this screen:
1. Create a login
To create a new FTP account, enter the login information you’d like in the “Log in” box. This will be the name another user uses to get access, so make sure it’s memorable.
Next, select the domain you want to create the FTP account for from the dropdown list, and add a password. Remember: make these passwords as secure as possible using numbers, letters, capitals and characters.
You don’t want to give hackers a chance!
2. Define the “home directory”
The “Directory” box defines the new FTP account’s highest level of directory access – the top level they can edit. As cPanel explains…
3. Define the Quota
Finally, you’ll want to set a maximum quota for the space the new FTP user can take up. This can be a limited – or unlimited – amount of your disk space.
You can now manage all of your FTP accounts from the section along the bottom of the page:
