File Manager

A file manager in web hosting is a web-based interface that allows users to manage and edit files on their server.

More About File Manager

Capabilities: Includes uploading, downloading, editing, and deleting files.

Convenience: Offers a user-friendly alternative to command-line management.

Integration: Typically integrated into hosting control panels like cPanel.

Security Aspects: Includes features for setting file permissions and securing sensitive files.

Here’s more information about cPanel’s File Manager and instructions on how to use it:

Accessing cPanel’s File Manager:

1. Login to cPanel: Start by logging in to your cPanel account. You can usually access cPanel by visiting your hosting provider’s website and logging in with your credentials.
2. Locate File Manager: Once logged in, look for the “File Manager” icon or link within the cPanel dashboard. It is typically located in the “Files” or “File and Directory” section.

Using cPanel’s File Manager:

cPanel’s File Manager offers a simple and intuitive interface with various features for file management. Here’s how to use some of its key functions:

1. Navigation:

• To navigate through your website’s directory structure, click on folders to open them, and use the “Up One Level” button to go back.

2. File and Folder Actions:

• Upload: To upload files, select the folder where you want to upload them, then click the “Upload” button. You can upload multiple files at once.
• Create New File or Folder: Use the “New File” or “New Folder” button to create a new file or directory in the current location.
• Delete: To delete files or folders, select them, then click the “Delete” button. Be cautious, as deleted files are usually not recoverable without a backup.

3. Edit Files:

• To edit text-based files (e.g., HTML, CSS, PHP), select the file and click the “Edit” button. A text editor will open, allowing you to make changes. Remember to save your changes after editing.

4. Change Permissions:

• You can change file and folder permissions by selecting the item, clicking “Permissions,” and adjusting the settings. Permissions control who can read, write, or execute files.

5. File Search:

• The File Manager includes a search feature to help you find specific files or folders quickly.

6. View and Preview Files:

• You can view the content of certain file types (e.g., text files, HTML files) directly within the File Manager by selecting the file and clicking “View.”
• To preview a website or a specific page, right-click on an HTML file and choose “Preview.”

7. Compress and Extract Files:

• You can create compressed (zipped) archives of files and directories or extract files from existing archives using the “Compress” and “Extract” options.

8. Directory Selection:

• Choose the directory you want to work in by clicking on it in the directory tree on the left-hand side.

9. Toolbar Options:

• The toolbar at the top provides additional options for file and folder operations, including copy, move, rename, and more.

10. Logout: – Always remember to log out of cPanel when you’re finished using the File Manager for security reasons.

Important Considerations:

• Be cautious when deleting files or folders, as there is usually no undo option. Make sure you have backups if needed.
• While the File Manager is a convenient tool, it may not be as feature-rich as a dedicated FTP client for advanced file management tasks.

File Manager is a handy tool for basic file and directory management tasks directly from your web browser. It’s especially useful for making quick edits to website files, uploading new content, and managing your hosting environment without the need for additional software or FTP clients.