Using File Manager in cPanel: A Beginner's Guide
Once you've signed up with Cheap Host and gained access to your new hosting space, one of the first tasks you'll need to tackle is uploading files. You have two primary methods to choose from:
1. SFTP or FTP - Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) or File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
2. File Manager - The built-in file manager within cPanel
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to upload files using cPanel's File Manager.
Uploading Files with File Manager
1. Prepare Your Files: Start by organizing your files into a single folder on your local computer. Compress this folder into a .zip file to simplify the upload process.
2. Log into cPanel: Access cPanel either through the Client Area or using the login details provided in your 'New Account Information' email.
3. Navigate to File Manager: In the cPanel dashboard, go to the "Files" section and click on "File Manager."
4. Choose Your Directory: Once in File Manager, navigate to the directory where you want to upload your files. In most cases, this will be the `public_html` directory.
5. Upload the File: Click on the “Upload” button located in the top menu bar. Then, select “Choose File” or “Select File” from your local machine. Locate your .zip file and click “Open” or “OK” to begin the upload.
6. Monitor Upload Progress: You’ll see a progress bar on the left side of the screen indicating the upload status. When the upload completes, the progress bar will turn green and display 100%.
7. Extract the File: After the upload finishes, you’ll see a link below the progress bar that will take you back to the directory. Click on your .zip file to highlight it, then select “Extract” from the top menu.
8. Access Extracted Files: The contents of the .zip file will be extracted into a folder with the same name as the .zip file. Double-click this folder to open it.
9. Move Files: Click “Select All” from the top menu to select all extracted files. Then, choose “Move” and select the target directory, such as `public_html`, to move your files.
10. Clean Up: To delete the now-empty folder and the original .zip file, highlight each item and click “Delete” from the top menu. Alternatively, you can select multiple items by holding down the `CTRL` key (Windows) while clicking, or right-click and choose “Delete” for individual items.
Editing Files in cPanel
To edit files directly within cPanel:
1. Select the File: Navigate to and select the file you wish to edit.
2. Edit the File: Right-click on the selected file and choose “Edit,” or select the file and click the “Edit” button in the top menu. This will open the file in an editor where you can make changes.
Copying Files in cPanel
To copy files or folders:
1. Select the Files or Folders: Highlight the item(s) you want to copy.
2. Copy the Item(s): Right-click and select “Copy,” or click “Copy” from the top menu.
3. Specify Destination: Enter the destination path in the dialog box that appears and click “Copy File(s)” to complete the process.
Compressing Files in cPanel
To compress files into a .zip archive:
1. Select the Folder: Choose the folder you want to compress.
2. Compress the Folder: Right-click and select “Compress,” or click “Compress” from the top menu. Follow the prompts to create a .zip file of the selected folder.
Using the File Manager in cPanel is a straightforward way to manage your files, whether you’re uploading, editing, copying, or compressing. Familiarizing yourself with these basic functions will make managing your web hosting environment much more efficient.
