The cPanel File Manager is a browser-based tool that lets you upload, edit, move, compress, and set permissions on the files inside your hosting account without needing an FTP client or SSH access. It is the fastest way to make quick changes to a site, fix a broken file, or upload an HTML template straight from your web browser.
Opening the File Manager
Log in to cPanel, then in the Jupiter interface find the Files section and click File Manager. It opens in a new tab showing a two-pane layout: a directory tree on the left and the contents of the selected folder on the right, with a toolbar of actions across the top.
Understanding the directory structure
Your account home directory contains several standard folders. The most important one is public_html, which is the document root for your primary domain. Anything you want the public to see over the web must live inside public_html or a subfolder of it. Addon domains and subdomains typically get their own folders, and files kept outside public_html (such as backups) are not served to visitors.
Uploading files
- Navigate into the folder where the file should live, usually
public_html. - Click Upload in the top toolbar.
- Drag files onto the upload page, or click Select File to browse your computer.
- Wait for each progress bar to reach 100 percent, then click Go Back to Home and refresh the folder listing.
For large sites, upload a single .zip archive and extract it on the server instead of sending hundreds of small files one at a time.
Creating, editing, and extracting
Select a file and use the toolbar to work with it:
- + File and + Folder create new empty items in the current directory.
- Edit or Code Edit opens a text or syntax-highlighting editor for files such as
.html,.css, and.htaccess. Remember to click Save Changes when finished. - Compress turns selected items into a
.zipor.tar.gzarchive; Extract unpacks an uploaded archive into the current folder. - Copy, Move, and Rename reorganize files, while Delete sends them to the trash where they can usually be restored.
To see configuration files like .htaccess, click Settings in the top right and enable Show Hidden Files (dotfiles).
Setting file permissions
Select a file, click Permissions, and set the numeric mode. Standard, secure values are 644 for files and 755 for directories. Avoid 777, which grants write access to everyone and is a common cause of security problems. On our LiteSpeed and CloudLinux servers these defaults keep scripts running correctly while protecting your account.
Tips for safe editing
Before editing a critical file such as .htaccess or wp-config.php, use Copy to make a backup first so you can roll back if something breaks. Keep folder and file names lowercase with no spaces to avoid broken links, since the server treats Page.HTML and page.html as different files.
The File Manager covers most day-to-day tasks, and it pairs well with the rest of your SEO web hosting control panel. For the full reference on every button and menu, see the official cPanel documentation, browse more cPanel and technical guides, or contact our support team if you get stuck.
