Use File Manager in cPanel to manage your hosting files and directories directly in your browser. No separate FTP application is required.
This guide explains how to open File Manager, choose its starting directory and display hidden files.
Who is this guide for?
This guide applies exclusively to customers whose hosting is managed on the new Webland platform (WHMCS) and whose hosting plan includes cPanel.
Essential Hosting without cPanel: This guide does not apply to your hosting.
Previous platform using System Configurator or Domain Manager: Sign in at classic.webland.ch. The steps below do not apply to that platform.
What can you do with File Manager?
Available functions include:
Creating files and directories.
Uploading and downloading files.
Copying, moving and renaming files.
Editing text files directly in your browser.
Changing file and directory permissions.
Creating and extracting archives.
Deleting files and restoring them from Trash.
Searching for filenames.
Important information
Back up files before making changes. Editing, moving or deleting website files can affect how your website works.
Check how files are deleted. Deleted files normally go to Trash. If you skip Trash when deleting files or empty it afterwards, those files can no longer be restored through Trash.
Select only one file when editing, viewing or renaming. With multiple files selected, these actions apply only to the first file.
Requirements
Before you begin, make sure you:
Are signed in to the client area on the new Webland platform.
Have access to the relevant cPanel hosting service.
Step 1: Sign in to cPanel
Find your hosting service in the active services overview in the client area.
Click “Log in to cPanel”.
You will be signed in to cPanel automatically.
Step 2: Open File Manager
Open the “Files” section in cPanel.
Click “File Manager”.
Alternatively, find File Manager using the cPanel search.
Your hosting account’s file overview will open. Navigate to the directory whose contents you want to manage.
Step 3: Choose the starting directory
Click “Settings” in the top-right corner of File Manager.
Choose the directory that should open automatically.
Option | Meaning |
Home Directory | Your hosting account’s main directory. |
Web Root (public_html or www) | The web directory, usually for the main website. |
Public FTP Root (public_ftp) | The directory for public FTP files; not the usual website directory. |
Document Root for | The website directory for the domain you select. |
Note: Not every website is stored directly in public_html. Additional domains may use different directories. Select the relevant domain’s document root where needed.
Step 4: Display hidden files
In Settings, select “Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)” if you need to see files such as .htaccess.
These filenames begin with a dot and may be hidden by default.
You can also disable character encoding verification dialogs here. Leave verification enabled if you are unsure: Using the wrong character encoding when editing can damage the file’s contents.
Click “Save” to apply your settings.
Troubleshooting
I cannot find my website files
Check that you opened the correct hosting service and the document root for the correct domain.
The .htaccess file is not visible
Enable “Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)” under “Settings”. If the file still does not appear, it may not exist in that directory.
An action is greyed out
Select the appropriate file or directory. Some actions are only available for certain file types or a single selected file.
I accidentally deleted a file
Open “View Trash”. If the file is there, select it, click “Restore” and confirm.