# How to use the cPanel File Manager > Upload a site with the cPanel File Manager, extract a zip into public_html, show hidden files such as .htaccess, set safe permissions and restore deleted files. Source: https://www.fasterhost.in/kb/use-the-cpanel-file-manager.php · cPanel · 5 min read · updated 25 September 2026 The File Manager is cPanel's file browser. It is the quickest way to upload a site, unzip an archive, edit `.htaccess` or fix a permission, without installing an FTP program. ## Steps ### 1. Open File Manager and find public_html In cPanel, go to **Files → File Manager**. Your main domain's website lives in `public_html`. Addon domains and subdomains usually have folders of their own; the **Domains** page shows each one's document root. ### 2. Upload your files Open the folder the files belong in and click **Upload**, then drag the files in or use **Select File**. For a whole website, upload one `.zip` rather than hundreds of loose files: it is faster, and nothing gets missed. For very large files, use an FTP app instead. A browser upload that drops halfway starts again from zero. ### 3. Extract the archive Select the `.zip` and click **Extract** in the toolbar, or right-click it and choose **Extract**. Confirm the folder and wait for the list of extracted files. Then delete the archive. If the files landed inside an extra folder, such as `public_html/mysite/`, open it, select everything and use **Move** to bring the files up into `public_html`. ### 4. Show hidden files to edit .htaccess Files whose names start with a dot are hidden by default. Click **Settings** at the top right, tick **Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)** and save. `.htaccess` now appears; right-click it and choose **Edit**. The editor opens files under 1 MB. Copy the file before editing it. One wrong line in `.htaccess` takes the whole site down with a 500 error, and the copy is your way back. ### 5. Set safe permissions Select a file or folder and click **Permissions**. Use `644` for files and `755` for folders. A file holding passwords, such as `wp-config.php`, can be tightened to `600`. Never use `777`. It lets anything on the server rewrite the file, and a folder the site must write to only needs `755`. ## Getting back something you deleted Deleted files go to the trash unless you ticked **Skip the trash and permanently delete the files**. Click **View Trash**, select the file and click **Restore**. Empty the trash now and then, because it counts towards your disk space. For anything older, or deleted with the trash skipped, restore it from the daily backups in JetBackup. ## When an FTP app is the better tool Use FTP for large uploads, for thousands of files, or to keep a copy on your computer in step with the server. Create a login under **Files → FTP Accounts**; that page lists the server name and port for apps such as FileZilla or WinSCP. Choose FTP over TLS in the app where it offers it, so your password is not sent in the clear. ## Common questions **Where do I upload my website in cPanel?** Into public_html for your main domain. Addon domains and subdomains use the folder set as their document root, which the Domains page shows. **How do I unzip a file in cPanel?** Select the archive in File Manager and click Extract, or right-click it and choose Extract. Zip, gzip and bzip2 archives are supported. **Why can't I see my .htaccess file?** Files starting with a dot are hidden by default. Open Settings in File Manager, tick Show Hidden Files (dotfiles) and save. **What permissions should website files have?** 644 for files and 755 for folders. Files holding passwords, such as wp-config.php, can be 600. Avoid 777 entirely. ## Related - [How to back up and restore a website in cPanel](https://www.fasterhost.in/kb/back-up-and-restore-a-website-in-cpanel.php) - [How to redirect a domain or page in cPanel](https://www.fasterhost.in/kb/redirect-a-domain-in-cpanel.php) - [cPanel Hosting](https://www.fasterhost.in/cpanel-hosting.php): cPanel on LiteSpeed and NVMe, served from India - [Shared Hosting](https://www.fasterhost.in/shared-hosting.php): Fast, affordable hosting for your first site