Use the DirectAdmin File Manager
Upload, edit, move, extract and set permissions on your website’s files from your browser with DirectAdmin’s File Manager, without FTP.
On this page
The File Manager lets you work with your website’s files in your browser: upload, create, edit, move, compress, extract and change permissions. It’s the quickest way to make a small change without setting up FTP.
Open the File Manager
Log in to DirectAdmin and type File Manager into the search box at the top of the dashboard, or find it under System Info & Files. Menu names vary slightly with the DirectAdmin skin, so the search box is the most reliable way in.
Where your website lives
You start in your home folder. Your website’s files are in:
domains/yourdomain/public_htmlAnything inside public_html can be seen by visitors. Your home page must be called index.html or index.php. Folders outside public_html, such as your home folder, aren’t reachable from the web, which makes them a good place for backups or configuration files. What is public_html?
Everyday jobs
| Job | How |
|---|---|
| Upload files | Open the folder, click Upload, choose or drag in files |
| Upload a whole site | Upload one .zip file, then select it and choose Extract |
| Edit a file | Select it and choose Edit (or double-click a text file) |
| Create a file or folder | New file or New folder in the toolbar |
| Move or copy | Select, choose Move or Copy, then pick the destination |
| Rename | Select and choose Rename |
| Download | Select and choose Download; compress folders first |
| Change permissions | Select and choose Permissions (or Change permissions) |
Seeing hidden files
Files whose names start with a dot, like .htaccess, are hidden by default on many systems. If you can’t see .htaccess, look for a show hidden files option in the File Manager’s view settings. Hidden files and .htaccess.
Permissions in one minute
Most files should be 644 and most folders 755. That lets the web server read them and only you change them. Never set anything to 777: it lets anything on the server write to it, which is how many sites get hacked. File permissions explained.
Edit with care
Changes in the File Manager are live immediately and there’s no undo. Before editing an important file such as wp-config.php or .htaccess, download a copy or duplicate it as filename.bak.
When to use FTP or SFTP instead
The File Manager is ideal for small changes. For uploading many files regularly, or working from an editor on your own computer, use SFTP with a program like FileZilla. Set up SFTP.
Troubleshooting
- Upload fails for a large file. Upload a .zip and extract it, or use SFTP. Very large single files can time out in the browser.
- “Permission denied” when editing. Check the file’s permissions are 644 and that it belongs to your account.
- Your site still shows the old file. Clear your browser cache, and purge LiteSpeed Cache if you use WordPress. Why does my site show the old version?
Spotted something out of date or unclear? Tell us and we’ll fix it.