The File Manager in DirectAdmin allows you to manage website files directly in your browser, without FTP software. Handy for quick changes and perfect for beginners who do not want to install an FTP program.

Accessing File Manager

  1. Log in to DirectAdmin
  2. Go to File Manager in the menu
  3. You will now see the folder structure of your hosting

The interface resembles the explorer of your computer, with folders and files in a clear list.

Understanding the Folder Structure

Each domain in DirectAdmin has a standard folder structure:

public_html is where your website files are located. This is the folder that visitors see through their browser.

Important Folders Explained

  • public_html: Everything here is publicly accessible via your domain
  • private_html: Secure files that are not directly accessible
  • logs: Contains access logs and error logs for troubleshooting
  • stats: Visitor statistics and analytics data

Uploading Files

Uploading Single Files

  1. Navigate to the correct folder (usually public_html)
  2. Click on Upload Files or the upload icon
  3. Select files from your computer
  4. Wait for the upload to finish

Uploading Multiple Files at Once

You can select multiple files by holding down Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) while selecting.

Tip: For large files or many files, use FTP. The File Manager has an upload limit.

Editing Files

The built-in text editor is perfect for quick adjustments to code or configuration files.

  1. Navigate to the file
  2. Click on the file
  3. Click on Edit or the pencil icon
  4. Make your changes in the text editor
  5. Click on Save

Which Files Can You Edit?

  • HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files
  • PHP files
  • .htaccess configuration
  • Configuration files (wp-config.php, etc.)
  • Text files (.txt, .md)

Note: Do not edit binary files such as images or PDFs via the text editor.

Creating Folders

A logical folder structure helps keep your website organized.

  1. Navigate to the location where you want to create the folder
  2. Click on Create Folder or New Folder
  3. Enter a clear folder name (without spaces, prefer dashes)
  4. Click on Create

Naming Tips

  • Use lowercase letters
  • Replace spaces with dashes (-) or underscores (_)
  • Choose descriptive names like 'images', 'uploads', 'assets'

Deleting Files

  1. Select the file or folder
  2. Click on Delete or the trash icon
  3. Confirm the action

Note: Deleted files are permanently gone! There is no trash bin. Always make a backup before deleting files.

Copying and Moving Files

Copying Files

  1. Select the file
  2. Click on Copy
  3. Navigate to the destination folder
  4. Confirm the action

Moving Files

  1. Select the file
  2. Click on Move
  3. Navigate to the new location
  4. Confirm the action

The difference: copying creates a duplicate, moving removes the original.

Changing Permissions (CHMOD)

File permissions determine who can read, write, and execute files.

  1. Select the file or folder
  2. Click on Permissions or CHMOD
  3. Set the correct permissions:
    • 644 for files (default)
    • 755 for folders (default)
    • 666 or 777 only if strictly necessary
  4. Click on Save

Common Permissions

Code Meaning Use for
644 Read for everyone, write for owner Regular files
755 Execute for everyone, write for owner Folders, scripts
600 Owner only Sensitive config files

Compressing and Extracting Files

Creating a ZIP Archive

  1. Select the files or folders
  2. Click on Compress
  3. Choose ZIP format
  4. Give the archive a name
  5. Confirm

Extracting ZIP

  1. Click on the ZIP file
  2. Click on Extract
  3. Choose the destination folder
  4. Confirm

This is handy for uploading complete website backups or downloading large amounts of files.

Tips for Working Efficiently

  1. Backup first: Always make a backup before making important changes
  2. Use FTP for large uploads: The File Manager is limited to smaller files
  3. Be careful with permissions: Incorrect permissions can make your website inaccessible
  4. Do not edit core files: In WordPress, do not edit files in wp-includes or wp-admin

Troubleshooting

File Too Large to Upload

The File Manager has an upload limit of about 50MB. Use FTP for larger files.

Cannot Edit File

Check if you have the correct permissions. If the file is 444 (read-only), you need to adjust the permissions first.

Changes Not Visible on Website

This may be due to browser caching. Try:

  • Hard refresh: Ctrl+F5 (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+R (Mac)
  • Open incognito window
  • Clear browser cache

Permission Denied Error Message

You may not have the correct rights. Check if you are logged in as the owner of the hosting account.

Need Help?

We are here for you! Are you facing any issues or do you have questions? Our support team is happy to assist you personally. Send us a message via the ticket system - we usually respond within a few hours and are happy to help.