# Getting started with cPanel File Manager

> Open cPanel's File Manager, browse your folders and create, move, rename or delete files and directories.

Source: https://helpcenter.ruachost.com/cpanel/files/getting-started-with-cpanel-file-manager/

**Getting started with cPanel File Manager**\
This guide introduces cPanel’s File Manager and shows how to perform basic tasks such as creating files and folders, navigating directories, and managing your site’s files.

This article explains how to open and use File Manager, and how to carry out common file management actions.

**Starting File Manager and browsing your directories**\
File Manager makes it simple to explore and manage your website files.

To open File Manager and move through your folders:

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. On the Tools page, go to the **Files** section and click **File Manager**.
3. In the left sidebar, select the folder you want to open. The contents will display in the right panel.

Navigation tips:

- Click a folder name in the left sidebar to open it.
- Click **Up One Level** to go back.
- Click the **+** icon to expand a folder.
- Click the **-** icon to collapse a folder.

**Creating new folders and files**\
You can easily add new folders or files within File Manager.

To create a folder:

1. In the main File Manager window, click **+ Folder**.
2. Enter the name of the new folder.
3. Confirm the location path is correct.
4. Click **Create New Folder**.

To create a file:

1. Click **+ File**.
2. Enter the file name.
3. Confirm the location path.
4. Click **Create New File**.

**Copying, moving, renaming, and deleting files**\
To manage files, first select the file(s) in File Manager, then choose the action you need:

- **Copy:** Click **Copy**, enter the destination folder, and click **Copy File(s)**.
- **Move:** Click **Move**, enter the new location, and click **Move File(s)**.
- **Rename:** Click **Rename**, enter the new name, and confirm.
- **Delete:** Click **Delete**, then confirm the deletion.

**Searching for files**\
File Manager allows you to search for specific files.

To search:

1. Use the search box in the top-right corner.
2. Choose where to search:

   - All files in your account.
   - Only in **public_html**.
   - Only in the current directory.
3. Enter all or part of the filename and click **Go**.

> **Tip:**
Searching with part of a filename will return any file names containing that text. For example, searching for *mail* may find *maildirsize* or *.contactemail*, if they exist.