Learn how to compress files or folders using cPanel File Manager. Follow this step-by-step guide to efficiently archive your files, reducing storage space and facilitating easier file management. Enhance your website hosting experience with this essential cPanel feature.
Ever felt overwhelmed by the number of files on your website? Just like a cluttered closet, a disorganized website can be a headache to manage. Luckily, cPanel's File Manager offers a built-in compression tool to help you streamline your data storage. This tutorial is meant to guide you through compressing files and folders, making your website's file structure more manageable.
Why Compress Files and Folders?
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Save Disk Space: Compressed files take up less space on your web hosting server. This is especially useful when dealing with large image collections, backups, or downloadable content. A clean and efficient server translates to faster loading times for your website visitors.
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Organize and Download: Compressing multiple files into a single archive makes them easier to organize, download, or share. Think of it as creating a labeled box for your digital belongings!
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Backup Efficiency: Compressed backups are smaller and transfer more quickly, saving you valuable time and bandwidth when creating website backups.
Compressing Files and Folders in cPanel File Manager (A Beginner's Guide)
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Log in to your cPanel interface.
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Navigate to the "Files" section and click on the "File Manager" icon.** This opens a file management interface similar to your computer's file explorer.
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Locate the folder containing the files or folders you want to compress. Use the directory structure on the left side of the File Manager to navigate.
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Select the files or folders you want to compress. Hold down the "Ctrl" key (Windows/Linux) or "Command" key (Mac) to choose multiple files. You can also click and drag to highlight a group of files.
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Look for the "Compress" option in the top right corner of the File Manager. It might be represented by a zip icon or a text label.
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Choose the archive format: A pop-up window will appear, allowing you to select the desired archive format. Common options include ZIP, TAR, GZ, and BZ2. ZIP is a widely supported format, making it a good choice for general use.
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Give your archive a custom name: By default, cPanel assigns a generic name to the compressed file. It's recommended to choose a descriptive name that reflects the archive's contents for better organization.
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Click "Compress File(s)" to start the compression process. The time it takes will depend on the size and number of files being compressed.
Once compressed, the archive file will appear in the same directory. You can now download, share, or manage the compressed file as needed.
Advanced Compression Options (Using Terminal Commands)
While the File Manager offers a user-friendly approach, cPanel also supports command-line compression using tools like "tar" and "zip." This is beneficial for advanced users who prefer more control over the compression process.
For more advanced compression tasks, you can utilize terminal commands such as tar and zip.
Here are some examples after moving into the directory with the cd command:
| Command | Description |
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Create a compressed tar archive (.tar.gz). |
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Create a compressed gzip archive (.tar.gz). |
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Compress files within the current directory. |
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Compress files within the current directory. |
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Delete/remove files from a tarball. |
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Create a zip archive with specified files. |
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Zip files with a specific extension. |
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Zip all files within the specified directory. |
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Zip a directory recursively. |
If you encounter any difficulties while compressing files or folders in cPanel, WebHostingM's support team is happy to help! You can contact our support team for personalized assistance.
