Learn how to download files from your cPanel hosting account using both the File Manager interface and command-line (terminal) commands. Follow these instructions to efficiently retrieve files and maintain backups of your website data.

Imagine needing to work on a website file offline or wanting to create a backup copy. cPanel's File Manager comes to the rescue, allowing you to effortlessly download files from your website to your local computer. This guide, suitable for beginners, intermediate, and advanced users alike, will equip you with the knowledge to download files with confidence.

Why Download Files?

There are several scenarios where downloading website files becomes necessary:

  • Offline Editing: You might need to edit a website file (e.g., an image or configuration file) using software on your local machine. Downloading the file allows you to work on it offline.
  • Backups: Regular backups are crucial for website safety. Downloading a copy of your website files creates a backup in case of unforeseen events like server crashes or accidental file deletions.
  • Sharing Files: Sometimes, you might need to share website files with colleagues or developers. Downloading them allows for easy transfer.

Downloading Files Using cPanel File Manager

  1. Access File Manager:

    • Log in to cPanel and navigate to the "Files" section.
    • Click on the "File Manager" icon to open the File Manager interface.
  2. Navigate to the Desired File:

    • Ensure you're in the correct directory containing the file you want to download.
    • Select the file by clicking on it.
  3. Download the File:

    • Click the "Download" option from the toolbar.
    • For multiple files, consider using the "Compress" option to create an archive before downloading.

 

Essential Command Line Techniques for Managing Archives and Transfers

The command line (for advanced users) offers a powerful toolbox for managing your files efficiently. This guide equips you with essential techniques for compressing files into archives, viewing archive contents, and copying files to and from your cPanel account using the tar and scp commands.

  1.  
  2. Compressing Files into Archives with tar:

The tar command is your go-to tool for creating compressed archives. These archives group multiple files into a single container, saving storage space and simplifying transfers.

  • Basic Syntax:

tar [options] [archive_name] [files/folders]

  • Example: Let's compress all files in your public_html directory into an archive named public_html_archive.tar.gz:

cd public_html && tar -czvf public_html_archive.tar.gz *

Explanation:

  • cd public_html: Navigates to the directory containing the files to archive.
  • tar: Invokes the tar command.
  • -c: Creates a new archive.
  • -z: Compresses the archive using gzip compression (resulting in a .tar.gz extension).
  • -v: Provides verbose output, displaying the files being archived. (Optional)
  • f: Specifies the name of the archive file (optional, defaults to tar.out).
  • public_html_archive.tar.gz: The desired name for the archive file.
  • *: Represents all files in the current directory (use with caution!).

Bonus Tip: The --remove-files option removes the original files after archiving them. Use this with caution as it's a permanent deletion.

tar -czvf public_html_archive.tar.gz * --remove-files

 

2. Viewing Archive Contents with tar:

Before extracting an archive, it's often helpful to peek inside and see what it contains. The tar command allows you to list the archive's contents without actually extracting them.

  • Syntax:

tar -tvf [archive_name]

  • Example: Let's view the contents of our public_html_archive.tar.gz archive:

tar -tvf public_html_archive.tar.gz

This will display a list of filenames within the archive.

 

3. Copying Files from cPanel to Local Directory (Reverse SCP):

The scp (secure copy) command facilitates secure file transfers between your local machine and your cPanel account. This section demonstrates how to copy a single file from your cPanel's public_html directory to your local Downloads folder.

  • Syntax:

scp username@domain.com:[source_path] [destination_path]

  • Example: Let's copy a file named filename from your cPanel's public_html directory to your local Downloads folder (assuming your local username is the same as your cPanel username):

scp username@domain.com:public_html/filename ~/Downloads/

Explanation:

  • scp: Invokes the scp command.
  • username@domain.com: Your cPanel username and domain name.
  • public_html/filename: Specifies the source file location on your cPanel server.
  • ~/Downloads/: Represents your local Downloads folder (the ~ symbol expands to your home directory).

 

4. Recursively Copying Directory Contents (Reverse SCP):

What if you want to copy an entire directory and its contents from your cPanel account? The -r (recursive) option with scp enables you to achieve this.

  • Syntax:

scp -r username@domain.com:[source_directory] [destination_directory]

  • Example: Let's copy a directory named project from your cPanel's public_html directory to a new directory named project within your local Downloads folder:

scp -r username@domain.com:public_html/project ~/Downloads/project

 

Remember:

  • Ensure that you have added a key from your working machine to your cPanel.
  • Ensure you have sufficient permissions to access and copy files/directories on both the cPanel server and your local machine.
  • While downloading files is a safe operation, it's always a good practice to have a recent backup of your website files and database before making significant changes, especially on a live website.

 

WebHostingM Support

Remember: If you're a WebHostingM customer and encounter any challenges or require assistance with managing your hosting account, simply submit a ticket and our friendly engineers will be happy to help you resolve any challenges you may face.

Not a WebHostingM customer yet, but curious about the power of cPanel? WebHostingM offers fantastic cPanel hosting plans – check them out at our cPanel Marketplace and unlock a world of website management possibilities!

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