How to Use Web Disk in cPanel

Transferring files to and from your website normally requires an FTP program, of which there are many. Some are easier to learn than others, but have fewer options. If you are familiar with Windows Explorer, then you can use a program built into cPanel called Web Disk. This article will show you how to get started with Web Disk.

Alternate URL to cPanel Web Disk Introduction Movie

Inside your cPanel website control panel, there is a link to Web Disk. Note that you must be using cPanel version 11 or higher with the x3 theme. In the Files section, click the Web Disk icon. On your first visit, you will Create Web Disk Account. Enter a username and password.

If you have trouble creating a password or want hints on making a more secure password, there is a big button named Generate Password. The default is 12 characters with upper and lower case, numbers and symbols. You can change and one of those options. Longer passwords are more secure. When you are happy with the generated password, click the Use Password button to put it into the two boxes.

In the Directory box, the default is to access the root folder for that site, signified by a forward slash (/). You can enter any other folder to access upon connecting. When done, click the Create button and your new Web Disk is created. You will be asked to download a file to your desktop. That is a shortcut to the folder you selected. You can choose between standard or secure login. I recommend the secure option if your server has it, although the connection could be slower.

A new icon will be listed on the Web Disk page in the Web Disk Account Management section. It will show the Login username, the Directory to access and a button to Access Web Disk. You can access Web Disk from there, or from the icon you downloaded to your desktop. That is a quicker method and bypasses the cPanel login.

One thing I noticed is that the security warning box shows up behind the Explorer window. You have to minimize the window, click OK to close the warning, then enter your username and password to log in.

Once you log into Web Disk, you will see that the interface looks like Windows Explorer. To transfer files, click the Folders icon on top and navigate to your files. You will see the default folder being NetHood. That is a listing of all the folders and files on the website.

To see both your computer and the website files, minimize the current window and either double click the Web Disk icon on your desktop again, or open Windows Explorer. That will open a new window so you will be looking at the files on your computer. Resize the two windows so they are next to each other. In one window, usually the left side, navigate to the folder on your computer where your local files are stored. In the right window, you should see the files on your website. You can then turn off the folders view so the files lists will be next to each other.

The thumbnails view on the server side will not show icons like they do on your computer. Instead, either use the List or Details view by selecting it from the button bar. If you choose Details view and see the Internet Address column, right click on that column heading and deselect it. You already know which Internet Address you are accessing, so make that column will disappear.

To transfer files, just drag and drop them where you want them to go, just like you do in Windows Explorer. When done, close the server-side window to log out.

Web Disk is a good option to access your website files through secure connection. It is easier to learn than some of the FTP programs. If you do not have cPanel, ask your web host to install it, or move your website to a website Hosting company that has it already.

Jim Hutchinson
Website Managers Web Hosting with cPanel