How to Show Hidden Files in cPanel File Manager is a common question for website owners, developers, and administrators who need full control over their website configurations. In cPanel, many important system and website files are hidden by default — these are known as dotfiles because their names start with a period (.), such as .htaccess, .bash_profile, and .user.ini. These hidden files often contain critical settings that control site behavior, redirects, security, caching, and much more.
In this complete step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to show hidden files in cPanel File Manager safely and efficiently. Whether you’re troubleshooting, customizing your server settings, or performing advanced configuration, this guide will help you confidently locate, view, and modify hidden files without risking your website’s stability.
Why Are Hidden Files Important?
Hidden files often contain:
- Configuration settings (e.g.
.htaccess) - Server directives
- Rewrite rules
- Security settings
Editing these files allows you to control redirects, password protection, caching, and much more.
How to Show Hidden Files in cPanel File Manager — Step-by-Step
Step 1: Log in to Your cPanel Account
👉 Image Placeholder Here (Screenshot of cPanel login screen)
- Access your hosting account at:
https://yourdomain.com:2083 - Enter your username and password.
- Click Log In.
Step 2: Open File Manager
- From the cPanel dashboard, locate the Files section.
- Click on File Manager.
Step 3: Access File Manager Settings
- Inside File Manager, go to the upper-right corner.
- Click on Settings.
Step 4: Enable “Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)”
- A Preferences window will open.
- Check the box for:
✅ “Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)” - Click Save.
Step 5: View and Edit Hidden Files
- After saving, you’ll now see all hidden files starting with a dot (
.). - You can view, edit, copy, or download these files as needed.
Common Use Case: Editing the .htaccess File
- Redirects
- SSL enforcement
- Custom error pages
- Password protection
- Cache control
Always make a backup before modifying critical files like .htaccess to avoid website downtime.
Security Tip: Handle Hidden Files with Care
Since these files control sensitive website functions:
- Always back up before editing.
- Double-check syntax to avoid misconfigurations.
- Limit access permissions for security.
Need Help? Hostrago Support Is Here
If you’re uncomfortable editing hidden files, contact our expert support team:
👉 Contact Hostrago Support
For more useful cPanel tutorials, check out the Hostrago Knowledge Base.
Conclusion
How to Show Hidden Files in cPanel File Manager File Manager is simple but powerful. It allows you to fully control advanced website features and troubleshoot errors efficiently. Just be sure to handle changes carefully!
👉 For more expert hosting tutorials, visit our growing Hostrago Knowledge Base.
