Back up your website files with cPanel

What is a backup?

A backup is a spare copy of your files. If something breaks or gets deleted, you can put the copy back. It is like keeping a photo of your homework before you edit it.

cPanel is the control panel of your hosting account. File Manager is a tool inside it that shows your website files in the browser.

Method 1: Zip a folder in File Manager

This is good for one site or folder.

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Open File Manager.
3. Open the folder that holds your site. It is often public_html. To save the whole folder, go up one level to your home folder.
4. Right-click the folder and choose Compress. Compress means to pack files into one smaller file.
5. Select Zip Archive.
6. Name the file with today's date, for example backup-site. Click Compress File(s).
7. Click the new zip file, then click Download in the toolbar.
8. Save the file on your computer or on an external drive.
9. Delete the zip from the server after the download, because it uses space.

Method 2: Use the Backup tool

1. In cPanel, find the Files section.
2. Click Backup.
3. Under Partial Backups, click Home Directory to download your files.
4. Click Email Forwarders or the database links if you want those too.
5. Wait for the download to finish.

Some plans also include automatic backup tools such as JetBackup. Ask Hostvento support whether one is on your plan and how to restore from it.

Good habits

• Back up before any big change, such as an update or deleting files.
• Keep at least one copy off the server.
• Name files with dates so you can tell them apart.

Warning: restoring a backup replaces newer files. Be sure you want to go back before you do it. If you need help, open a support ticket.

Quick recap

• A backup is a spare copy of your site.
• Compress a folder in File Manager and download the zip.
• Or use cPanel Backup for the home directory and databases.
• Keep a copy outside the server.