Today we’ll learn how to extract a zip file in cPanel.
cPanel is a super popular web hosting control panel that makes managing your website files, databases, and more a breeze.
Extracting zip files is one of those handy tasks you’ll often need to do, whether it’s for website backups, new themes, or plugins.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to extract zip files in cPanel, so you can keep your website running smoothly.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro, our easy-to-follow instructions will make this process a cinch.
Let’s get to it!
What is a ZIP File?
Imagine a ZIP file as a magical suitcase that can shrink your files and folders to save space and make sharing a breeze.
Let’s peep into the fun world of ZIP files and see what they’re all about!
A ZIP file is a compressed archive that bundles one or more files or folders together.
They’re super handy for reducing the size of big files or grouping multiple files for easy transfer or storage.
When you compress a file into a ZIP format, it takes up less space on your disk and can be uploaded, downloaded, or shared online more efficiently.
Here are some cool ways people use ZIP files:
Packaging multiple files together for easier distribution or backup.
Shrinking large files to make them simpler to upload or email.
Compressing files to save space on web servers or local storage.
Archiving old files or folders to free up space while keeping the contents accessible.
The best part about ZIP files?
When you extract them, you get access to all the individual files and folders inside.
You can then view, edit, or work with them just like any other file on your computer.
This makes it super easy to manage the contents of the ZIP file and use them in your projects or on your website.
#1. Accessing cPanel to Extract Zip File
Let’s get you logged into cPanel so you can extract your zip file.
Step 1: Navigate to the Login Page
First things first, you need to find the cPanel login page.
Open up your web browser and type in one of these URLs, swapping out “example.com” for your actual domain name:
These links will take you straight to the cPanel login screen.
Step 2: Enter Your Credentials
Now, it’s time to log in.
On the login page, enter your cPanel username and password.
You usually get these details in a welcome email from your hosting provider.
Forgot your password? No worries, there’s a password reset option right there on the login page.
Step 3: Overview of the cPanel Dashboard
Woohoo, you’re in! Welcome to the cPanel dashboard.
This is your control center, neatly organized into sections for managing files, databases, email accounts, and more.
Spend a little time exploring to get familiar with everything—it’ll make managing your website a breeze!
#2. Navigating to the File Manager
The next up is accessing the file manager where your files, including the ZIP files exist.
The cPanel File Manager lets you handle your website files right from your web browser.
With its friendly interface, you can upload, download, edit, and organize your site’s content effortlessly.
Step 1: Access cPanel
Log in to your cPanel account as shown above.
Step 2: Locate the File Manager
Once inside cPanel, keep an eye out for the “Files” section.
Here, you’ll find the “File Manager” icon.
It might be under the “Files” category or in a separate section, depending on your cPanel theme.
Step 3: Open the File Manager
Click on the “File Manager” icon to open up the tool.
You’ll see the File Manager interface, which has two main parts:
Directory Tree: On the left, you’ll find a hierarchical structure showing your website’s file system, including all folders and subfolders.
You can expand or collapse the tree by clicking on the arrows or plus signs next to each folder.
Main File Area: On the right, this area displays the contents of the selected directory.
Files and folders are listed here, and you can perform various actions on them using the toolbar at the top.
The File Manager toolbar is loaded with icons and buttons for common actions like creating new folders, uploading and downloading files, deleting files, and more.
Just click the icons in the toolbar to get things done.
#3. Uploading the ZIP File (If Not Already Uploaded)
Let’s get that ZIP file uploaded to your server if not yet there.
Step 1: Open the File Manager
First things first, log in to your cPanel account and find the File Manager.
If you’re not sure where it is, just follow the steps from the previous section.
Step 2: Locate the “Upload” Button
Once you’re in the File Manager, look for the “Upload” button.
It should be at the top, possibly with an upward-pointing arrow icon or just labeled “Upload.”
Step 3: Select and Upload the ZIP File
Click on that “Upload” button to open a new window where you can choose your file.
Find the ZIP file on your computer, select it, and then hit “Open” or “Upload.”
Step 4: Monitor the Upload Progress
Now, just sit back and watch the progress bar.
The time it takes to upload depends on the size of your ZIP file and your internet speed.
Once the upload is complete, you’ll see the ZIP file listed in the main area of the File Manager.
You’re all set to extract it!
Let’s move on to that in the next section.
#4. Extracting the ZIP File: Let’s Get Those Files Out!
You’ve got your ZIP file uploaded to cPanel, and now it’s time to unpack it!
Let’s walk through the steps to extract your ZIP file using File Manager on cPanel on.
Step 1: Locate the ZIP File in the File Manager
First, open the File Manager in cPanel, just like you did before. Navigate to the folder where you uploaded your ZIP file.
Use the Directory Tree on the left to browse through your folders.
Once you’re in the right folder, look for your ZIP file in the main file area on the right.
Step 2: Right-Click (or Use the Options Menu) on the ZIP File
Found the ZIP file? Great! Right-click on it to open a context menu.
If you prefer, you can also click on the file once to select it and then look for the “More” option in the toolbar at the top of the File Manager.
Step 3: Select the “Extract” Option
In the context menu (or the “More” dropdown), find and click on the “Extract” option.
This will open the extraction settings dialog.
Step 4: Configure Extraction Settings (If Applicable)
In the extraction settings dialog, you might see an option to choose where the files will be extracted.
By default, they’ll go into the same directory as the ZIP file.
If you want them to go somewhere else, enter the desired path or select a folder using the Browse option.
Once you’re set, click the “Extract File(s)” button to start the process.
Step 5: Monitor the Extraction Process
After you hit the extract button, cPanel will start unpacking the files from the ZIP archive.
Once it’s done, you’ll see a confirmation message saying the extraction was successful.
You can then head back to the File Manager to check out your newly extracted files and folders.
#5. Verifying the Extraction
So, you’ve just unzipped your files in cPanel.
Awesome!
But wait, let’s make sure everything is in the right place and ready to go.
Here’s how you can check the extracted files and folders:
Step 1: Navigate to the Extracted Files
Go to the File Manager in cPanel and find the directory where you extracted the ZIP file.
If you used the default settings, the files should be in the same directory as the original ZIP file.
Click on the folder with the extracted files to open it up and take a look inside.
Step 2: Check the Extracted Files and Folders
Now, let’s make sure everything is as it should be.
Compare the extracted files and folders with the contents of the original ZIP file.
Look for the specific files or folders you expected, like your website code, images, or configuration files.
If you extracted a website backup, double-check that the file structure matches your website layout.
Step 3: Open and Test the Extracted Files (Optional)
This step is optional, but it can be really helpful.
Depending on what you extracted, you might want to open some of the files to make sure they’re working properly.
For example, if you extracted website files, try opening the HTML files in a web browser to see if they display correctly.
If you extracted database files, import them into your database management tool to check if they’re functional.
Step 4: Repeat the Verification Process for All Extracted Files
Got a bunch of files and folders?
No problem! Just repeat the verification process for each one to make sure everything was extracted successfully.
Check the file sizes and modification dates to confirm they match the original ZIP file contents.
And that’s it! You’re all set and ready to go.
Conclusion
Generally, the steps to extract a ZIP file in cPanel are super easy and helpful in managing your website files like a pro.
With these simple steps, you’ll be a file management whiz in no time, ready to handle website updates, backups, and more.
Don’t forget to explore other cool features in cPanel, like managing databases, setting up email accounts, and boosting your website’s performance.
All the best with file management!
